Travels from Alberta, Canada
Warren Macdonald's speaking fee falls within range: $15,000 to $20,000
A catastrophic moment redefined Warren Macdonald’s life in April 1997 when a one-ton boulder fell on him during an excursion on a remote Australian island. For two days the avid environmentalist lay trapped and alone. Warren survived the ordeal losing both legs at mid thigh, but he didn’t lose his ability to pursue his passion and live life to the fullest.
Though doctors told him he’d never walk again, Warren to this day is quick to point out, “I don’t recall them saying anything about cycling, kayaking, or climbing mountains…” Just ten months after his amputation, he scaled Cradle Mountain, but he didn’t stop there. In February 2003, Warren became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro.
Warren’s charisma and gripping story of resilience have made him an in-demand motivational speaker on the topics of change management, and overcoming adversity. He walks the talk, and that is the secret to his natural ability to connect with, and move people on an intellectual and emotional level. His story has been featured on Oprah, Larry King Live, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic, among other media outlets.
In April 1997 Warren set out on what was supposed to be a revitalizing, grounding, backpacking trip to Hinchinbrook Island, off the northeast coast of Australia. His life would never be the same again. Climbing to the summit of the island’s tallest peak, he became trapped beneath a one-ton boulder in a freak rock fall. His companion, Geert van Keulen, a Dutch traveller he’d met the day before, was his only hope for survival. As Warren lay crushed, Geert raced down the mountain to get help. Warren’s “test of will” lasted two days before a helicopter arrived, and he was rescued. The accident would cost him the loss of both legs, amputated at mid thigh.
Obviously, he survived, but Warren’s story doesn’t end there – far from it. It was after the accident that things got really interesting…
Just ten months later, Warren climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants. In February 2003, he became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro (19,222ft). More recently, in a spectacular effort requiring 2800 pull-ups over 3 days, he made an ascent of America’s tallest cliff face, El Capitan.
Warren Macdonald shares the gripping story about how his passion for finding connection in nature led to him getting trapped under a refrigerator-sized boulder on a remote island off the coast of Australia. He recalls in vivid detail the two thought provoking nights that he waited out in the wilderness, and the new life he began after his miraculous rescue.
While he quickly learned to be independent in daily life despite having lost his legs and needing a wheelchair, he could not help but wonder if he could find a way to regain that one past time that gave him clarity, peace of mind, and truly made him feel alive. “I eventually discovered that you can put mountain bike wheels on a wheelchair,” Warren says, as he narrates how he found ways to reclaim his ability to venture into nature and “experience it on its own terms.”
Inspirational keynote speaker Warren Macdonald helps organizations navigate uncertainty and build resilience. Whether your audience is from finance or sales, healthcare or a Fortune 500, Warren can help your team take on a proactive attitude and renew their sense of purpose and perspective. Using his dramatic story of survival and adjustment, Warren inspires your audience to equip themselves with a mindset that seeks solutions and sees opportunities rather than obstacles.
Challenge of Change: Finding Opportunity in Adversity Experience Warren’s authenticity and insight through an inspirational presentation with four outcomes:
One Step Beyond: Setting and Reaching Impossible Goals This keynote presentation is designed to provide you with three outcomes:
It’s the End of the World as We Know it, and I Feel Fine In this keynote presentation, Warren shares the lessons and tools he’s used to create a remarkable life from what many would have considered a “game over” scenario. Outcomes include:
The Power of Perception: Building a Breakthrough Mindset If we can’t see where it is we need to go, what are our chances of getting there? If your team or your members can’t see where you’re going, what are the chances they’ll get onboard? In navigating change, and overcoming the challenges that come with it, we need to address the foundation; the root cause of why we often get stuck or disengaged, and that is, how we perceive change in the first place.
This keynote presentation is designed to hit “reset” on how your team sees their role in your organization. Expect them to come away empowered, engaged, inspired and ready to take action. They’ll begin to see challenges and opportunities with fresh perspectives and renewed vision.
Key Takeaways
Return on Resilience: Bouncing Back is Just the Beginning If there’s one certainty, in business and in life, it’s that we will all face challenges; that we will all, at some point be faced with a seeming insurmountable obstacle or obstacles. When that happens, our greatest ally is found in our ability to endure; to adapt. When that happens, it pays to have banked some resilience.
This keynote presentation focuses on what we can do to prepare for our challenges in advance. On how we can fortify ourselves against the curveballs and roadblocks before they happen by practicing resilience.
This keynote presentation is designed to move your team from “I can’t” to “Bring it!” To instill the understanding that by facing our challenges; seeking them out even, we build the strength and resilience required when bigger problems come our way.
Ariane Delessert ExxonMobil
“I would recommend him highly to anyone seeking a speaker who will engage an audience with an inspiring, humorously delivered message about how much any individual can accomplish, despite setbacks and obstacles, if they act with determination, perseverance, and a positive attitude. Warren demonstrates those qualities in spades, and an hour with him is an hour well spent.”
Bob Russell Assistant Commissioner, Atlantic Region, Canada Revenue Agency Vice-Chair, Nova Scotia Federal Council
“It has been several months now since you spoke to our sales team in Seattle and I wanted to let you know that your compelling presentation has had both a meaningful and lasting impact on our group.
Our team is still referencing the things that you talked about and I was very pleased and excited to learn that you have been presenting to Dex sales teams in other parts of my region, as well as, other regions in RH Donnelley, because I know, first hand, how powerful your message is.
You are an outstanding speaker with the ability to captivate your audience from your first words. Your use of humor allowed us to connect with the personal stories you shared and left our team inspired, motivated, and more importantly enlightened as to what they can achieve when they change the way they see the world.
Having worked with other speakers in the past, I was highly impressed with your caring to learn our business. You tailored your presentation far more than I was used to so that our goals were met.
Our team has set a huge goal; some would say insurmountable. After hearing you speak the goal seemed highly attainable by all. Many said, ′If he can accomplish what he has, I′ll never complain again… we can do this!′ By speaking directly to us, by drawing parallels linking your challenges to ours, you have fostered a belief in self within our team that has strengthened our resolve to turn our goals into reality.
We now have a blown up picture of a mountain in our office that reminds us that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to.
Thank you for that!”
Cathy Crump Regional VP Sales, Western Region Dex, an RH Donnelley Company
“Your message was right on point! We were very pleased with the way you conveyed the importance of choosing to overcome whatever obstacles life throws your way. Your genuine account of how you have faced physical disability and continued to excel in your endeavors provided the kind of inspiration that our practitioners and other employees needed to hear.”
Daryl Williams Director of Marketing Programs Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics
“Your keynote presentation on Monday was a huge success (in case you couldn′t tell by the standing ovation you received!). I′ve had so many people come to tell me that you were the best speaker we′ve ever had and how much it meant to them to hear your story. You have an amazing spirit that resonates in everything you say and do.
I highly recommend Warren as a keynote speaker for any organization. For those that may be facing hurdles that seem insurmountable, Warren will be the key that opens the door to what is possible when you confront challenges and move forward with determination and resolve.”
Laurie Watters-Smith Human Resources Coordinator Alberta Envirofuels Inc.
“You were able to effectively demonstrate to the audience that difficulties faced become achievable challenges if you have the desire and strength of will.
Your presentation was informing, heartfelt and humorous. You easy-going style made the audience instantly warm to you and feel connected to your experience.”
Louise McLaren Novo Nordisc Pharmaceuticals
“For days our staff continued to discuss some of the many points you left with us. I think that in addition to helping point out just how capable we are as individuals you also did a good job in reminding us how much stronger we are as a team. For any organization that is interested in helping their people realize how endless their potential really is I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend they have you spend some time with them sharing your remarkable story.”
Michael Fish President, Keir Surgical Ltd.
“The impact your visit had on our organization has been profound. Four weeks later my team are still discussing what you taught us and continue to reflect on how your attitude to life, obstacles and challenges can benefit them in their own lives…
The relevance, clarity and poignancy of your presentation and subsequent conversations with our people has helped us refocus on the tasks we have to complete and bought the team closer together…
We cannot recommend highly enough to any other organization the benefits of engaging you to speak with them.”
Stephen Peacock Motability Finance Limited
I want to take this opportunity to thank you once again for helping to make our event a huge success. You understood from our pre-event conversation exactly what it was we needed to convey and delivered that message in an engaging and thought provoking way.
By skillfully blending your story with challenges currently facing our industry (obviously, you′d done your homework) you managed to convey to us not so much what we wanted to hear, but what we needed to hear.
Your message “when we change the way we see the world, we change the world” resonated profoundly with our group, reinforcing for us how our perception, beginning with the way we see ourselves, effects others. Helping us to see this so clearly has proved invaluable in our dealing, not only with our clients, but amongst ourselves. For this we thank you.
Steven Smith Director of Marketing Shoppers Home Health Care
Thank you so much for your presentation at our 2007 Dex Spokane kickoff in January. I know I speak for my team and our guests, as well as myself when I say it was a huge success!
In the past, speakers we′ve engaged for these occasions have either been sales or industry professionals. This year we chose you, however, because we realized we were facing an enormous challenge with the task we′d set for ourselves, and reaching our objective was going to take a whole lot more than just sales skills and industry knowledge. This year was about strength of mind and determination and refusing to say “quit.” We needed somebody to open our minds and boost our courage and I must say, you definitely did that!
Your words and the story you told us were THE topic of conversation for the three days we were together. And that′s exactly what I was hoping would be the case. I wanted my team to remember they alone are responsible for their success. I wanted them to re-connect with that inner strength some of them had forgotten they possessed. You helped us find that connection, Warren.
As we move into this campaign, thanks to you, we′re more focused, more confident, and more determined than ever that we can and will overcome any challenge we face.
With warm regards and my thanks,
Vicki Hefley Regional Sales Director, Western Region Dex, an RH Donnelly Company
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Speaker rating
Comments about seeing this speaker live? (This field not required to submit a star rating.)
Name *
Email *
Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.
On the night of April 9, 1997, Warren Macdonald, a fit and experienced bushwalker, set out to climb Mount Bowen on Hinchinbrook Island, an unspoiled tropical paradise off the Australian coast. These would be his last steps as a fully intact human being: a freak rock fall pinned him for two days alone under a one-ton boulder, resulting in a double leg amputation. A Test of Will is a story both tragic and inspiring, conveying the horror of what happened and the extraordinary spirit that helped Macdonald survive a seemingly impossible ordeal.
Order Here
Call us / email us / check availability and fee for your favorite speaker.
