Along with the emergence of tracksuit pants as acceptable workwear, one of the biggest pandemic silver linings was the escalation of our virtual game. Online platforms like Zoom single-handedly revolutionised the global meetings and events space, opening us up to a world of possibilities – literally! Down here in Oz, the best Motivational Speakers on the planet used to be largely inaccessible to all but those with the biggest budgets. The addition of flights, accommodation, travel time and expenses to venue hire and catering costs prohibited most from hiring a big-name headliner. But now? With Wi-Fi on your side, your options are endless.
To save you trawling through those endless options, we’ve put together our Top 10 International Motivational Speakers – the best of the best. These 10 dynamic and captivating storytellers all have incredible presence online, with a wonderful ability to provide maximum impact and engagement over the airwaves – get ready to be blown away!
Top 10 International Motivational Speakers
1. Bear Grylls
Former British Special Forces Soldier, TV Presenter and Best-Selling Author, Bear Grylls, is one of the most recognisable adventurers in the world. One of the youngest climbers ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest (despite breaking his back in a parachuting accident in Africa), Bear earned his reputation for courage and resilience early on. Millions of fans around the globe now tune in weekly to watch him pit his legendary survival skills against the worst of Mother Nature on some of the world’s most-watched TV shows. Bear is also a best-selling author, having written over 90 books, selling over 15 million copies worldwide – including his autobiography, “Mud, Sweat and Tears”, which spent 15 weeks at Number 1 in the Sunday Times bestseller list. Bear’s resilient mindset and astonishing achievements, recounted during his high-energy presentations, are powerful motivators for any team! Read more about Bear here.
2. Erin Brockovich
While working as a file clerk in a law office, Erin Brockovich uncovered what would end up being one of the most publicised corporate cover-ups in history. Through exhaustive instigative work, Erin discovered that utility giant PG & E had been leaking toxic Chromium 6 into the groundwater in Hinkley, California, with tragic consequences for local residents. This discovery led to the largest direct-action lawsuit of its kind, and eventually the largest toxic tort injury settlement in US history. In 2000, Julia Roberts starred in the Oscar-winning movie based on Erin’s life, making Erin Brockovich a household name. Erin continues to be involved in numerous environmental projects worldwide and is one of the most requested motivational speakers on the international circuit, sharing her empowering story and encouraging others to stand up and make a difference. Read more about Erin here.
3. Simon Sinek
Best known for popularising the concept of finding your ‘Why’, which was the topic of the second most-watched TED talk of all time, Simon Sinek is a visionary thinker with rare intellect. Passionate about teaching leaders and organisations how to inspire people so that they go home every day feeling fulfilled, Simon’s unconventional and innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention. Along with multinational corporations, Simon has shared his ideas with the United Nations, the United States Congress and the senior leadership of the United States Air Force and United States Marine Corps. He’s also authored two best-selling books and shares his optimistic views on stage as one of the most highly-regarded and captivating motivational speakers in the world. Read more about Simon here.
4. Dame Helena Morrissey
When Dame Helena Morrissey, the only woman in a team of 16 Fund Managers, missed out on a promotion due to ‘doubt over her commitment with a baby’, she decided enough was enough. She resolved to take control of her career, to provide for her family (which now includes nine children) and to help other women. She joined Newton Investment Management, was appointed CEO after seven years and over the next 15 years more than trebled company profits. In 2010 Helena launched the 30% Club to improve the gender balance on UK corporate boards, and as a result women now represent over 30% of FTSE350 directors. There are also now fourteen 30% Clubs throughout the world, including the world’s largest cross-company mentoring scheme. Nominated by Fortune magazine as one of the world’s 50 Greatest Leaders, Helena was also named Financial Times Person of the Year in 2017. As a speaker, Helena offers unparalleled vision, experience and practical solutions for both companies and talent. Read more about Helena here.
5. Colonel Chris Hadfield
As children, we are often told to ‘reach for the stars’. And as the first Canadian to walk in space, Chris Hadfield fulfilled a life-long dream by doing just that! Chris is a heavily decorated astronaut, engineer and pilot, having been awarded the Order of Canada, the Meritorious Service Cross and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. Chris was also named the Top Test Pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. He has flown three space missions, building two space stations, performing two spacewalks, crewing the shuttle and commanding the International Space Station. Oh, and he’s also authored three international bestsellers, co-created and hosted the internationally acclaimed BBC series Astronauts and joined actor Will Smith to host the National Geographic series One Strange Rock! With riveting stories and powerful advice, Chris’ entertaining presentations deliver valuable lessons on commitment, intelligence, hard work and sacrifice. Read more about Chris here.
6. Abby Wambach
Abby Wambach is a soccer icon. As a two-time Olympic Gold Medallist, FIFA World Cup Champion and six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, Abby is also widely considered one of the most dominant players in soccer history. Following her retirement from soccer in 2015, Abby embarked on a mission to empower women, becoming is a vocal activist for equality and inclusion and co-founding the Wolfpack Endeavour in an effort to revolutionise leadership development for women. Her first book, WOLFPACK, became a #1 New York Times Best Seller, while her podcast was named the #1 New Podcast of 2021 on Apple Podcasts. A true leader on and off the field, Abby inspires audiences around the globe by sharing her journey, her winning habits and her leadership insights. Read more about Abby here.
7. Robyn Benincasa
Robyn Benincasa is a veteran firefighter, World Champion Adventure racer, Guinness World Record Endurance Kayaker and best-selling author. She’s also recognised globally as one of the best speakers you’re ever likely to hear. Through 20+ years of gruelling and life-affirming Adventure Racing challenges, Robyn has emerged with a truly unique perspective on what it takes to build the kind of world-class teams that triumph in the face of great adversity. Robyn inspires people to grab life with one hand, grab their teammates with the other, and to create that special magic that makes everyone better together than they ever would have been alone. Her keynotes are powerful, impactful and packed with practical, real-world takeaways that inspire peak performance and exceptional leadership. Grab hold of your seats, Robyn’s incredible stories and breathtaking footage of extreme teams in action is an invigorating ride that will leave audiences energised and inspired. Read more about Robyn here.
8. Chris Gardner
If you haven’t read Chris Gardner’s New York Times and Washington Post #1 Bestseller ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, or seen the critically acclaimed film it inspired, you’re one of the few. Born into a cycle of child abandonment, abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, fear, poverty and illiteracy – and later as a working homeless Veteran with a toddler son – Chris Gardner overcame immense challenges to create the life he’s living now. Chris introduces audiences to the concepts of Spiritual Genetics (that which makes you You), the Universal Dream (you can do or be anything you want to do or be) and the importance of having the ‘P’s’ in our life – Promise, Passion and a Plan. He also shows us how owning our actions gives us the power to change things. A captivating speaker with a powerful story, Chris inspires audiences to see real beauty in the world. Read more about Chris here.
9. Risha Grant
Risha Grant has always been motivated by her passion to correct societal “isms” like racism, sexism, classism and plain old stupidism. It’s her personal mission to expose the subtleties and values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion while shining a light on the impacts they create. Featured in publications including Forbes, Harvard Business Review and The Financial Times, Risha has received a host of honours including being named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR in 2021. Risha uses honest, humorous and vulnerable storytelling to talk about the destructive power of unconscious bias, micro-aggressions and other actions that perpetuate discrimination and inequality to motivate audiences to embrace acceptance – without evoking judgement or blame. Audiences leave with easily applied principles for finding respect, understanding and inclusion both personally and professionally. Read more about Risha here.
10. Warren MacDonald
Warren MacDonald’s inspirational story of survival began in April 1997 when he became trapped beneath a boulder in a freak rock fall when climbing the tallest peak on Queensland’s Hinchinbrook Island. Rescued after two days, Warren’s legs had to be amputated at mid-thigh. Incredibly, with just 10 months of rehabilitation behind him, Warren succeeded in climbing Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. Then in 2003, Warren then became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, and later that year climbed America’s tallest cliff face, El Capitan. He’s also the first over-the-knee amputee to ascend Canada’s ‘Weeping Wall’, a frozen waterfall. Warren has appeared on numerous news and current affairs programs, including ‘Larry King Live’ and ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’, inspiring millions of people to never give up, no matter the challenge. Warren’s gripping story and his natural ability to connect with people also makes him one of the world’s best speakers, motivating others to achieve the ‘unachievable’. Read more about Warren here.
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With a world full of incredibly inspiring talent, compiling a list of the Top 10 International Motivational Speakers was no easy task! If you’d like us to curate a list relevant to your specific needs and goals, simply get in touch with us for a chat.