Peter van Kets

Peter van Kets is one of South Africa’s top adventurers who shares the lessons he’s learnt as an international keynote speaker. Globally known as a specialist around business’s ability to persevere in a turbulent and harsh economy, Peter has worked with major corporations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, China and the USA.

His latest presentation is “Grin & Bear It – adapt  and thrive 2023”, based on his latest book, ‘Grin & Bear It’, published in 2022.

Taking the lessons learnt from his expeditions, he inspires audiences with stories about survival, courage, perseverance, passion, loneliness, tenacity, grit, amazing teamwork – and the will to win.

His presentations take people on powerful, life-altering journeys, changing the way they think about themselves and their businesses.

A passionate conservationist and published author, Peter teaches people to seek out the extraordinary in every venture, which demands clear vision, dynamic strategy, precise planning and preparation, absolute honesty and integrity, uprightness of character and self-discipline. Accustomed to standing ovations after presentations, this humble, engaging, ever-reliable speaker is a favourite on the speaking circuit, both locally and internationally.

If anyone is equipped to share lessons on what it means to overcome adversity and persevere against the odds, it is Peter. Few people have endured the harsh realities of nature that he has – and triumphed. His inspirational keynotes, supported by thrilling images and videos of his expeditions, present real-life stories of grit and survival – ideal for today’s corporate audiences.

Peter has a way of pushing people out of their comfort zones and demonstrating how vision, passion and self-discipline can drive excellence. In the business world, everyone is immersed in real-life drama, says Peter – and his aim is to change the way people think about themselves and their circumstances. Calling himself a “normal guy who happens to do exceptional things”, Peter leads employees and teams in planning, strategy, conflict management and other skills, to get the most out of their lives.

A ‘master of endurance’, Peter always plans to win and he shows companies how they can do the same.

Having made his name winning the Woodvale Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race together with friend Bill Godfrey, and being the first African to row unsupported across the Atlantic, Peter is a natural leader who drives audiences to be courageous and ambitious in their own lives.

Whether addressing CEOs, sales teams or other conference delegates, he crafts a message of tenacity and hopes that everyone can relate to.

His morst-requested talks include ‘Impossible is Nothing’, ‘Leaving a Legacy’, ‘The Power of Team’ and ‘The Success Factor – GRIT!’.

Peter is one of the world’s top endurance adventurers and speakers; amongst many others, he

  • has rowed across the Atlantic twice and trekked unsupported to the South Pole
  • participated in an epic dog sled expedition to the North Pole
  • joined forces with photographer Jacques Marais to complete 5 Beyond Expeditions (focusing on southern and central Africa)
  • wrote ‘The Eighth Summit’ (published in 2014
  • was named ‘Adventurer of the Year’ in 2011
  • has won the ‘South African Premiers’ and Eastern Cape Sports Star of the Year awards
  • writes inspirational columns for a variety of magazines

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"Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your amazing story with our group yesterday. Your presentation was very well received and was referred to by many during the course of the evening (and will, I am sure, provide food for thought for many days and weeks to come!). Thanks again and keep well!"

Johnson & Johnson

"Peter van Kets epic solo row across the Atlantic is currently the appropriate example to inspire all South Africans to face our challenges ' and succeed. His amazing story epitomises South African tenacity ' and the will to win'..It is extraordinarily inspirational!"

Optimal Energy

"I have used Pete extensively in strategic facilitation as the opening presentation to events. His presentation and his story of overcoming the most incredible adversity fits perfectly into any break away, conference or strategic facilitation. If you haven't used Peter yet, you're missing out. Please feel free to contact me for any further information on this amazing presenter!"

Global Business Solutions

"I highly rate Peter as a public speaker. He comes across very well- most sincerely and with tons of passion and charisma. His story is an epic one and he holds the audience in the palm of his hand. The audience leave feeling very motivated and with an amazing story to reflect on. He is both humorous and humble in the telling of his tale."

Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes

"We had the very fortunate opportunity to have Peter share with us and our clients his experiences and valuable life lessons he gained in his recent solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. It was a truly powerful and inspiring presentation that sparked a flood of positive feedback from our clients who received a tremendous amount of value from the talk, taking lessons and principles back with them that can be applied in both their personal lives and business environment. We will certainly be challenged in future client appreciation events to have our clients as captivated as they were at this event."

Nedbank

'What a truly remarkable and inspirational person Peter is, we thoroughly enjoyed his presentation - Our leadership really enjoyed his enthusiastic, thought-provoking discussion... More importantly, however, is the fact that everyone was still talking about his courage and tenacity the following day... we've had many guest speakers in the past, but the group agreed he is one of the very best!"

T-Systems South Africa (Pty)Ltd

"Peter, you were absolutely awesome! I have been doing these monthly breakfasts for 5 years now and you are only the second speaker out of over 60 to get a standing ovation.The way you present and come across is phenomenal. You were so inspirational. I watched the people, they were hanging on your every word. People were telling me they could have listened to you for another hour. Well done and thank you for helping to make a difference in people's lives. You certainly made a difference in the lives of the 120 people attending the breakfast."

Kevin ChaplinUbuntu $ Amy Biehl Foundation

' Peter's talk was definitely one of the very best I have heard - and I have heard many! His description of the expeditions he has undertaken are a fantastic example of the vision, planning, courage and discipline required to succeed in any venture. The talk is filled with insights of leadership, teamwork, focus and the ability to endure almost unbelievable stress and hardship. He is an outstanding example of a truly authentic and humble hero.'

Professor Andy AndrewsMIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

"Many thanks again for joining us at Sun City and sharing your amazing achievements . I always thought you guys must have a few screws in the wrong way, and now I'm convinced !! No ordinary person could do what you have. Seriously you made a huge contribution to our conference."

Sullivan O’CarrollNestlé

"Mastery of self is an essential pre-requisite to leading others. The story of Pete's journey provides amazing insights into this skill. It is a powerful catalyst for personal and team reflection - totally inspirational".

Mercedes Benz South Africa

"He is an amazing and gifted speaker ' he had my absolute attention for the full presentation. Not once during his entire presentation did I think of anything else."

Wylde & Runchman Attorneys

"Pete's presentation of his life experiences is inspiring, moving and extremely motivational. His ability to link his secret of success and apply it to the business world and your own life is realistic and apt. One realizes that no matter what, the mind is not only exceptional but in most cases an untapped resource with unlimited potential. You just need to realize this!'

Tiger Culinary

"Peter van Kets is special and so is his presentation. It reveals the unimaginable extent of the emotional and physical demands that some exceptional humans are prepared to endure in pursuit of a goal they consider sufficiently important. He shows that his success is based on his belief that he would win, expressed even before he began; his understanding that the mind is the barrier that must be overcome since it quits long before the body reaches its limits. His lecture uses a modern adventure of epic proportion to teach human and business lessons that are timeless."

Sports Science Institute of SA

"There is something so good about Peter van Kets and his presentation'so very good for the inside of his audience. You're left with an elation and celebration bubbling up from deep down inside of you."

"Truly inspiring. Besides a powerful and professional presentation, Pete can talk from a position of having done the extraordinary. Highly recommended."

Real People (Pty) Ltd

"Inspirational, humbling and motivating. This real life experience and achievement impacted more than just generic motivational words!"

Distell Ltd

"Thanks for coming up and sharing your experiences and words of wisdom with us. The talk was very well received and appreciated by all. Certainly the best ever speaker we have had."

Life Group