Matt McFadyen: Turning Negativity Into Brilliant Success
Matt McFadyen
- Record-breaking explorer with successful expeditions to the North Pole and Antarctica
- Shares stories of the near-fatal capsize off the coast of Antarctica that inspired drastic change in the course of his life
- Successful speaker, delivering over 300 presentations on four continents using his unique personal experiences to inspire teamwork and leadership
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Matt McFadyen is a world-class storyteller who addresses adventure, leadership, team work, motivation, and inspiration. From dragging heavy sleds to the North Pole, to sailing small yachts through some of the world’s deadliest oceans, adventurer Matt McFadyen has pushed himself and others to the ends of the earth, testing the limits of human potential. He has been a part of and a leader to teams in some of the toughest conditions on the planet. This includes three record-breaking expeditions to the North Pole and two long-haul sailing expeditions to Antarctica.
Expedition and Adventure. In 2004, accompanied by four like-minded individuals, 22-year old McFadyen set sail onboard a 43-foot yacht bound for Antarctica. The 54-day expedition would take him and the crew across one of the most deadliest and dangerous oceans on the planet – The Great Southern Ocean. Storms of mammoth intensity engulfed the small yacht for days on end, testing the resolve of the five weary sailors. On the return voyage, one thousand miles from land, a fifty-foot wall of water exploded in the darkness and threw the tiny yacht upside down. This near-fatal capsize was the catalyst for change in McFadyen’s life, and he still uses it as his drive to continue raising the bar for himself and others.
Eighteen months after returning from Antarctica, he became the youngest Australian to reach the North Pole. McFadyen later returned to the North Pole on two other occasions as an expedition leader.
Motivational Speaker. As a keynote speaker and facilitator McFadyen has worked with organizations all over the world to engage, align, and inspire leaders and their teams. Using his unique personal experiences in the adventure world, he has delivered over 300 presentations on four continents and partnered with organizations across all sectors of business. He also has a virtual presentation designed specifically for remote attendees.
Matt McFadyen’s passion for life, his overall presence, and his unique ability to connect with any audience make him a must see individual and speaker.
Antarctica: A Journey to the Ends of the Earth. As a 22 year old, Matt and 4 others set sail aboard a 43 ft yacht bound for Antarctica on a 54 day expedition across one of the deadliest and dangerous oceans on the planet. After a near fatal storm nearly a thousand miles from land, Matt’s and the team’s heroic fight for survival sparked a change in Matt’s life and the event became the foundation of his leadership journey.
North Pole: Sitting Still Means Going Backwards. Matt’s brush with death in the icy waters of the Great Southern Ocean ignited a passion to lead others to the ends of the earth. Matt became the youngest Australian to reach the North Pole, returning as an expedition co-leader on 2 more occasions. Surviving -45°C to battling ice drifts that move the team backwards while dragging heavy sleds, Matt knows the perseverance needed to lead a team through challenge, change and ambiguity.
A Journey: To Leadership. In 5 short years Matt went from being a 22 year old novice adventurer to co leading his 3rd expedition to the North Pole & partnering with PricewaterhouseCoopers on an 18 month firm wide engagement program. Join Matt as he delivers the insights into his Journey to leadership. Not only will the audience walk away engaged & inspired but they will gain valuable knowledge & tips to accelerate their own journey to leadership.
Beyond the Circle:Getting Outside the Box. In the summer of 2013, Matt McFadyen attempted and successfully completed his most ambitious and challenging expedition to date. Matt and partner Cam Webb rowed, sailed and dragged a 17.5 foot open rowboat across 2,000 miles of ice-choked Arctic waters known as the Northwest Passage. This 41-day expedition would push Matt to both his physical and mental limits.
Matt’s presentation focuses on three key, very relevant areas, including:
- Recovery
- Sustaining Performance Over the Long Term
- Balanced Leadership: Focusing on Goals, Relationship, and Health
In his presentation, Matt shares the detailed preparation and planning, execution and the sheer determination he and Cam showed to complete this incredible expedition, all while giving organizations relevant and tangible tips to be better leaders.