PASSION

ENDURANCE

RESILIENCE


  • Professional Adventurer Inspirational Speaker

    Peter Van Kets


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ADAPT AND THRIVE

Stay Focused - Stay Inspired - Stay Passionate - Build Resilience

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PETER VAN KETS - is a South African professional endurance adventurer, speaker and bestselling author. As an inspirational speaker he shares the hard lessons he’s learnt during his expeditions through a series of powerful keynotes as well as team and leadership interventions. These are all immersive, emotive and compelling presentations backed up with gripping visuals.

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MY BOOKS


"Peter van Kets is the personification of the south Africa's true national asset- a nation who's people poses inexhaustible resilience. Apart from being uplifting and motivating, this book powerfully re-affirms to each of us how it is entirely possible to do much better, to achieve our goals, to surpass or wildest dreams. Read it." ALEC HOGG, BIZNEWS

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Available @ R250 - Postage is R100 (POSTNET/PEP)


The word “adventure” is deeply entrenched in the soul of man. Nations have been built, wars have been won, and discoveries have been made all in its name. The great challenge of the modern age is the Seven Summits, scaling the highest peak on all seven continents, but The Eighth Summit is about inspiring the human spirit.

Order Today

Available @ R250 - Postage is R100 (POSTNET/PEP)

INSPIRATION IN THE MIDST OF A STORM



A series of six 10-minute videos, specifically designed for your business, to inspire and motivate.

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MY BOOKS

"Peter van Kets is the personification of the south Africa's true national asset- a nation who's people poses inexhaustible resilience. Apart from being uplifting and motivating, this book powerfully re-affirms to each of us how it is entirely possible to do much better, to achieve our goals, to surpass or wildest dreams. Read it."
ALEC HOGG, BIZNEWS

Grin & Bear It is available for R250 - Postage is R100 (POSTNET/PEP) - Use the order link below:

Order Today

The word “adventure” is deeply entrenched in the soul of man. Nations have been built, wars have been won, and discoveries have been made all in its name. The great challenge of the modern age is the Seven Summits, scaling the highest peak on all seven continents, but The Eighth Summit is about inspiring the human spirit.

The Eight Summit is available for R250 - Postage is R100 (POSTNET/PEP) - Use the order link below:

Order Today

EXPEDITIONS

Peter Van Kets Expeditions will take you out of your comfort zone to the highest, driest, windiest, coldest, most beautiful and most rugged places on the planet




Keynote / Motivational Talks

HAVE A LOOK AT SOME OF MY TALKS BELOW

RESOLVE

This presentation takes a fresh look at how to foster passion, harness that passion to create discipline, and eventually construct a process to drive the passion and discipline towards success. 

GRIT

There can be no doubt that we conduct our personal and business ventures in a dynamic, turbulent world. Given the ever-changing circumstances, how do we adapt and thrive? How do we achieve and sustain true success? How do we fulfil our purpose?

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING

To truly understand “impossible”, we need to take on the things we previously considered impossible. On that journey, we will be faced with times when disaster seems imminent. When we overcome the first moment of imminent disaster, and then the next and the next, we begin to understand that “impossible” is a self-imposed mental limitation.

VIRTUAL MOTIVATION

The planet was been in in a tempest for a while. The way we live and operate is unsustainable; the economic inequality is indefensible; the way we travel, eat and deal with waste simply cannot continue.

THE LEADING EDGE

Peter Van Kets and a team of leadership experts explore the lessons from his expeditions, and guide you through applying them to your life and work.

LEAVING A LEGACY

This talk focuses on the 5 438km unsupported pairs Atlantic Rowing Race of 2007/2008, and is aimed at the leaders of tomorrow.

News / Media / Inspiration

Watch Peter's amazing journeys on his YouTube channel

How important is enthusiasm really?

A few days off olong the Wild Coast

South African Adventurer Peter van Kets

Training for Uncertainty


Adapting to change and thriving in a dynamic and stressful environment

"Change is inevitable in life. You can either resist it and potentially get run over by it, or you can choose to co-operate with it, adapt to it and learn how to benefit from it. It is an opportunity for growth."

I spoke at a leadership conference on 16 July for the amazing research and development team of Mercedes Benz at Deidesheim in Germany. Adapting to change and thriving in a dynamic and stressful environment was a key topic of the conference and one that I have written about in my new book 'Grin and Bear It'.

WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

GROW Leadership Conference
Delegates - 7 September 2022

“Extraordinary what a privilege to witness, to hear and to feel the wisdom of the impossibility of courage.” “Phenomenally inspiring and encouraging, good linkage with what GROW does in “setting direction” “Fantastic storyteller” “Inspirational and thought provoking.” “Unbelievable – the best speaker I have ever heard.” “Excellent” “Absolutely fantastic – incredible” “Truly inspirational talk” “Very fascinating stories of endurance that tie up perfectly with business” “Extraordinary human being – different approach to resilience” “No words just incredible!”

Old Mutual
Henno Senekal - Marketing Manager

From my first engagement with Peter, I was really impressed. His professionalism as a motivation speaker, his punctuality and dealing with unexpected challenges on the day of the event is a testimony of how he approach life. Peter is a “challenge accepted” person, and most certainly a “+1” individual. His presentation was phenomenal - world class. If you have not had the chance to listen to the Peter van Kets story, you are missing out on something brilliant - very special.

VdW&Co
Marisa Jacobs - Association Management Service

What a fascinating speakers, without a doubt the best I have ever seen!!!!! I am so looking forward to booking him for my other clients! The audience really loved him!

Adcock Ingram
Andy hall - Deputy Chief Executive and Financial Director

Peter is a giant among men, and moreover so humble in the manner in which he describes overcoming the most brutal physical and mental struggles. As a leadership team, despite experiencing tough times, we left buoyed by the fact that we too have the ability to push through to our vision.

Illovo Sugar Limited
Geoff Trott - GM Agriculture (Technical Services)

Peter van Kets’ mindset and achievement as an extreme sportsman and adventurer is exemplary for motivation of business and personal endeavours beyond the norm. Very fitting for inaugurating our Cane Centre of Excellence.Thanks to Peter for a job well done.

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Professor Andy Andrews - Head of Academics (Business School)

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.

Hertz
Ria Baas - Head of PR

Peter addressed our sales group last night and shared his extraordinary personal and emotional journey with us. It was incredible inspiration to review what is important to us as individuals and how to achieve those goals we thought were mere dreams. Thank you for fitting us in your busy schedule, much appreciated! You are touching many people with your magical stories.

NetApp
Shiri Castellan - Marketing Manager MEA

Thank you so much for your presentation, I don’t know why you don’t make them all 3 hours as your talk was riveting, it didn’t feel long at all, on the contrary we would gladly have listened for longer J. We ALL found your talk incredibly inspiring.

SA Mint
Natanya Van Niekerk

This is just a short note to say thank you for your real yet profound presentation about the centenary race to the South Pole. We’ve received only positive feedback from our clients and stakeholders – they all think you are stark raving mad, but air it with awe. Thank you again for capturing our South African Heritage in the silver coins struck at the South Pole as a world first – truly, you made us proud.

Afrimat Limited
Hylton Hale - National Marketing Manager

To be able to share Peter’s experiences was truly inspirational, edge of your seat, stuff. The time flew past and I was genuinely disappointed when Peter had to end his talk. It was the perfect start to our conference and set the tone for the rest of the weekend. I will definitely be spreading the word.

The Organiser & Co
Caryll Stanbridge

Thank you so much for an enlightening, motivational and entertaining presentation at the Clay Brick Association conference. Your talk is truly an indication that almost anything is possible if you have the passion to do it

Bytes Technology Group
Malcolm Tiley

Peter’s presentation was hugely inspiring; he was easily able to adapt his presentation to be in line with our go to market message on the fly. The feedback we received from our clients who attended the breakfast was exceptional, we will defiantly use peter again for future events. Good luck Peter with Capri X.

African Bank Investments Ltd
Louis Carstens - Group Strategist

Peter"s presentation to our "Leaders for Tomorrow" talent pool had a huge impact - it was motivational, inspiring and uplifting. His humility and down-to-earth nature, in spite of his world-class achievements, left a lasting impression on us. Peter is an accomplished speaker who kept his audience captivated and asking for more. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

LAUNCHIT
Arlene Retzlaff - MD

Peter is now on the top of my contact list for motivational speakers. His talk left everyone in the room enthusiastic and riveted. He had an immediate grasp and understanding of company strategy from my brief and managed to intertwine the conference theme with his expedition experiences. I was blown away. A big thank you Pete, it was a great pleasure to work with you. You were phenomenal!

SAFRIPOL (PTY) LTD
JoaquĂ­n Schoch - CEO

Peter van Kets is not only a magnificent athlete and champion; he is fun to listen to and to chat to; he is motivating and when hearing the ease with which he takes decisions in extreme conditions, it makes our personal challenges look much smaller. His speech is well prepared and complete and well documented. I am sure we will have him again at one of our functions. Until then, we wish him well in his preparation and adventure to the South Pole. Most of all, we wish him health and love and happiness with his family and friends.

CVLC Communication
Catherine Larkin - CEO

Thank you once again Peter. People were still raving about your presentation as they left on Sunday. Your presentation was really a huge highlight of this year’s Congress.

T-Systems South Africa (Pty)Ltd
Mardia van der Walt Korsten - Managing Director

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!

TIGER CULINARY
ALAN MAKINSON

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!”

JOHN ROXBURGH

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.

SPIRITS – EAST LONDON – DISTELL LTD
JOHN TAGGART - REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

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

ABOUT PETER VAN KETS

Professional Adventurer - Inspirational Speaker

PETER VAN KETS - is a South African professional endurance adventurer, speaker and bestselling author. As an inspirational speaker he shares the hard lessons he’s learnt during his expeditions through a series of powerful keynotes as well as team and leadership interventions. These are all immersive, emotive and compelling presentations backed up with gripping visuals.

He has spoken at over 1000 conferences globally and has worked with leadership teams of organisations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, China and the USA.

Peter has authored two best-selling books. The first in 2014, “The Eighth Summit”. The core theme of which is ‘mind-over-matter’ and what we can do to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

The second book, ”Grin & Bear It”, was published in August 2022. The core themes of this book are the building blocks and key foundations of passion, endurance and resilience, the most significant predictors in a persons or organisations ability to achieve and sustain success. This could also be an excellent ‘add-on’ for any conference.
Peters presentations/keynotes are always personally tailored to his clients needs. A few of the popular and most successful titles include, “Impossible is Nothing”, “Leaving a Legacy” and “Grin & Bear It – Adapt and Thrive 2023”.


These are some of his inspirational topics: passion, endurance, resilience, enthusiasm, humour, strategy, practice, curiosity, the capacity to suffer, courage, embracing change, being a +1, +1 teams, small steps, avoiding pig headedness, routines, vulnerability, hope, trust, helping others succeed and a sense of purpose.

Adventure Accomplishments
As one of the world’s top endurance adventurers, amongst many others, he has rowed 5500km across the Atlantic twice and trekked 900km unsupported to the South Pole.
Has taken part in an epic dog sled expedition at the North Pole and has joined forces with photographer, Jacques Marais to complete 5 Beyond Expeditions focussing on southern and central Africa.