Speaking

How to build a record-breaking team

Topic: Teamwork

In this session Matt shares what he has learnt about building record-breaking teams. He draws on his experiences working in medicine and education as well as his summits of the world’s highest mountains, walking to the North and South Poles and his most recent achievement of a record-breaking row across the Atlantic.

Your audience will learn:

• The importance of having a clear, shared goal
• Although a plan is vital the plan needs to be flexible
• There is no such thing as the perfect team, but you can still have the perfect race

It’s not the mountain ahead that wears you out, but the pebble in your shoe

Topic: Resilience

It’s common sense that if you want to become a better runner you have to run. It’s the same when it comes to your ability to cope with demands and stress. Your mental endurance needs to be ‘exercised’.

In this session Matt compares the resilience needed to compete in 24-hour mountain marathons with his record-breaking ocean rowing achievements.

Your audience will learn:

• Proven methods to deal with uncomfortable circumstances
• The importance of finding and knowing your limits
• How motivation and discipline are key to completing your goals

A negative mindset for a positive outcome

Topic: Overcoming adversity

In this session Matt shares his personal experiences of overcoming adversity. He tells the stories of his rowing boat capsizing in the middle of the Atlantic, his unfinished climb of Mt Elbrus where he had to turn back 100m from the summit and his suffering with altitude sickness in remote Alaska. His ability to plan for the worse case scenarios allowed him to overcome these setbacks. The saying “plan for the worse and hope for the best” rings true.

Your audience will learn:

• That adverse events are to be expected and should be welcomed
• The importance of planning in achieving major goals
• How the ‘negative’ member of your team may be an asset!