WARREN MACDONALD

Adventurer, Author and Motivational Speaker

Warren Macdonald’s life’s boundaries were redefined in April 1997 with his accident on North Queensland’s (Australia) Hinchinbrook Island. Climbing to the Island’s tallest peak, he became trapped beneath a one-ton slab boulder in a freak rock fall. Two days later he was rescued, only to undergo the amputation of both legs at mid thigh.

Just ten months later, he climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants. In February 2003, he became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro (19,222ft), and more recently, in a spectacular effort requiring more than 2,800 pull-ups over 4 days, created history once again in an ascent of America's tallest cliff face, El Capitan. He is also the only above knee amputee to make an ascent of Canada’s landmark frozen waterfall, the 600 ft “Weeping Wall” in Alberta.

Warren’s first book, A Test of Will is an Australian bestseller and the subject of the “Trapped under a Boulder” episode of the Discovery Channel series I Shouldn’t Be Alive. His film documenting the epic four-week journey to Federation Peak, Australia most challenging mountain summit, The Second Step, has been acclaimed worldwide, screening on National Geographic Television and winning eight international awards including Grand Prize at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Warren has appeared on numerous news and current affairs programs, including Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. He has written articles for CNN World Edition, Australian Geographic, Speaking of Impact and Professional Speaker.

Warren Macdonald recognizes change as a process, not an end result. His ability to manage transition, to create opportunity from any given situation, and his ability to share insights on how we can all live "larger than we dreamt possible", sees him increasingly in demand as a speaker and corporate motivator.

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COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCES

"Your keynote presentation on Monday was a huge success (in case you couldn't tell by the STANDING OVATION you received!). I've had so many people come to tell me that you were the best speaker we've ever had and how much it meant to them to hear your story. You have an amazing spirit that resonates in everything you say and do."

Alberta Envirofuels Inc.

"The relevance, clarity and poignancy of your presentation and subsequent conversations with our people has helped us refocus on the tasks we have to complete and brought the team closer together…"

Motability Finance Limited

"You were able to effectively demonstrate to the audience that difficulties faced become achievable challenges if you have the desire and strength of will."

Novo Nordisc Pharmaceuticals

"Your topic 'One Step Beyond' was one of the best and most powerful keynotes I have had the pleasure of hearing. Some of the words used to describe your keynote were 'exceptional', 'inspiring', 'very, very moving' and 'this keynote makes me want to climb mountains'."

Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Administration

"We were most impressed by the professional manner in which you prepared for the presentations: the conference call to discuss the event, pre-event questionnaire for us to complete which included specific objectives/results desired from your involvement in the event, theme/purpose of the event, top 3 challenges facing our group, what impact do these challenges have on those of us who were in the audience.

…I can truly say that I was inspired – no, deeply moved – by the life-changing experience that you shared with the group. "

Nova Scotia Federal Council

"No testimonial I can give will do justice to what you brought to our Annual Franchise Partner Conference this year. I had the highest of expectations after booking you and you blew those expectations out of the water. I believe you received the only standing ovation of our three day event because you went out of your way to customize the message not only based on the details I’d given you earlier, but also the information that you gleaned from attending several sessions earlier. I have never seen a more captivated and inspired audience or a more dedicated speaker."

1-800-Got-Junk

"Warren is a captivating speaker. He held the audience and kept them mesmerized from the moment he stepped on the stage right through to the standing ovation. Warren's experiences and the way he has responded to the challenges he has faced, is not only a touching and inspiring story, he does a masterful job of making it all relevant to today's business environment."

Petroleum Operations

"Warren, after hearing you speak to our new MBA students at their orientation last year, we just knew that we had to have you back this year. Thanks for sharing your story with us again this year. Your insight, wisdom and inspiration are greatly appreciated."

University of British Columbia, Robert H. Lee Graduate School at the Sauder School of Business

"Warren’s true to life story, told in a humorous and thought-provoking style, went well beyond theories and concepts to provide a fresh perspective about the challenge of change. He truly inspired out attendees to think differently, to view change not as “the end of the world”, but as an opportunity for personal and professional growth."

Central 1 Credit Union