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Mark Pollock

First blind South Pole racer. Neurotech researcher tackling paralysis. Studying elite human performance.

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Everything Mark Pollock does is about inspiring leaders and their teams to build resilience, optimise performance, and collaborate with others so that they achieve more than they thought possible. Unbroken by blindness in 1998, Mark became an adventure athlete competing in ultra-endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps, including being the first blind person to race to the South Pole. He also won silver and bronze medals for rowing at the Commonwealth Games and set up an international motivational speaking business. In 2010, a fall from a second-story window nearly killed him. Mark broke his back, and the damage to his spinal cord left him paralysed. Now he is on a new expedition, this time exploring the intersection where humans and technology collide to cure paralysis in our lifetime.

 

Chairman of Collaborative Cures and founder of the global running series Run in the Dark, Mark has been involved in catalysing collaborations worth over $100 million on his mission to cure paralysis. He was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, served on the Global Futures Council on Human Enhancement, and the Advisory Board of Cybathlon. In addition, he is a Wings for Life Ambassador (Europe) and was on the Board of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (USA) for a decade.

 

Currently, Mark is pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (Sport) at Dublin City University. He is the author of Making It Happen and is the subject of the acclaimed documentaries Blind Man Walking and Unbreakable – The Mark Pollock Story. Mark has been awarded honorary doctorates by The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and also by Queen's University Belfast. Furthermore, he holds a diploma in Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century from Harvard University, degrees from Trinity College Dublin and UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Speaking Topics

Adversity & Challenges – Maintaining A Resilient Mindset Under Pressure

Sometimes we choose our challenges, sometimes our challenges choose us. What we decide to do about them is what counts. Deciding to be a competitor, a realist and a collaborator offers your people a chance of maintaining a resilient mindset under pressure. Mark Pollock’s keynote on adversity and challenges uses the power of active decision making to deal with challenges, regardless of where they come from, to help your people become more resilient. 


Leadership & Motivation – Leading Through A Crisis And Developing Intrinsic Motivation To Move Forward

Uncertainty and change typify a crisis, and it’s difficult to lead in such circumstances. By providing your people with insights into the resilience, attitude, and decisions of others facing extreme circumstances, you will help them to develop the intrinsic motivation to move forward. Mark Pollock’s keynote on leadership and motivation delivers deep insights for leaders to navigate through the crucible moments they face and lead others to achieve more.

Mindset & Performance – Challenging Expectations To Perform At A Higher Level

It is tough to deliver world-class performance. Your people won’t do it by chance. With a high-impact catalyst, you can help them act with the courage to make it happen. Mark Pollock’s keynote on mindset and performance is that catalyst - it challenges your people to examine expectations of themselves and others to perform at a higher level. 


Collaboration & Teamwork – Creating And Motivating Dispersed Teams Across Disciplines And Geographies

Galvanising a disparate group of people around a common goal is not easy. Yet when it happens, when we collaborate, that is when major breakthroughs happen. Mark Pollock’s keynote on collaboration and teamwork provides your people with insight into how high-performance teams get things done when others can’t. 

Human Enhancement – Exploring The Intersection Where Humans And Technology Collide During The 4th Industrial Revolution

Exploring the intersection where humans and technology collide is essential for businesses to maintain their competitive edge. By raising the consciousness of your people to the human dimension of the 4th industrial revolution, you will empower and encourage innovation at the edge. Mark Pollock’s keynote on human enhancement provides your people with insight into the transformative intersection of technology and humankind as he explores a cure for paralysis using robotics, neuro-modulation, AI and VR/AR.


Mark Pollock's Experiences

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Testimonials

"In the weeks following Mark’s talk, I have seen managers at LinkedIn reference Mark’s approach to solving complex problems. His talk was inspirational and can be applied in our daily business lives."

“Mark spoke at our Google Emerging Markets event. His message of resilience and leadership really resonated with our dynamic, international team. His ability to balance both the darker and lighter sides of his life experiences prompted us to think about how we approach our challenges.”

“Mark’s ability to link his personal story to people’s everyday life and work challenges was excellent. The session was not just about listening to an incredible story, it was a chance for everyone to really think about themselves. There is something in this talk for everyone.”

“Mark provided perspectives from his own experience and research on how to deal with challenges and opportunities that appear along the way. He took the time to understand our situation and completely tailored the content and messaging to align with our areas of focus. His words prompted many conversations throughout our conference and beyond. It was thought provoking and empowering.”

“Mark delivers that rare combination of inspiration, perspective and practical insight that forces his audience to really reflect on how they rise to their personal challenges and set goals that seem unachievable. He delivers his message in a deeply personal, humorous and memorable way that lands with his audience. It was a pleasure for all of us to spend time in his company. Inspiring.”

“We have had many guest speakers, but no one made a lasting impact quite like Mark. The feedback from the team after his speech was incredible and unanimously positive. Mark’s inspirational words had a huge impact on the team and helped them to put their own challenges into perspective. His message resonated throughout the remainder of the conference.”

“Amazing, humbling experience, Mark held a room of over 400 people and you could not hear a pin drop – his messages on continuously reinventing yourself and using challenges to define your future was done in an engaging, perceptive, inquisitive and humorous way. His insights truly connected with the audience on so many levels. Mark is proof that it’s one thing to read the theory but quite another to live it.”

“At our recent kick-off for Citrix Northern Europe, Mark shared his incredible story of how to adapt and remain resilient in the face of ongoing uncertainty and change. As well as Mark’s keynote outlining his approach to tackling challenges, he shared a mental model for how we can all turn challenges into opportunities during an interview led by his colleague and co-host, Paula Cunniffe. The impact was fantastic and opened the door for all of us to reflect on how we are tackling our own challenges both personal and at work.”

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