Matt McFadyen

Very few people have the ability to combine the adventure world and the business world quite like Matt McFadyen. 

For over 2 decades, Matt has worked with organizations all over the world to align leaders, energize culture, and build high-performing teams. Matt is a world-class speaker and facilitator who addresses leadership, building high-performance teams, motivation, and inspiration. From dragging heavy sleds to the North Pole to sailing small yachts through some of the world’s deadliest oceans, Australian adventurer Matt McFadyen has pushed himself and others to the ends of the earth, testing the limits of human potential. He has been a leader of 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 trips to Antarctica. In 2013 Matt rowed, sailed, and dragged a small boat 2000 miles across the infamous Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. 

Matt’s presentations focus on the Power of Purpose. Understanding why we do what we do both personally and professionally by understanding our skills, passions, and legacy we identify our purpose statement and that of others, thus creating the foundations of building high-performing teams.

Speaking Topics - 

The Power of Purpose 

To create high-performing teams that connect on a professional and personal level, it starts by understanding each individual's purpose, and why we do the things we do. By creating an environment that fosters a better understanding of each team member's skills, passions, and legacy, teams are better equipped to get the most from themselves and their colleagues thus creating a culture of high performance and delivering bigger and better results. 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. As a teammate and leader in some of the toughest conditions on the planet, Matt has a unique perspective on the importance of why every organization needs clarity around their, and their employees' purpose to succeed. 

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 most 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 Backward

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 backward 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 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 journey to leadership.