Inspirational Speaking:
Living Life to the Full
Paula speaks inspirationally about living life to the full and sailing around the world... "So when you're on your death bed, watching your toes curl up, you're thinking - 'What have I done with my life?'"
Paula has achieved 91 things on her 'Things to do Before She Dies' list including sailing around the world, walking on hot coals, paddling down the Mekong, walking across the country, running the marathon and kayaking the length of the Thames. She is now training to swim the channel. "Have a list of things to do before you die. And make sure you do them. You only live once and you're a long time dead."
With NO sailing experience and just 2 months notice, Paula raced 35,000 miles the wrong way around the world in the Global Challenge - The World's Toughest Yacht Race. "No regrets. It was extremely tough: frightening; freezing; exhausting; formidable; and there were 37 reasons why I shouldn't have done it. But I did. And it was the best decision of my life."
Paula experienced some huge highs and huge lows during the Global Challenge. Personally, she had to dig very deep and developed an inner strength, a determinedly competitive attitude and massive tolerance and perseverance. "Day 1 of the race. I wasn't ready. I'd had 2 months prep and 7 days training. I was seasick. We had Force 8 gales and MOB within 10 hours of the start."
Her book BOAT to BOARDROOM uses the Global Challenge as an extreme case study, referencing it to provide lessons, advice and practical exercises in high performance leadership and teamwork. "A gripping story with powerful lessons; a fascinating and useful book."
Speaking Topics:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Motivation
- Tough Times
Testimonials:
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the presentation last night by Paula. The talk was exciting, interesting, and very well presented through an excellent speaker and backed up by wonderful video clips and photographs (and appropriate music!). ... I learnt a lot about how these epic events carried out by these individuals and the experiences and knowledge they gain can be passed on to others to improve their leadership skills in the NHS.
Attendee, Leadership Forum, Plymouth Hospitals
Paula was excellent & her presentation perfectly met my requirements.
Chair, The Corporate Finance Network
Stupendously brilliant!
A delegate on exiting
I have seen quite a few sportsmen/adventurers as business speakers now, but Paula was amongst the best at making her experiences relevant to the business needs of the members present. The group loved it and gave the session an overall score of 9.5 (four 10's!) - a great result.
Chair, Academy of Chief Executives
I heard you talk at our success day in Leeds last year. I was impressed by your talk.......However your book - OMG the best management book I've ever read! Thank you so much, I've learnt loads. You are without doubt a most clever insightful, thinker and writer. I've not finished it yet, as am a very slow reader. But there is sooo much to think about!
With gratitude and respect, Cherry, FLP
I did come away thinking, perhaps I need to write that list of things that I want to do before I die - yeah it was good. Especially Paula was saying it was a lot of fun but there was hardship there as well, so plenty of challenges. Really enjoyed it. Brilliant.
(What did I take from the speech?) Just don't quit. Just don't give up at all. One little thing could happen in so much adversity...really inspirational. It covers so many aspects, that's why I bought the book!
It was absolutely brilliant! So inspirational. And it gave me some real thoughts about actually writing my list of things to do and then making them happen. Brilliant. Absolutely fantastic.
Absolutely fantastic. Very, very inspirational. Take away from it − focus, goal setting, relevant to running my business, determination... absolutely brilliant.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and having been on a Challenge boat before I was really pleased to see some pictures that brought back memories. I think that anyone who's ever been on one of those realises just what a life-changing experience it is − even if it's only for a week, let alone 10 months. It's about teamwork and facing adversity, ... it really pulls you together. Makes you think about yourself.
I really enjoyed Paula's talk. It was inspiring; she held the audience... I bought the book because I just want to find out more. It was a lovely, lovely inspirational talk and I really do take my hat off to her. Life is short and if you're not careful your dreams will have passed you by so you really have got to plan those challenges but then just get up and do them because otherwise time has gone.
You've just got to go for it. Very inspirational. Really loved it. I think anything like physical challenge that is demanding takes a lot of mental toughness to achieve. It's just fantastic. Also you do only live once and you've got to go for it − that's the main message, but we forget it in everyday lives. So, fantastic!
Vox pop testimonials from Telford Forever Living Products Conference, 10/12/11
↑ Back to Top
