In Life There are NO BARRIERS ~ ONLY SOLUTIONS" - Keynote
Neal Petersen has completed two amazing journeys in his life: a single-handed yacht race around the world, 27,000 miles, 9 months at sea, alone, and in a yacht he designed and built himself. And an even more arduous and eventful trip of overcoming racial prejudice during the Apartheid era in South Africa, poverty, and a childhood physical disability, just to make it to the start line! While sharing his riveting life story - Neal carries a treasure chest on stage and it it are symbols of overcoming barriers to acheive his success and challenges audiences to find their treasures. Neal will open the mind, with new hope and a determination to break down the barriers, real or perceived, that now exist and to take adversity head on and demonstrate that with determination and hard work you can achieve your goals.
Neal knows how to interact within different cultures from Premiers, Dignitaries, Business leaders, Military leadership and people struggling to navigate their course. Neal is well traveled and has lived in many parts of the world. Currently, has homes in the USA, Dominican Republic and South Africa.
An award winning author (Journey of a Hope Merchant), world-class solo racing yachtsman and global investor, Neal Petersen shares real life examples of how he overcame insurmountable barriers by always turning "perceived" disadvantages into advantages-then into opportunities. In his captivating and empowering "No Barriers - Only Solutions" keynote, Neal demonstrates how success is realized-through innovation, balancing risk against return and being flexible enough to adapt to constant shifting winds. Neal Petersen has challenged thousands to prevail against their own formidable barriers and setbacks and to turn them into treasures. Neal has "wowed" international audiences with his story and how he related it to their challenges, which usually ends with a standing ovation.
In these challenging times of uncertainly, fear and insecurity rise, many feel like solo sailors, adrift, grasping for survival. Neal lays out the importance of a clearly communicated vision and direction, followed by detailed planning, preparation, passion and execution using his personal story.
Take home values:
• Neal carries a treasure chest on stage to empower others to turn your baggage into treasures.
• Understand the importance of building a solid support structure.
• Innovate - how to capitalize on ever changing winds storms.
• Change - adapt to wind shifts and stormy seas by knowing when to alter course.
• Leverage economic challenges to your advantage-keep pumping, choose a winning course and navigate to your advantage.
• Attitude adjustment - refresh your vision - There are No Barriers ~ Only Solutions!
• Remove personal barriers - get rid of the chips on your shoulder.
• Dreams are the seeds of success, hope is the fuel.
• Elements of success include determination, perseverance and hard work.
• With hope and planning, a dream can become a reality - anything is possible.
• The application of knowledge is POWER.
• Ego can destroy, but passion can build.
• Life is about choice, with choice are consequences ~ chose your course wisely.
As a world, we are facing our "Cape Horn". More than any other time in history, people must have the attitude to be open to finding the many ways to develop the systems that will bring optimum results. We need to be focused, have a solid strategy, create a dependable team, respect the competition and get to the finish line in the most efficient method. In this process, there will be headwinds of resistance, stormy seas of change, or just the immense challenges of having daunting objectives on a limited budget. Neal will help prepare audiences to tackle their barriers, by providing hope, a change in attitude and the vision to navigate these challenging times ahead, not just for today - but, more importantly, the next generation. "Strive not only for success ~ but for significance!"
"Neal is one of the most inspiring, dynamic and thought provoking speakers you will ever witness, he is mesmerizing."
"I have been very fortunate to work with Neal Petersen - we brought him in to speak to 3 of our top producer meetings. He is a great speaker and he has found ways to help financial advisors take Neal's experiences and to apply it to their practices in such a way to grow their businesses through the tough times and enjoy the good times." Larry Roth - CEO - Advisors Group, AIG
"Neal, what a pleasure it was to be able to spend some time with you! Very fascinating! I really enjoyed your keynote and the time I got to spend with you. It occurred to me that the huge effort that you employed to launch your maritime career has now been focused into the investment arena. You have more global-macro insight than the vast majority of advisors that I have had the opportunity to discuss such matters with - for sure." Paul Barr - FSC Leaders Summit - July 2011
"evaluations forms all have marked Neal's presentation as exceptional." (Bonnie Sherer CMP)" for SagePoint, Royal Alliance and FSC presentations.
"It is rare that I am asked by my senior management at IBM to immediately hire a keynote speaker when he is barely off the stage to give another keynote speech the following week - but that is in fact what happened with you Neal. And I want to take this opportunity to thank you not only for the extraordinary presentation you gave in San Diego but for the follow up presentation you gave in Barcelona with virtually no prep time as well. While not all the ratings are formalized by our research company - I can tell you that you generated some of the highest ratings and most positive feedback I have seen in many years of running WW events in this division." L. Benway - IBM
I stepped into the General Session to listen to the featured speaker, Neal Petersen. Quickly, I was riveted to his dynamic delivery of inspiration, hope, and excitement. Neal is one of the most inspiring, dynamic and thought provoking speakers you will ever witness, he is mesmerizing. His presentation takes you on a journey from his personal struggles and childhood, of just being able to walk, to becoming the first black man to race solo around the globe, and in doing so breaking down every barrier put before him. Neal's story of conquering political issues and the oceans of the world will challenge your association, opening the mind, with new hope and a determination to break down the barriers, real or perceived, that now exist and to take adversity head on and demonstrate that with determination and hard work you can achieve your goals. -K Braaten, NACo Past President
Neal travels from Charleston, SC or the Dominican Republic.
