Former Army Airborne & Navy Bomb Disposal Diver; Shark Attack Survivor; Discovery Channel Host & Author
Paul de Gelder Biography
IMPROVISE...ADAPT...OVERCOME... These three words – a mantra Paul de Gelder learned in the Australian Army as a young paratrooper – resonated with him the first time he heard them. De Gelder chased adventure wherever he could find it, from his wild ride as a teen and his whirlwind lifestyle working in clubs and the music industry to hauling his way up to the elite echelons of the Australian Defense Forces as an Army paratrooper and then Navy bomb disposal diver.
In February 2009, de Gelder's adventurous life took a dramatic turn when a 10-foot bull shark attacked him during a routine Navy dive, severing his hand and leg. Rather than succumbing to despair, he channeled his indomitable spirit, fought through excruciating pain, and reclaimed his life. Drawing on everything his eventful life had taught him, de Gelder left nothing to chance, conducting his own rehabilitation. He returned to full-time Navy service after only six months.
His journey from trauma to triumph is extraordinary, marked by resilience and determination. His inspiring story, vividly chronicled in his autobiography "Uncaged," takes "Never Say Die" to a new level.
In the years since the shark attack, de Gelder's life has changed in every aspect. Having left full-time Navy service in August 2012, after continuing to instruct Navy divers for a further three years, de Gelder has traveled the world as a top motivational speaker, passionate environmentalist, adventurer, and mentor to school kids. He has spoken at venues across the globe, from the United Nations in New York to conferences across the U.S., China, London, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
De Gelder has also been a guest on major TV talk shows and starred as a guest trainer twice on the "Biggest Loser Australia." He has hosted over 25 documentaries for Discovery Channel’s "Shark Week," where he learned to hand-feed bull sharks, hammerheads, and blue sharks, and dive with tiger sharks and Great Whites without the protection of a cage. Megastar Will Smith featured de Gelder in his Facebook series “Bucket List” as his shark diving mentor; UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey was taught how to hand-feed bull sharks by de Gelder; and most recently, Iron Mike Tyson became de Gelder’s shark diving student. De Gelder also became part of an anti-poaching team in Africa to film the excellent work the Rangers did for "Fearless," which aired on NatGeo.
De Gelder has been touted as one of the top 15 inspirational Australians and top 10 speakers, and now, based in Los Angeles, he is preparing to film yet more documentaries. Looking to expand his repertoire, de Gelder completed a lead acting role for a six-part miniseries for a major cable network and has since appeared in several commercials and short films.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Paul de Gelder and other top speakers and celebrities.
Paul de Gelder Speaking Topics
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Never Say Die: Turning Pain into Power
Paul de Gelder shares his powerful story of resilience, emphasizing its critical role in personal and professional growth. Through his experiences, including overcoming a life-threatening shark attack, Paul demonstrates how embracing uncomfortable change can catalyze growth. He draws lessons from his military background, highlighting the importance of discipline, teamwork, and adaptability in high-risk environments. Paul provides insights into recovery's psychological and physical challenges, offering strategies for developing a resilient mindset, including the power of positive thinking and self-belief.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Embrace change for growth.
- Learn from adversity.
- Apply discipline and teamwork.
- Develop mental and physical resilience.
- Cultivate positive thinking.
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Courage Under Pressure: Leadership in High-Stakes Environments
From his diverse background, Paul de Gelder offers valuable leadership insights from extraordinary life experiences. He discusses how adventure and leadership intersect, sharing personal stories from his time as a military paratrooper and clearance diver. Paul emphasizes decision-making and problem-solving strategies in high-pressure environments, navigating change and uncertainty, and fostering effective teamwork through trust, communication, and mutual support. He underscores the role of courage in leading oneself and others through adversity, reinforcing key leadership principles that inspire courage and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
- Master crisis decision-making.
- Navigate change effectively.
- Foster teamwork and trust.
- Lead with courage and resilience.
- Embrace adaptability.
Paul de Gelder Videos
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How do I book Paul de Gelder to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Paul de Gelder for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Paul de Gelder, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Paul de Gelder or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Paul de Gelder
Speaking fees for Paul de Gelder, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Paul de Gelder are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Paul de Gelder, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Paul de Gelder speak about?
Paul de Gelder is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Change Management, Disability, Environmental Activism, Human Resources, Inspirational, Leadership, Mental Health, Military, Motivational, Navy, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Reality TV, Resilience, Storytelling, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Television & Film, Veterans -
Where does Paul de Gelder travel from?
Paul de Gelder generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Paul de Gelder’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Paul de Gelder for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Paul de Gelder for your next private or corporate function. -
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Paul de Gelder is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Never Say Die: Turning Pain into Power, Courage Under Pressure: Leadership in High-Stakes Environments, Beyond the Surface: Discovering Purpose in Life and Work and Uncaged: Thriving Through Fear & Change. The estimated speaking fee range to book Paul de Gelder for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Paul de Gelder generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Eric Boles, Robyn Benincasa, Mike Abrashoff, Brent Gleeson and J.R. Martinez. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Paul de Gelder for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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