Paul is a top motivational speaker. Here’s what some clients had to say about him:
I cannot say enough how much this meant to our audience – people are still buzzing about your performance on stage and how much it moved them. Thanks again for everything!
Shachar G. Scott
Global Head of Brand Marketing at Snap Inc
I have not seen a speaker of this magnitude & impact in my lifetime. Paul de Gelder is an Inspirational Speaker about determination, resilience, having a positive attitude in life and making good choices for your path forward! I’m not sure what else to say except it’s a true real life story and hearing it first hand will stay with me for years to come. It’s moving, it’s powerful and Paul is able to tie it directly to your audience.
JoJo Conlan
Senior HR Leader, Amazon New York
Paul was absolutely fantastic. First standing ovation in 17 years of conference. Wonderful. He was perfect for our group, a fantastic story-teller and our audience was captivated by him. The response from our attendees was that he was the highlight of our week at conference. Would highly recommend him to anyone. Look forward to working with you both again soon, all the best.
David Maher
Celebrity Speakers Bureau
Dear Paul,
The 46th CSDA Convention and Tech Fair held at the Grand Wailea in Maui was an outstanding success. We received so much positive feedback from your inspiring presentation and many stated that this was the best keynote speaker in the history of CSDA.
Your mantra to improvise, adapt and overcome mesmerized the convention attendees and many recounted changes they planned to make to their lives as a result. Your incredible story against overwhelming odds will be long remembered as you motivated attendees both personally and professionally.
On behalf of CSDA, thank you for such an outstanding presentation. Best wishes for a successful 2018 with all your new endeavors in Los Angeles.
The 46th CSDA Convention and Tech Fair held at the Grand Wailea in Maui was an outstanding success. We received so much positive feedback from your inspiring presentation and many stated that this was the best keynote speaker in the history of CSDA.
Your mantra to improvise, adapt and overcome mesmerized the convention attendees and many recounted changes they planned to make to their lives as a result. Your incredible story against overwhelming odds will be long remembered as you motivated attendees both personally and professionally.
On behalf of CSDA, thank you for such an outstanding presentation. Best wishes for a successful 2018 with all your new endeavors in Los Angeles.
Patrick O’Brien
Executive Director
Paul
I would like to take a second, or three, of your time and thank you for your passionate presentation at the NSW Primary Principals’ Association 2016 Annual General Meeting.
As a scuba diver instructor I found your presentation to be on another level; which I’m still trying to comprehend … I know that this is going to take more than a couple of days to do so.
I know that you have opened my eyes wide on how to motivate both my adult staff and the children of Australia that we are preparing for the future Australia.
I wish you well sir, and know that the path you’ve walked has made it easier for me to walk after hearing the passion in your presentation today.
I would like to take a second, or three, of your time and thank you for your passionate presentation at the NSW Primary Principals’ Association 2016 Annual General Meeting.
As a scuba diver instructor I found your presentation to be on another level; which I’m still trying to comprehend … I know that this is going to take more than a couple of days to do so.
I know that you have opened my eyes wide on how to motivate both my adult staff and the children of Australia that we are preparing for the future Australia.
I wish you well sir, and know that the path you’ve walked has made it easier for me to walk after hearing the passion in your presentation today.
Greg Grinham
Principal, Granville Public School
Hi Paul
I just wanted to send you a message to say thank you as I heard you speak at the recent Nursery & Garden Industry conference in Hobart. What an incredible human being you are.
I’m very happy to have heard you speak. I felt so moved.
I have heard a lot of speakers in my time but you are number one!
Take care and continue to enjoy life
I just wanted to send you a message to say thank you as I heard you speak at the recent Nursery & Garden Industry conference in Hobart. What an incredible human being you are.
I’m very happy to have heard you speak. I felt so moved.
I have heard a lot of speakers in my time but you are number one!
Take care and continue to enjoy life
Karen Smith
Editor, Hort Journal Australia magazine
Paul de Gelder has an incredible story to tell. It is a story of overwhelming odds, brilliantly overcome through hard work, gutsy determination, and a great sense of humor. I knew in an instant that I needed Paul to tell his story to the Divers of the United States Navy. His effortless charm and engaging manner reels you in for the most motivating ride of your life. A man is not defined by what happens to him, he is defined by how he handles it.
That makes Paul a most remarkable man!
That makes Paul a most remarkable man!
Commander Michael Egan
United States Navy, Supervisor of Diving
From the moment I met Paul in his hospital bed, I knew I was privileged. Horrendously mauled and recovering from such drastic surgery… I was overwhelmed by his aura, his positive outlook and his will to live. In eight years of reporting for 60 Minutes, Paul, without question is one of the most inspirational human beings I have met! Everyone, whoever they are, can learn so much from Paul… I know I have.
Peter Overton
Reporter, 60 Minutes
Paul’s presentation was definitely the highlight of our conference. He spoke very well and the feedback I have from the staff was fantastic, they were very inspired and touched by his story. Some of the staff wouldn’t let him leave as they had so many questions. He did a fantastic job and I only hope he continues to share his story.
Lauren Taylor
CelebrityEA to Acting Director Aligned Channels Business Development, AMP Limited Speakers Bureau
I wish to thank you for your attendance at today’s successful 2011 Salvation Army breakfast. Your speech was inspirational and motivating and I believe contributed to the record number of attendees. Your story is inspirational and it is a reminder to al that nothing is insurmountable; congratulations on your achievements to date, I’m sure you’ll continue to achieve success.
Louise Duff
Managing Director, Brilliant Logic Pty Ltd
Paul was excellent… I don’t think I have ever seen a group of boys aged 7-12 engaged for that length of time. The content was perfect and targeted the audience. I have had a lot of positive feedback from the staff and boys. I actually had 2 sons in the audience (8yrs old and 11 yrs old) and Paul was definitely the topic of conversation in our house all weekend!!! Thanks
Nikki McCathie
The Scots College, Sydney
His strength and will, only just out shine his humour and light heartedness, qualities that undoubtedly carried him through his darkest times. The impact and lasting impression he has made upon my groups and me personally is remarkable and I am blessed to call him friend.
Meredith Julliard
Customer Co-ordinator, Freshstart Australia
I saw you speak today in Melbourne and just wanted to say how much you impacted me. I was unable to speak to my work colleague for at least 20 minutes after because of the lump in my throat. I am a single mum with two boys and rushed back to Sydney to show your video to my boys. Thanks for enriching my life.
Wendy
Conference Delegate
Paul was nothing short of outstanding. The feedback I have received was extremely positive. He was an inspiration.
Gary Morrison
Australian Network Entertainment (Police Conference Mudgee, August 2011)
Paul was a standout keynote speaker at our conference. He used his story powerfully to communicate the key messages aligned to the focus of our conference. More importantly, it was obvious he was aware of his audience and successfully related well with them. It was great to see him interact with the audience after his talk. Quite a lot of speakers leave once they have completed their talk but he stuck around and we couldn’t been more grateful. Paul is a great guy and I sincerely recommend him.
Gabriel Maciel
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Our school community has been raving about how good Paul’s presentation was at our Speech Night last week. His manner and presentation of his amazing story was well received by the entire school community. He was excellent.
John Royce
Deputy Principal, Geraldton Grammar School
Just a short e-mail to pass on our sincere thanks for Paul’s time in presenting to our people. We know that it’s a big ask to come all this way for a relatively small company. He did a fantastic job and the feedback from our people constantly describes him as inspirational.
Julie Thomas
Human Resources Manager, Newcastle Coal
Paul was the perfect key note speaker for our conference. His amazing story touched the hearts of all our delegates. It also has motivated them personally and professionally. The delegates are still talking about his presentation weeks later. Paul is also an excellent presenter and has loads of charisma to engage the audience. I would definitely recommend him for any event.
Melissa Lamb
Manager- Advice, Professional Investment Services Ltd, Singapore
Paul’s presentation inspired everyone in the room from the (BASDN Group) Bosch Authorised Service Dealer Network for his achievements before and after his shark attack, this gave us so much more courage that people need not to give up a goal in your life.
John & Tina Paxos
Bosch Authorised Service Dealer Network, Hamilton Island
Our Sports Lunch was a huge success – in fact the best yet on every level. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed the brutal honesty and the positive message conveyed by Paul during his presentation.
Esther Wills
Executive Assistant to CEO, Southport Sharks, Gold Coast
Paul was fabulous. He delivered his story in a humble yet energetic fashion without the usual motherhood statements and cliché catch-cries, A lovely man who won over the audience with his boyish charm and human approach.
Mary Saldana
Sumar Events, Maroochydore
Paul has accomplished something that all other speakers have failed to accomplish with our students. He has shown a clear delineation between EGO and SPIRIT. He obviously survived with his ego for so long before experiencing the life threatening event that confronted his mortality. He had a genuine conversation with the students that set up a trusting rapport which had them absorbing the story as though it was their own!
Patrick Whelan
Social Justice Coordinator, St Pius X College, Chatswood
Paul was an engaging and interesting speaker. How he has dealt with adversity in his life, worked perfectly alongside the theme we had for our conference. He tailored his presentation to his audience and was also very honest when answering all the questions that his presentation provoked. Great presentation and I would definitely recommend him.
Kate Solomon
National Operations Co-ordinator, M&T Resources, Gold Coast
Paul was incredible. He has such an amazing presence and is so friendly and down to earth. I specifically did not want someone who would go into a motivational dialogue but whose story would naturally give this message and Paul’s story was ideal. Paul’s energy and aura is very powerful, not surprising given what he has risen above. It was a pleasure to meet him and I am so grateful to you and him for going out of your way to make the change in our program work for us.
Amanda Bain
Australian Glass & Glazing Association, Hobart
Thank you so much for your contribution to Q-COMP’s Return to work Conference Expo and Awards at the Brisbane Convention Centre on 30 October. Your presentation contributed towards a very successful event for us, and was highly valued by the delegates, who have told us they took away some valuable insights and ideas for improving their return to work outcomes. Your story was a powerful inspiration to all our delegates.
Angela Chapman
Q-Comp, Brisbane
Thanks again for making oOh!media’s staff conference last Friday “the best one ever”. We had our party at Luna Park directly after the conference and you were definitely the talk of the party for the entire night. You are an amazing character with an extraordinary story to tell. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you.
Bronwyn Tracey
oOH!media Staff Conference, Sydney
I would like to add my thanks to Paul for sharing his experiences with us. He is truly a remarkable and inspiring individual, even before his meeting with the shark and certainly after.
Carolyn Cowell
Recruitment & Diversity, People and Performance Branch, Dept Transport & Infrastructure, Canberra
Paul is the most incredible human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Not only is his story an incredible one, he delivered it in a fun and engaging manner. I honestly feel that he has made a massive difference to me personally, I am humbled. I know he also had a great impact on all of our staff. Paul showed us what Awesome looks like and I will never forget the day he shared his amazing story with us.
Adelle Rees
Sumar Events, MUM, Sydney
Every single person who has commented on Paul from our lunch, has said that he was by far one of the best speakers they have ever heard. He received a standing ovation from our audience, and there were a few tears as well. I have already suggested that my firm use Paul for an engagement sometime this year. I would recommend him to anyone. He is incredible… and such a nice bloke!
Kate Macdonald
Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Sydney
I saw you speak today. Thank you, you were so inspiring. Listening to your story of overcoming adversity brought tears to my eyes, and I thought “I needed to see this!”. You inspired me to make sure I get that fire back in my life. I just wanted to say thank you because I already know you made a difference to our lives.
Delegate
Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Gold Coast
Excellent presentation & very down to earth. Paul kept the audience attention throughout – not an easy task. The detail of the operation performed was great. His motivation is amazing, I went straight home and down loaded his book. Lots of great feedback from the audience-they all enjoyed Paul’s presentation
Shaune Gillespie
CEO, Calvary John James Hospital, Canberra
Our delegates found Paul to be truly inspiring.
Nicole Amato
Leishman @ Associates, Hobart
Exceptional was the word for him!!!
Marg Booth
Managing Director, Great Expectation Speakers – Queensland Insurance Brokers
I wanted to pass on my client’s sincere thanks for Paul’s assistance at their event last night. He was such a professional and when he spoke you could have heard a ‘pin drop’. He spoke to guests after his talk and everyone just raved about him.
Nancy Tombazos
Saxton Speakers Bureau for Perpetual Private, Sydney