Adventurous Motivation

"Dave is worth his weight in gold! The audience was aged from 11 - 78 and every pair of ears were engaged throughout; from start to end we too were on his journey. Dave is an inspiring speaker who encourages his listeners to challenge themselves a little every day no matter how big or small! I imagine every member of Plymouth Explorers now has their own 'Bucket List' of personal goals. Dave will definitely be booked as a return speaker!
- Oli Milroy, Plymouth Explorers

"A truly inspirational and entertaining presentation. Spend an evening with Dave and you might just end up living life a little more adventurously. You have been warned!"
- Belinda Kirk, Founder, Explorers Connect

"A natural speaker and story-teller. Inspirational, candid and comical in equal measures. He is the perfect example of someone who turns ideas and dreams into realities. Can't remember the last time I cried with laughter during a Q&A session."
- Rob Symington- Founder, Escape The City

"Dave's journey down the Mississippi was the latest in a series of innovative adventures which are thoroughly entertaining to engage with. The physical and mental achievements of the journey itself are complemented perfectly by his skill in sharing it - both to his online audience as he travelled, and now through his talks.He delivers a masterful presentation on the adventure which is hugely enjoyable and inspirational in equal measure."
- Leon McCarron, Adventurer and Filmaker

"You have an energy that makes one feel alive. You made us feel as though we are part of the journey. The way you speak and the way you write is so full of life, laughter and adventure that it helps us less adventurous to feel the sheer buzz you get from the simple act of living!"
- Melissa Carmody, Forster, Australia

"We invited Dave to be the opening speaker at our event: TEDxYouth@Bath. We had 120 students aged 17-19 in the audience and many more in local schools who tuned in via the live stream. Being the opening speaker is a big responsibility and Dave was absolutely magnificent. It's about throwing the day wide open and no one could have done it better. He was so inspiring that ALL the kids mentioned him in their feedback forms and several quoted him. "comfort kills ambition." That's a pretty astounding impact. The image of him lying on a beanbag with gaming controllers compared with him a few years later in the middle of a vast river gave such an accessible and inspiring through line to the students. He was mentioned over and over again in The Guardian feature. Moreover, Dave was such an asset on the day; he stayed all day and engaged with all the students, captivating each and every one of them.. The day was a massive success. We hope this is the start of a long collaborative friendship. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude so THANK YOUfrom all the TEDxYouth team who, let's be honest, have all got a bit of a crush."
- Charlotte Calkin, Tedx Youth@Bath

"Drawing from innovative, real-life leadership experience, Dave shares in a candid and at times hilarious manner, the powerful lessons he has learned from each of his adventures and relates them back to day to day items and goal setting. His fresh and compelling point of view is a great draw card and inspires positive changes in both work and personal life."
- Robbie Bennetts - Founder, Professional Investment Holdings Ltd

"Dave is an inspiring character - so much energy, drive and creativity. He's a wonderfully natural speaker, with a wealth of adventure stories all delivered with wit and enthusiasm."- Sarah Blackshaw, The Marketers Forum

"I can’t express to you how impressive and motivational your speech was."- Clair Roberts, Community Action Through Sport

"Entertaining, down to earth stuff - he's a normal guy who you can relate to but his absolute determination and belief in what he's achieved comes across very clearly. By the end of the talk it rubs off. Although you might not catch me taking on a challenge quite as painful as Dave's, I walked out of his talk thoroughly entertained and promising myself to finally do the cycling holiday I've been thinking about for a while, which I think is probably exactly what he would have wanted." - Dan Wedgwood, League of Adventurists

"I’m filled with motivation to turn my dreams into realities. Thank you for an inspirational and entertaining evening."- Cecilia Marchisella"

What you do is beyond just ‘motivation’, it actually ignites that real passion in me to get out there and be different to the norm. 3 years ago I travelled around Europe but since coming back I’ve have slipped back into routine. Your talk tonight has me fired up to get back into action!"- Josie Smith, Sydney

"I was working in publishing in a job I hated then and quit soon after your talk. Am now living, writing and working in Argentina, and having a major epiphany about how nice life can be. Enormous envy of all your bravery was definitely one of the spurs to my finally packing it all in and coming here. Don't want to jinx it but seems like pretty much the best thing I ever did do, so thanks!- Ellie Robins

"You have changed the way I see things. I have been waiting for the time to hear from someone like you to give me the belief that there is more to life. You are a great inspiration to me."
- Skye-Tia Arnott, Queensland

"Thanks for your inspiring talk. You definitely got us talking about our goals and what we want in life.'
- Di Weston, Sydney

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I felt so motivated after listening to you talk, I can't wait to get the book so that I can share it with the rest of my family - it was so inspirational! Thanks again for the fantastic lift you have given my day!"
- Linda Morris, St Stephens College, QLD

“A very relaxed, engaging and interesting speaker. The images used were great and brought the experience to life. A wonderful talk”
- TNT Magazine London

"My only complaint about Dave's talk is that it wasn't long enough. We re-lived the highs and lows of this world-record breaking trip and by the end of it were almost as exhausted as he must have been! Dave has revived the concept of the eccentric English traveller and in so doing is making us think about how we travel, what it means to have an adventure and what we actually do with our lives." - Victoria Trott, Travel Writer, UK"I have to congratulate you and the way you held the attention of 1,300 teenagers. I have been talking to school groups for years and I have never seen a group of young people captivated for so long. I have to confess you had me hanging on your every word too. Your story is one of courage, determination and leaves one wondering how you conceived of such an adventure. I was impressed by your style of presentation, the way you tap into the level of the audience and make it relevant to them, having seen and heard your presentation at our local library and 2 schools, I would recommend you as a guest speaker for any group any age any time."- Councellor Peter Downling, Deputy Mayor representing Victoria Point & Coochiemudlo Island, Queensland, Australia

Selection of 2010/2011 Lectures
Tues 11th May - WECCE Fundraiser
Wed 12th May - C.A.T.S Award Evening
Sat 15th May - Keynote: Palm Equipment Europe
Mon 17th May - Night of Adventure, Vue Cinema, Leice. Sq.
Tues 8th June, Bath2London Finale, YumCha, London
Sat 3rd July - Marine Institute Blue Lectures
Wed 3rd Nov - SupaGas, Sydney
Tues 16th Nov - Property Investment Services, Hervey Bay
Wed 17th Nov - QPAC, Brisbane
Wed 24th Nov - North Sydney Oval,NSW
Tues 14th Dec - Lackham College, Wiltshire
27th January - Marketing & Social Media Masterclass
29th January - 2pm, Adventure Travel Live, London
17th April 2011 - PIS Conference, Las Vegas
23rd June - Camp Unistar, Star Island, Cass Lake MN
13th July - Minneapolis, Midwest Mountaineering
15th July - Anderson Centre, Red Wing, MN
18th July - Myrick Ecopark, La Crosse, WI
6th August - London: Live Phone in from Mississippi
10th September - Memphis, Wolf River Conservancy
17th October - Night of Adventure
19th October - Union Bar Chiswick
2nd November - Plymouth Explorers
3rd November - London Explorers
12th January 2012 - Tales of Adventure, London13th -15th January
21st January - LiveMore Lectures, AngleseyShow, Poolside Theatre
29th January - Telegraph Adventure Show, 10.30am29th January - Telegraph Adventure Show, Olympia, 3pm29th January - Telegraph Adventure Show, London, 4pm 4th February - Marlow Library, Reading of Date, 2pm
5th February - DestinationsTravel, London