Non-binding request for Brett Connellan
Brett Connellan
Shark attack survivor Brett Connellan shares a powerful story of resilience, recovery, purpose, and embracing life's second chances.
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Why book Brett Connellan for your next event
- Brett’s remarkable journey from a near-fatal shark attack to surfing again inspires audiences to overcome adversity and embrace change.
- Learn practical lessons on resilience, mindset, recovery, and finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn.
- A powerful and authentic storyteller who leaves audiences motivated to face challenges with courage and perspective.
Non-binding request for Brett Connellan
Surfer, Shark Attack Survivor, Storyteller & Resilience Speaker
On March 30, 2016, Brett Connellan’s life changed forever when he was attacked by a Great White Shark while surfing at Bombo Beach. What followed was a battle for survival, a long road to recovery, and a complete transformation in how he viewed life, resilience, and purpose. Today, Brett shares his extraordinary story with audiences around the world, demonstrating how even the most devastating setbacks can become catalysts for growth. Through honest storytelling, practical lessons, and remarkable personal insight, Brett inspires people to navigate adversity, embrace change, and make the most of every opportunity life presents.
Book Brett Connellan for Your Event
Brett Connellan is a surfer, shark attack survivor, and inspirational speaker whose extraordinary journey demonstrates the power of resilience, perspective, and determination. His keynote presentations combine an unforgettable survival story with practical lessons that help audiences navigate adversity, uncertainty, and change.
Brett’s experiences resonate with organisations, leaders, teams, students, and individuals because his message extends far beyond the events of one day. Through authentic storytelling and genuine insight, he shows how setbacks can become opportunities for growth and how challenges often reveal strengths we never knew we had.
Brett Connellan's Extraordinary Story
On March 30, 2016, Brett was surfing at Bombo Beach when every surfer’s worst nightmare became reality. He was attacked by a Great White Shark and suffered catastrophic injuries, losing three-quarters of his left quadriceps muscle. As he fought for survival, emergency responders believed his chances of making it were slim.
Thanks to the actions of a brave friend, rapid emergency assistance, and a remarkable series of events, Brett survived. However, surviving the attack was only the beginning of a much larger challenge. The road ahead would require months of recovery, rehabilitation, and a complete shift in mindset.
Faced with a difficult prognosis and uncertainty about what his future would look like, Brett found himself questioning his identity, purpose, and what life after the attack could become.
Building Resilience Through Recovery
Recovery forced Brett to adapt to a completely new reality. He often describes the process as having to "climb a new mountain" accepting the circumstances he faced while remaining focused on what was still possible.
Rather than allowing setbacks to define him, Brett developed a resilient mindset that helped him overcome both physical and mental challenges. Through patience, perseverance, and determination, he continued moving forward, one step at a time.
His presentations explore themes including:
- Resilience and adaptability
- Managing adversity and uncertainty
- Building a positive mindset
- Finding purpose through challenges
- Overcoming fear and setbacks
- The importance of teamwork and support
- Turning obstacles into opportunities
These lessons are highly relevant for organisations navigating change, leaders facing pressure, and individuals striving to perform at their best despite difficult circumstances.
Returning to the Ocean
One of the most inspiring chapters of Brett’s story was his determination to return to surfing. Many people would have viewed the attack as the end of that part of their life, but Brett chose a different path.
Through dedication and hard work, he learned to walk again and eventually returned to the ocean. For Brett, getting back on a surfboard represented much more than a physical achievement. It symbolised confidence, courage, and a refusal to let fear dictate the future.
His journey serves as a powerful reminder that progress is rarely immediate, but with commitment and the right mindset, extraordinary outcomes are possible.
More Than a Survival Story
Today, Brett is driven by a strong sense of purpose. He uses his story to inspire others to embrace challenges, develop resilience, and approach life with greater perspective. The lessons he learned throughout his recovery continue to shape every aspect of his personal and professional life.
Audiences leave Brett’s presentations inspired not only by what he survived, but by how he chose to respond. His story demonstrates that while adversity is unavoidable, growth, resilience, and transformation are always possible.
When you book Brett Connellan, you give your audience a powerful and memorable experience that encourages them to face challenges with courage, embrace change with confidence, and make the most of every opportunity life presents.
Customer Reviews
5 of 5
“Brett is articulate and can capture the audience with his story and engagement. The underlying resilience in Brett’s journey was particularly resonating and that it is ok to ail. Brett was able to break down how to achieve goals in an easy and approachable way. Brett was one of the best guests we have worked with. He was so lovely to have a conversation with and so relaxed. We really enjoyed having him.”
Zurich Australia
5 of 5
“Brett was fantastic – can’t speak highly enough of him. Presentation was sensational, the team were all engaged, and he really incorporated the key messages into his talk. He was also super early and stayed late. Our leaders and the entire team loved him.”
Experian Asia Pacific
5 of 5
“I’d say it is one of the most powerful, impactful engaging presentations I’ve seen of any form, and I’ve seen a few. You could hear a pin drop throughout the entire presentation. To hold and captivate a room of 350 mainly blokes on a Friday afternoon for 45 minutes? That’s impressive.”
H.I.M
5 of 5
“Funny, friendly, down to earth, well executed presentation with a message of such deep magnitude that all can reflect upon towards a more purposeful life.”
723 Squadron - Australian Defence Force
5 of 5
“Brett’s presentation was one of the best our staff have had. They all were highly inspired and energised afterwards, speaking of the importance of perspective and mindset. Brett is a talented presenter who captivates his audience with great skill.”
Woonona Public School
5 of 5
"Brett is an excellent storyteller with a calm and composed persona. The way he presented his life experience left the audience spellbound. A few amongst the audience were able to share their experience and challenges. Brett managed those conversations very well. It was an invigorating experience for many of us.”
Blacktown City Council
5 of 5
“Brett's story is something everyone needs to hear. Not simply just because it is a raw and emotional story, but because it is a story that evokes a passionate and inspiring response from those that are lucky enough to be present for the experience. Instantly engaging, Brett presents his story and his learnings from his own experiences in a format that is adaptable to any setting and that would be of great benefit to any audience listening”
Movember
Rated 5.00/5 based on 7 customer reviews
Keynotes
Keynote by Brett Connellan:
WAVES OF RESILIENCE
Turning the worst day of your life into the best
Brett doesn’t think he would believe the advice he’d share with a younger version of himself because he believes that there’s no greater teacher than the experience itself.
Life, much like the ever-changing ocean, can throw unexpected challenges at us. It's not that everyone needs to face a shark attack to gain perspective; rather, it's about understanding how to adapt and navigate the waves of change. Resilience, that innate strength within all of us, is the anchor we can hold onto during turbulent times.
In this captivating presentation, Brett not only shares his remarkable journey of recovery after a life-altering shark attack but also equips you with the essential tools needed to conquer life’s obstacles. Discover the art of adaptation and resilience as Brett draws parallels between his journey and the challenges we all encounter in an ever-changing world.
Key Takeaways:
- Unleash Resilience: Discover the transformative journey of resilience as Brett shares his powerful personal story of surviving a shark attack and rebuilding his life.
- Strategies for Overcoming Challenges: Learn practical strategies for facing adversity head-on, finding hope in the darkest moments, and emerging stronger than before.
- Adapt and Thrive: Explore how to harness change, turn setbacks into opportunities, and build a culture of resilience within your organisation.
- Redefined Purpose: Gain insights into pivoting and finding new meaning when faced with unexpected detours, inspiring you to adapt and thrive.
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45-60 minutes
Keynote by Brett Connellan:
THE BITE CLUB
Resilience, ambition, and the goals that move us forward
What do you do when your life changes in an instant?
In this powerful and perspective-shifting keynote, Brett Connellan shares the story of how the moment he was attacked by a shark while surfing shattered his life as he knew it. But The Bite Club isn’t just about what happened to him. It’s about what happened after and what that resilience can mean for the audience.
This is Brett’s signature presentation, developed by all the years he’s spent speaking, reflecting, and building practical tools that help people overcome adversity, reconnect with their ambition, and take action with purpose.
Whether your challenge is professional, personal, or something that still sits quietly beneath the surface, The Bite Club will accept you as one of its own as it leaves you motivated to take that first step.
Key Takeaways:
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Real World Resilience: It’s not about what happens to you, what truly matters is how you respond. Brett’s story adds practicality to the tools you need to grow resilience.
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The Power of Ambition: A message from his physiotherapist changed the way Brett saw ambition and created a mindset for how to set lofty goals that mean something.
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Thoughts - Words - Actions - Outcomes: Forged from his experience, Brett’s go-to framework is aimed at identifying and following those meaningful goals so you can create your own luck.
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The Bite Club: Yes, it’s a real support group. But in this talk, The Bite Club becomes a symbol for a shared commitment to progress, connection, and achieving goals together.
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45 minutes
Workshop by Brett Connellan:
HOW TO SURVIVE A SHARK ATTACK
A workshop to promote team building, decision-making, and resilience
Sometimes, it takes extraordinary events to shed light on everyday life. Dive into an experience that will reshape how you handle life's most intense and unpredictable challenges.
With his own experience of a shark attack as a backdrop, Brett brings the group along for the ride with captivating storytelling and actionable strategies with the hopes of surviving it all again. This is a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth in a range of corporate contexts.
In this workshop, you'll dive into a simulated shark attack scenario to explore key themes of critical decision-making, leadership under pressure, and resilience. You'll learn how to harness your instinctual responses and channel them into logical, effective actions that can be applied to both high-stakes situations and everyday workplace challenges.
Key Takeaways:
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Critical Decision-Making: Understand how to balance instinct with clear thinking in high-pressure situations. Learn methods to make more informed decisions, even when time is limited.
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Leadership and Teamwork: Explore how to integrate empathy and communication into leadership roles. Discover the power of distributed leadership and how to empower your team to make decisions within their areas of expertise.
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Resilience: Develop strategies to bounce back and adapt in the face of adversity. Learn how to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and build a resilient mindset that thrives amidst change.
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Personal and Professional Growth: Apply these lessons to your own life, whether you're an individual aiming to enhance personal performance or a leader looking to inspire and empower your team.
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45-60 minutes
Brett Connellan Speaker Reel
Watch Brett Connellan in action
A Day In The Life with Brett Connellan - Kiama Open
Watch Brett Connellan in action
Attacking Life | OFFICIAL TRAILER
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