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Debra Searle MVO, MBE

Discover Debra Searle’s incredible journey: solo Atlantic rower, world-class athlete, and top motivational speaker. Book her to inspire your team with resilience and leadership.

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I have been told by numerous colleagues that Debra was the best keynote speaker they have EVER seen. She was mesmerizing, inspirational and had the audience on their feet. I would definitely recommend Debra for any event.

Hayley Winterbottom

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Why you should book Debra Searle for your next event

Learn firsthand from Debra Searle, the remarkable solo Atlantic rower, whose unparalleled resilience and determination offer valuable lessons in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Receive expert advice and leadership insights from a Member of the British Empire, with a distinguished career as a BBC presenter and extensive board-level experience.
Leverage the knowledge of a world-class athlete who has earned multiple medals in European and World Dragon Boat Championships, bringing a unique perspective on teamwork and excellence.

Non-binding request for Debra Searle MVO, MBE

Conquering the Atlantic: A Story of Resilience

Debra Searle MVO MBE is a professional adventurer and serial entrepreneur. Her expeditions have taken her across the Atlantic, around Antarctica, up to the Arctic Circle and everywhere in between. She has also launched five companies, is a published author, has presented over 40 programmes for the BBC and is a trusted corporate speaker. The movie of Debra’s story of rowing solo across the Atlantic after her husband was rescued is currently in development in Hollywood.

Debra Searle has an extraordinary story! She first hit the headlines when she set out to row across the Atlantic with her husband. Unfortunately, he had to be rescued so Debra, a novice rower, continued alone without a support boat and rowed 3300 miles from Tenerife to Barbados. It should have taken them six weeks, but Debra ended up spending 31⁄2 months at sea alone and unsupported, encountering 30' waves, sharks, and force 8 squalls in her 23-foot plywood boat. Since returning from this adventure, Debra has undertaken solo and team expeditions across the globe. She has also represented Great Britain at European and World Championship level in Dragon Boat Racing winning bronze, silver and gold medals.

As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, Debra Searle brings a unique perspective to any event. Her experiences navigating 3,300 miles alone at sea provide powerful lessons in leadership, perseverance, and innovation. Debra’s ability to turn adversity into success is the cornerstone of her motivational talks, making her an invaluable asset for organizations seeking to inspire their teams and drive change.

Debra has spoken at well over 1100 events around the world, across every industry sector but she is more than your usual sports speaker. Debra has founded 5 companies including MIX Diversity, a Diversity & Inclusion consultancy, so is able to speak with authenticity about what it takes to succeed in business. She has presented 40 programmes for the BBC and had 3 books published. Her spirit of adventure gained her a Member of The British Empire (MBE) from Her Majesty The Queen and she spent 10 years on the board of a charity with two members of the Royal Family, so has great board-level experience to share. Debra was further appointed a Member of The Victorian Order (MVO) for her services to the Royal Family.

Book Debra Searle for your event and give your audience access to unparalleled insights and strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving goals.

Customer Reviews

Hayley Winterbottom Auto Trader

Debra Searle Keynote Show Reel: Motivational Speaker - Inspirational - Mindset – Resilience

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Keynotes

Keynote by speaker Debra Searle: Choose Your Attitude: It’s not magic, it’s mindset

Research shows that 75% of a top performer’s success can be attributed to positive attitude traits, with only 25% of their success attributed to their skillset. Debra helps people tap into that 75% by sharing her amazing personal story of rowing the Atlantic solo after her husband was rescued from their small boat.

In her speech, Debra shares the attitude enhancing tools she relied on during those 111 days alone at sea and how she now uses them in her business life.

More than just an inspiring storyteller, Debra leaves her audiences with practical and actionable golden nuggets for work and life success, and ideas around how to stay connected as a team. Her ‘Choose Your Attitude Toolkit’ helps leaders and individuals to support themselves, rather than sabotaging themselves mentally when the pressure is on, so they can show up well for their colleagues and clients.

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Keynote by speaker Debra Searle: Practical Tools to Stay Motivated & Build Resilience

There aren’t many people in the world who have spent more than 100 days totally alone at sea, and there are probably even fewer who could say that they thrived during those 100 days. Debra Searle MBE spent 3.5 months unexpectedly rowing the Atlantic solo after her husband and rowing partner developed a crippling phobia of open ocean and had to be rescued from their tiny plywood boat. You don’t survive an experience like that without clear strategies for remaining resilient and carefully guarding your mental and physical wellbeing.

In these challenging times of high inflation, hybrid working and geopolitical unrest, Debra presents the mindset and wellbeing strategies she has adapted from her time at sea and that she has successfully brought into daily life. This session is about hearing an inspirational story of resilience and the practical ways to stay positive and productive during times of adversity. The audience will leave re-energized and ready to go again.

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Keynote by speaker Debra Searle: Choose To Challenge

Debra took on her first board position at 27 years old, working with members of the British Royal Family. As the youngest and only woman on the Board, it challenged her confidence and courage to speak up and be heard. But Debra is no stranger to challenging herself! Debra has founded five businesses, one of which is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultancy, has completed expeditions all around the world, and co-founded The Businesswomen’s Network Forum based out of Buckingham Palace.

In this inspiring talk for women and male allies, Debra uses storytelling to demonstrate how to choose to challenge yourself, how to challenge unconscious bias and how to challenge imposter syndrome to push yourself outside your comfort zone to make major step changes in your career and confidence. This talk is a rare combination of high adventure, while communicating important messages around the value of inclusion and how we can all play our part to overcome bias.

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