Joost Rigter
Speaker Joost Rigter takes his audience into the dark both literally and figuratively to show them how embracing change can make them stronger.
Why you should book speaker Joost Rigter
- An interactive show with powerful content, featuring an inspiring keynote or workshop on embracing change, willpower, and perseverance.
- Drawing on years of experience as an entrepreneur who has faced and overcome extraordinary challenges, Joost Rigter delivers a professional and engaging presentation filled with valuable insights.
- Each keynote is tailored to align perfectly with the purpose and objectives of the event, ensuring a relevant and impactful experience for every audience.
Non-binding request for Joost Rigter
Entrepreneur, speaker, & expert by experience in resilience & acceptance
Joost Rigter is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and expert by experience in resilience, acceptance, and leadership. His story is not one of stagnation or victimhood, but one of movement, creativity, and mental strength. Joost chose not to see darkness as an endpoint, but as a starting point for growth and connection. Today, he inspires thousands of people with his message about embracing change, finding strength in vulnerability, and developing new perspectives, even when you literally lose sight.
Joost’s keynotes are not standard presentations; they are immersive experiences in which the audience quite literally loses sight for a moment. Through an interactive exercise, participants are challenged to connect, reflect, and experience what it means to rely on their other senses without visual stimuli. The result is remarkable: openness, vulnerability, and a sense of genuine connection that rarely emerges so quickly within a group.
In addition to being a speaker, Joost is also a successful entrepreneur. He founded several companies, including the acclaimed hospitality concept The Chairmen at Work. His entrepreneurial journey proves that limitation does not stand in the way of ambition; on the contrary, it can be the driving force behind innovation and creativity.
In his keynotes, Joost addresses themes such as how to handle change when control is no longer an option, how to find calm and strength in accepting the inevitable, what it means to truly connect without judging by appearances or labels, and how a new way of seeing can lead to better collaboration and communication. He always tailors his presentations to the audience and context—from executive teams to students, from healthcare institutions to international corporations. Organizations such as Walt Disney, Deloitte, NS, KLM, ABN AMRO, and UWV have already been inspired by his story.
Whether your focus is on personal development, mental resilience, or cultural transformation, Joost Rigter delivers a story that both moves and motivates action. His keynotes are ideal for corporate events, education, healthcare, government, and any gathering where inspiration is the goal. He speaks fluent Dutch and English, and always connects with his audience on a deeply human level, right where it matters most.
If you want your audience not just to be inspired but to truly feel something, book Joost Rigter. His story is more than a keynote; it’s a wake-up call in the dark that shines light on what truly matters. A moment of connection, reflection, and renewed insight that stays with you long after the lights come back on.
Keynotes
Keynote by speaker Joost Rigter:
Connection & trust
When you have no sight of what’s happening around you, you must rely on trust. In this interactive session, the audience experiences exactly that. Joost takes participants into the dark, guiding them out of their comfort zone and into genuine connection with one another. It’s an exercise in learning to trust—not only yourself but also those around you.
This dynamic and engaging session focuses on experience rather than theory. It’s the perfect choice for teams looking to strengthen collaboration, build mutual trust, and create a powerful sense of unity within the organization.
Keynote by speaker Joost Rigter:
Nothing is impossible
Keynote speaker Joost Rigter shares his personal experience of suddenly losing his sight. He illustrates how he has been able to shape a fulfilling life despite his limitation, emphasizing the vital role of strength and perseverance.
This compelling keynote demonstrates that we should never allow setbacks to define or restrict us. As an optimist, Joost shows how he continues to achieve his goals by consciously choosing positivity and possibility over limitation.
Keynote by speaker Joost Rigter:
Embracing Change
In a powerful and immersive experience, keynote speaker Joost Rigter invites his audience into his world. Participants are blindfolded and, for a moment, experience what it’s like to have no sight, no vision of what’s happening around them or what lies ahead. Just like in life, we can’t always predict what’s coming, and that uncertainty can be unsettling. The question is: how do we deal with it?
This keynote is ideal for organizations undergoing change. It delivers an energetic boost and provides practical tools for navigating transitions with resilience and confidence. Joost tailors each session to align perfectly with the theme and objectives of the event, ensuring relevance and impact for every audience.
Discovering more opportunities through imperfections - TEDx Talk
Speaker Joost Rigter in action
