Kevin Biggar
An inspirational speaker whose story engrosses and engages audiences
Ocean-Rowing Champion and South Pole Explorer Helping Teams Achieve the Impossible
Kevin Biggar is a world-class keynote speaker whose credibility was forged far from the conference stage. A former strategy consultant with The Boston Consulting Group, Kevin walked away from a successful corporate career to attempt one of the planet’s toughest endurance events — rowing 5,000 kilometres across the Atlantic Ocean in a 7-metre plywood boat… despite never having rowed before! Forty days later, he crossed the finish line as race winner and world-record holder, completing a transformation from unlikely novice to elite endurance athlete that has since inspired that has since inspired tens of thousands of people in organisations across Australasia.
Not content with one extraordinary achievement, Kevin went on to undertake an even rarer challenge: becoming the first Kiwi to walk unsupported and unresupplied from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole. Hauling a heavily loaded sled for more than 1200 kilometres through temperatures below –40°C, crevasses, whiteouts and equipment failures, he joined a tiny group of people worldwide to have both rowed an ocean and trekked to a Pole.
In New Zealand, Kevin is widely recognised as the co-host of TVNZ’s award-winning adventure series First Crossings and Intrepid NZ, retracing the journeys of pioneering explorers to some of the country’s most remote locations — think Bear Grylls in a waistcoat! Working on camera in demanding environments honed the presentation skills, storytelling ability and authenticity that now make his keynote sessions so engaging and memorable.
These experiences form the foundation of his powerful insights into achieving ambitious goals. Using a combination of hilarious anecdotes and practical tools, Kevin shows audiences how to:
Deal with doubt and hesitation
Build a winning mindset
Frame goals for sustained motivation
Work effectively as a team
Persevere through setbacks
For more than two decades, Kevin has delivered over a thousand keynote presentations and workshops to many of the largest organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Known for his professionalism and ability to tailor content to each audience, his rare combination of business insight and real-world experience allows him to translate extreme adventure lessons into practical techniques that resonate deeply with audiences ranging from boardrooms to building sites, from executives to electricians — whatever the make-up of your audience Kevin will have spoken to and delighted a similar group.
His story resonates because it demonstrates that extraordinary outcomes are not reserved for extraordinary people — they are achieved by ordinary individuals who commit to bold goals, continually upskill themselves, persevere through setbacks and keep going when others give up.
His presentations are highly visual, fast-paced and rich with humour, blending gripping storytelling with clear tools and frameworks that audiences can apply immediately. Event organisers consistently praise his ability to connect with diverse audiences and deliver meaningful impact long after the event concludes. Kevin also goes the extra mile for clients, spending time with participants before and after his presentation, incorporating event themes into his content and engaging directly with attendees.
Authentic, high energy and disarmingly funny, Kevin leaves audiences confident, inspired and measurably better prepared for the challenges ahead.