Roz Savage

Adventurer and peak performance speaker, Roz has an incredible story to tell. She went from being a marketing consultant with a nice house and sports car to someone who got rid of it all and became the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

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"Heroic, epic, inspiring, historic." - Sir Richard Branson

Since becoming the first woman to row solo across three oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian, Roz Savage is using her life-affirming experience to inspire others. Born in Cheshire, she started rowing whilst studying for her Law degree at the University of Oxford, winning blades with the Univ Women's 1st VIII in 1988 and 89. For the first eleven years of her professional life, she worked as a management consultant in London, but one day while making her commute to work she asked herself what she really wanted. Roz made the radical decision to give up everything she had for the promise of adventure. After becoming the first woman to row solo from California to Hawaii, Roz never looked back.

From a nervous novice to one of the world’s leading female rowers, Roz’s affinity for the ocean took her to all four corners of the world across her 7-year rowing career. Sometimes spending up to five months alone at sea, thousands of miles from land, battling waves and strong currents, Roz discovered what she was capable of. Over the course of fifteen thousand miles, Roz uncovered what it truly meant to keep a cool head in the face of danger. She rose victorious over 20-foot waves, found peace in the face of life-threatening adventure and developed the courage only the ocean could surface.

With a story like Roz’s, it is no surprise that a documentary based on her Atlantic adventure, Rowing the Atlantic, was a finalist for the iconic Banff Mountain Film Festival, screened in over 30 countries. Roz has also published personal accounts of her journey in Rowing The Atlantic: Lessons Learned on the Open Ocean and Stop Drifting, Start Rowing, in which readers can submerge themselves in her adventures.

With her prolific academic, professional and sporting career. Roz won her first award in 2010 when she was named the Adventurer of the Year award from the National Geographic. In 2012 she was made a World Fellow at Yale University and in the following year, she was honoured with an MBE for her contribution to fundraising and environmental conservation. Roz was offered a scholarly position at Yale University, where she has lectured Courage in Theory and Practice, since 2017. In response to her achievements, Roz is recognised by 4 Guinness World Records.

At present, Roz has dedicated her life to building the confidence of those around her. By combining her life experiences with her academic and professional knowledge, Roz presents motivational workshops and corporate events for eager audiences. With her honest presenting style, Roz has taken tens of thousands of people on a figurative journey across the ocean, through her captivating stories. Having previously spoken for Google, eBay, Hershey, Disney, Kaiser Permanente, National Geographic, the Royal Geographical Society, TED and TEDx, plus various universities and corporations, Roz can confidently command the stage. She inspires audiences to redefine what is possible, motivating them to embrace their potential. From assertive leadership to a positive mindset, Roz’s topics cover all bases for achieving the best version of yourself.

Get a taste for what Roz is like at corporate events, by watching a video her speaking at the YaleWomen Global Conference, below:

Appearing at a TED conference symbolises reaching the very top in the speaking world. Take a look at Roz's speech, where she covers why she made the decision to row across the Pacific ocean.

In her TEDxCambridgeUniversity speech, Roz covers the trials and tribulations of rowing tribulations of solo-ocean rowing; something which she frequently discusses when at corporate events.

See what people had to say about Roz, when she appeared at their corporate events, below:

"Roz was energetic, passionate, engaging and real. Her connection with both our employees and our clients, and the dialogue it sparked both within the room and beyond was tremendous. Everyone left with a little optimistic spring in their step, inspired to make changes and live their lives a little differently. It was an amazing experience to share her world for that hour.”
Jill - Credit Suisse

“Our time together was very special for us. You are a natural presenter and so quick on your feet. You adapt to the audience and your delivery is so natural. You make it appear effortless which is the mark of a true professional. I was taking presentation notes the entire time you were with the WPO chapter.”
Scott - World Presidents Organisation

"Roz recently spoke to Gannett employees about ways to face stormy seas on the path to transforming our business. Her lessons in grit and perseverance will help anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.”
Maryam - Gannett Co., Inc.

• 2013 – Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
• 2011 – Became first woman ever to row across 3 oceans
• 2011 – Awarded Ocean Inspiration Through Adventure Award and is inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame.
• 2010 – Awarded Adventurer of the Year by National Geographic
• 2010 – Became first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean
• 2008 – Became first woman in history to row solo from California to Hawaii.
• 2003 – Embarks on first adventure in Peru, which led to being elected as Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

When at corporate events, Roz covers the following topics:

Mindset & Motivation - After spending months at sea, Roz understands what it takes to keep yourself motivated in the face of challenges. Defined as a positive mindset, she shares what she learnt as a rower, life lessons that can be applied to everyday life. Overcoming inner demons, self-criticism and doubt, Roz gives practical tips on how to maintain motivation.

Importance of Courage - Whilst teaching Courage in Theory and Practice, Roz reflected upon the need for courage in today's uncertain environment. In her presentation, she offers techniques for overcoming personal fears which may hold us back from reaching our full potential. An expert in the field, Roz’s advice is invaluable.

VUCA & Leadership - A military acronym for situations that are Volatile, Unpredictable, Complex, and Ambiguous, VUCA can be applied to the field of business. Roz advises her audience on the most profitable way to thrive in volatile times, by learning the value of strength and remaining calm under pressure. Roz’s alternative? Vision and Values, Ultimate Flexibility, Courage, and Awareness.

Re-Thinking Reality - Our lives shape our identity, which Roz believes to be directly linked to our future success. When our internal struggles are projected onto the world around us, it can have detrimental effects on our success. Roz understands this, so has dedicated her time to raising self-awareness, inviting her audience to transform their reality from the inside out.

Create A Sustainable Future - Roz’s driving force is creating a sustainable future through advocating “deep ecology”. Likened to a monster, Roz believes that we need to reconnect humanity with nature, drawing on her first-hand experience to raise awareness for how beautiful our world can be. She promotes the idea that every little helps when saving the planet.

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To book Roz Savage as the speaker for your corporate event, function or conference, contact The Motivational Speakers Agency using the contact details below:

Enquiry form 0207 1010 553 motivationalagent@championsukplc.com

Please note we do not accept requests for autographs personal messages or video messages.

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