David Grier: Motivational Adventurer

  • First person to run the entire length of the Great Wall of China in a single expedition (4,200 km)
  • Completed extreme runs across India, Madagascar, Cuba, and the South Pole
  • Co-founder of the Miles for Smiles Foundation, raising funds for cleft lip and palate surgeries
  • Author of five bestselling books chronicling his journeys and lessons
  • Michelin-trained chef with international culinary accolades
  • Featured speaker for global corporations, leadership summits, and wellness forums

  • Travels from: Cape Town

Keynote Topics

In many ways one of the most important factors that David has had to come to terms with, is the realisation that everything and everyone around us is evolving, changing at such a rapid rate. To keep pace, one must have the ability to evolve with it.

Ultimately each journey one embarks on will etch a scar on one’s life as it passes. As David fought the twisting path of these journeys, a path that has sent him on so many unplanned detours, He looks back at the many different stages and how everything has panned out, how far they are from the original path, but the life lessons gained along the way have enabled him to keep evolving and adapting to the everchanging world ultimately driving his success.

“I honestly feel if one has purpose in life, this gives you the resilience to deal with the situations that you find yourself in. Resilience enables change and the ability to deal with the difficult task of adapting. Change brings positivity. “

David Grier’s keynote is a powerful journey into the heart of endurance, service, and human connection. Drawing on his extraordinary adventures — running thousands of kilometers across some of the most remote and challenging landscapes on earth — David weaves an inspiring narrative about the true meaning of resilience, compassion, and living with purpose. Every step he has taken across the Great Wall of China, the rugged terrains of India and Madagascar, and the icy expanses of the South Pole has been dedicated to changing lives through his humanitarian work with the Miles for Smiles Foundation.

Through gripping storytelling, striking visuals, and heartfelt authenticity, David shares how pushing physical limits became a pathway to unlocking deeper human potential — not just for himself, but for countless children born with cleft lips and palates who had little hope. His experiences show that adversity is not an end, but an invitation to rise, to give, and to lead with empathy.

For the audience, David’s keynote is a moving call to action: to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth, to recognize that individual actions can ripple outward to create profound change, and to reconnect with the values that drive true, meaningful success. Whether in business, leadership, or personal life, David’s message resonates — that fulfillment comes not just from what we achieve, but from what we give back.

Audience members leave not only inspired but armed with a renewed sense of purpose and practical tools for resilience, adaptability, and values-driven leadership. David’s keynote reminds everyone listening: “The real adventure begins when we step beyond ourselves in service of something greater.”

Short Bio

David Grier is an internationally acclaimed adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete, and humanitarian known for tackling some of the toughest journeys on earth to raise awareness and funds for children born with cleft lips and palates. In partnership with Operation Smile, he co-founded the Cipla Miles for Smiles Foundation, which has provided thousands of life-changing surgeries.

Incredibly, David is the only person in the world to have run the entire 4,031 km Great Wall of China in both directions, a feat that required extraordinary resilience, teamwork, and mental strength. His endurance challenges, which also include paddling across oceans and running across continents, serve as powerful metaphors for leadership, perseverance, and hope. Through his talks, David shares moving stories of overcoming adversity, navigating setbacks, and dedicating oneself to a cause bigger than personal achievement.

David Grier is more than an adventurer he’s a force of human resilience, creativity, and compassion. A chef by profession and a humanitarian by passion, David has carved an extraordinary life path defined by endurance, empathy, and purpose. From grueling ultra-distance feats across some of the world’s harshest terrains to nourishing hope through his charitable initiatives, David’s journey inspires individuals and organizations alike to reimagine what’s possible.

Blending the intensity of extreme adventure with the grounded wisdom of personal transformation, David captivates audiences with stories drawn from the front lines of human perseverance. As a bestselling author and celebrated speaker, he delivers more than just motivation he offers tangible lessons on leadership, grit, adaptability, and purpose-driven success.

With a culinary career rooted in creativity and precision, David Grier has always understood the importance of discipline, detail, and determination. Yet it was through his humanitarian expeditions and ultra-endurance runs covering thousands of kilometers across the Great Wall of China, India, Cuba, and Madagascar that David discovered the deeper ingredients of human potential. His expeditions are not just athletic accomplishments; they are journeys of service, raising awareness and vital funds for children born with cleft lips and palates through the Miles for Smiles foundation.

David’s ability to intertwine physical challenge with humanitarian purpose gives him a powerful voice that resonates across corporate, academic, and global platforms. He’s completed over 25,000 km on foot in extreme environments such as deserts, mountains, war-torn regions facing both natural and internal obstacles. These are not merely adventures but catalysts for transformation, both personal and collective.

As an author, David has published five bestselling books that document these epic journeys, each filled with striking insights into the human condition. His storytelling is rich with metaphor, meaning, and humor, creating deep emotional connections with his audience. From boardrooms to auditoriums, he brings a fresh and inspiring narrative on how to manage change, maintain mental resilience, and lead with compassion in the face of adversity.

His authenticity sets him apart. There’s no bravado just lived experience, honesty, and an unwavering belief in human potential. Whether speaking to Fortune 500 leaders or aspiring changemakers, David meets people where they are and moves them to where they never thought they could go.

David Grier embodies the spirit of endurance, generosity, and storytelling. From Michelin-starred kitchens to the unforgiving stretches of the Sahara, his life is a journey of purpose and possibility. As a speaker, he doesn’t just talk about resilience he lives it. His keynote appearances are unforgettable experiences that move audiences from passive listeners to active participants in their own transformation.

With every step, every word, and every act of service, David reminds us that the greatest adventures begin the moment we say yes to the unknown. Book David Grier if you want to inspire your audience to push boundaries, embrace change, and make an impact that matters.

For Meeting Planners

This PowerPoint slide above is designed for meeting planners.

Register for FREE and simply click the URL link for automatic download of the PPTX slide.

We have created a simple “ABOUT” single slide which you can instantly insert into your pitch deck when submitting speaker proposals.

Features:

  • video links,
  • short concise bio
  • Book images and
  • topic list.

Gallery Images

Download Talent Files