Sport &

Endurance Athletes

OLLY HICKS.

“HE SPEAKS ABOUT HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN SUCH A BEGUILING AND UNDERSTATED WAY, YOU ARE LEFT TRULY BELIEVING THAT YOU CAN DO IT TOO - THAT YOU CAN EXCEL IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD. THIS IS A POWERFUL AND EMPOWERING MESSAGE” Isham, senior Partner, Wedlake Bell LLP

On the 28th September 2005 after 124 days alone at sea Olly Hicks landed in the Scilly Isles “not much madder than when I set off ”. Completely on his own and unsupported, Olly’s 6384 km Atlantic Row earned him a Guinness World Record. It was a remarkable achievement for a young man who had never rowed before but it hadn’t quenched his thirst for adventure.

Olly’s next mission was to row single-handed around the world. The aim was to row from Tasmania to South Georgia, through the tempestuous Southern Ocean and back to Tasmania – a trip of 18000 miles that would take 20 months. It was a mission that has been described as “at best perilous and at worst suicidal” and it was a mission that would give Olly his first taste of failure.

KEY THEMES Motivation | Achievement | Teamwork

In 2009, after three years of fund raising (he secured the backing of Virgin and Google) and planning he set off but after “only” 96 days boat problems meant that he had to abandon the voyage. Olly’s sole focus now is to try again, setting out in September 2012.

Olly is witty and understated, he gives a fascinating insight into what drives him to achieve his goals and the lessons he has learnt along the way – lessons about project management, team work and the importance of being good at maths. How Olly deals with fear and loneliness, success and failure will resonate with audiences from all walks of life.

www.speakersfromtheedge.com 25