460 Days in Somalia: How an Extraordinary Mindset Can Get Us Through Anything

This keynote is for:

Event planners seeking an inspirational keynote built around one of the most remarkable real life survival stories of our time, with valuable lessons woven throughout
Conferences and events looking for a speaker who will move an audience deeply and leave them with takeaways they can use long after the event ends
Any audience, across any industry, who would benefit from a powerful reminder of what the human spirit is capable of

For 460 days in Somalia, journalist Amanda Lindhout was held hostage when a famine reporting trip turned into an unimaginable struggle for survival.

Amanda’s story made headlines around the world, but what makes her keynote so compelling isn’t just what happened to her. It’s the way she transforms her experience into an unforgettable message of resilience and practical strategies that help people navigate adversity in business, within their families, and in their everyday lives. Through edge-of-your-seat storytelling, unexpected moments of humour, and hard-won insights, Amanda takes audiences on an emotional journey that is both profoundly uplifting and filled with hope.

The values that carried Amanda Lindhout through those 460 days and the decade of rebuilding that followed are ones that resonate deeply with people everywhere: hard work, integrity, perseverance, community, and the determination to keep moving forward when circumstances are beyond our control. Those same values became the foundation of her survival and are at the heart of this keynote.

This keynote includes:

A shared experience of genuine connection. This session creates the kind of emotional resonance that brings people in the room together
A new perspective on turning adversity into something useful: lessons learned, wisdom gained, and a legacy built from what we’ve overcome
The Four Quadrants of Resilience: gratitude, connection, presence and purpose
How to train your attention on what is still working well
How to stay grounded and focused when pressure and uncertainty are high, even in situations outside your control

Select Clients

Google
Mastercard
Marriott
pwc
NHL All-Star
Shell
Necker Island
Hatch
Equinix
MDRT
NHL
YPO

What Our Clients Say

"I’ve been booking keynote speakers for 25 years. I’ve seen them all. So when someone exceptional takes my stage, I know it quickly. Amanda Lindhout was that exception. The audience was so transfixed on her story that you could hear a pin drop. By the end there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and she got a huge standing ovation."

— Howard Szigeti, Producer, Unique Lives & Experiences

"I cannot recommend Amanda Lindhout highly enough. She is a very skilled, polished presenter with a powerful message for the audience based on her lived experience. Honest, authentic and authoritative, she shares openly and bravely and does so in a compelling way that appropriately translates her experience into meaningful lessons. She is a consummate professional speaker; she is also a highly engaging and warm person. Everyone who meets her feels touched by her rare presence and kindness. A singular speaker that you’ll never forget having heard."

— Michelle Campbell, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation

"Amanda Lindhout’s keynote was truly inspiring. She captivated attendees with her story and insights. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. I would certainly welcome the opportunity to include Amanda in future events."

— CIBC Wood Gundy