James Castrission

Explorer, Author, Speaker & Adventure Facilitator

James Castrission is a famous Australian Explorer constantly pushing the boundaries of human endurance.

On the 26th January 2012, he made history by completing the longest unsupported polar expedition of all time, alongside his best mate, Jonesy. In 100 years of polar exploration, no-one had EVER walked from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back without assistance. Many had tried, none had succeeded. After 89 gruelling days, they made it back to the coast after having skied 2275km with everything they needed to survive in the harshest environment on Earth.

Four years earlier they Crossed the Ditch – paddling 3318km without assistance across the Tasman Sea for another world first. They braved 10 metre swells, howling winds, endured severe food and sleep deprivation, and adverse winds and currents. They became the first kayakers to cross the Tasman Sea as well as becoming the longest transoceanic double kayak expedition. Staggering upon the shores of New Zealand, the adventurers were sunburnt, bearded, underweight, and physically and mentally wasted…but most of all happy to be alive.

In 2013, he founded MyAdventure Group – a business committed to providing Australia’s premier corporate Adventure-based development programs. Harnessing lessons learnt from the most hostile environments on earth, his corporate programs are designed to develop teams and drive competitive advantage in organisations.

He holds 2 Guinness World Records for his accomplishments and is highly regarded as one of Australia’s premier public speakers. He has written 2 bestselling books: Crossing the Ditch and Extreme South.

James speaks about:

A growth mindset is not just important for senior management: Five ingredients to growth, relating James’ own story as one of Australia’s 50 greatest explorers of all time, and introducing case studies from people like Lebron James & Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella.

Collaborating to win: James shares critical steps in creating a tribe that is aligned and working together, that supports each other, and that doesn’t put personal ambition and success over that of the organisation. This is the perfect session on how to develop a “culture” that is geared towards collaboration, and ultimately: success.

Crossing the Ditch & Crossing the Ice: Two highly motivating, story-based presentations that are perfect for motivating and inspiring an audience to open or close a conference or as an after dinner presentation. James takes you on an audio- visual journey through two of the greatest feats of adventuring in history.

Workshop facilitation:

James’ workshops and simulations can last anywhere from 90 minutes to two days and are designed to deliver sessions that activate organisations and accelerate leadership behaviours.

Competing to Win: In this engaging workshop, delegates learn steps to create an aligned tribe that is working together, that supports each other and that doesn’t put personal ambition and success over that of the organisation. This is the perfect session on how to develop a “culture” that is geared towards collaboration, and ultimately: success.

Explorers’ Growth Mindset: Five ingredients to growth, relating James’ own story as one of Australia’s 50 greatest explorers of all time, and introducing case studies from people like Lebron James & Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella. James finishes by forming individual commitments for each of your employees so they can carry forward a growth mindset – meaning you’ll be set on a path for growth into the future.

Six step journey from inspiration to execution: Your business can apply the six critical steps that ensured James not only survived, but achieved two Guinness World Record adventures to achieving any BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). It’s a model that will help your team build clarity and alignment to organisational achieving the impossible.

MyAdventure Program:

As the founder of MyAdventure Group, James Castrission harnesses lessons learnt from the most hostile environments on earth, to deliver corporate programs over one or multiple days, that are designed to develop staff performance and drive competitive advantage further, faster.

An indoor Antarctic survival exercise: You’re team is attempting to be the first people to walk unsupported from Mawson Hut to the South Pole and having been hit by an Antarctic blizzard must come up with a strategy for survival.

An adventure race: A team-based corporate race featuring engaging obstacles like rock climbing and abseiling, while also testing your ability to work together through group puzzles.

Growth mindset high ropes course: A workshop covering Growth Mindset followed by a high ropes course in which the morning’s theories are implemented into an unfamiliar and uncertain environment.

Client testimonials

If you want to be inspired, educated, informed or entertained and, at the very least, congratulated after the event on your great choice of Speaker browse our speakers.