John McGrath

Book Here

Like
Liked

Cape Town, WC
Fee Range: 20,001 - 35,000

Tagline: Inspiring Motivation

Keynote Topics

HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTIVATION

John McGrath lives and breathes the concept that achieving and maintaining peak physical performance is the ultimate metaphor for changing your life.

When you change your body, you change your mind – and vice versa, the inner training in disciplined perseverance, endurance and strengthening is what empowers the body to push beyond its limits.

Conversely, the physical training of the body trains the mind, becoming stronger, more pure in intention and powerful in effecting permanent change.

John walks alongside us as we discover how the power of our belief in ourselves demolishes self-confining mental boundaries, which then propels us out from our lethargic mediocrity to claiming enduring excellence for ourselves.

John McGrath gives us his high performance ‘map’ which we can follow as we can change our bodies, minds and lives – and change the lives of others in a potent Butterfly Effect, where small, positive changes in an individual result in larger and larger changes in an exponentially progressive ripple effect.

Gallery

Belongs to these categories

Motivation

Videos

John McGrath was born the first of four sons, John was one of those boys who, during that time, were often not able to receive positive, empowering input towards their sense of self, life-skills, education and vocation. With the rise in unemployment and poverty, thousands of Irish fled the country for the safety of […]

Read Full Bio

With the rise in unemployment and poverty, thousands of Irish fled the country for the safety of the States or the UK, leaving behind a bleak socio-economic vacuum, that was the Ireland of the 80’s.

John now looks back at his roots and sees how they shaped his belief that challenges can either make or break a man; a powerful forge for transformation.

It is always a choice, he says, to rather see the obstacle as a challenge to tackle with tenacity, persistence and discipline – instead of a blocking, limiting problem.

It was by this very mechanism of choice that John turned his apparent ‘lack’ around into a relentless motivation to not only overcome, but triumph.

At the age of 13, John McGrath discovered the sport of rowing which radically transformed his life, seeding within him a strong conviction that he could not just be good at something, but excellent.

The key to unlocking this excellence lay in making the choice to willingly submit to the intense transformational forging of ruthless, goal-focused discipline to strengthen and sharpen both body and mind, from the inside out.

The physical exertion and mental tenacity required by rowing proved to be a powerful equalizer of status.

John McGrath | Inspiring Motivation

John’s rowing peers pursued law, mathematics or medicine at university, whilst he held down two humble and physically tough jobs – one as a binman and the other as a sheet-metal worker.

But as always, determination outpaced dollars, and sweat washed away all status, leaving each young man as equally deserving as the next of respect and opportunity.

Sport literally changed John’s identity, refining and redefining his values, goals and what it was that set him apart as uniquely excellent.

At 23, John McGrath was selected for the Irish team where they competed in Belgium, winning the International Open Championships’ gold – with his rowing career taking him around the world to Mexico, Spain and Germany.

Winning a sports scholarship from the Waterford Institute of Technology allowed John to study Sport Management & Science where he could extend his sport knowledge with academic theory.

Suddenly, mid-race, he was struck with excruciating pain, his lower back betraying him with a bulging, leaking disc. Again, John McGrath made a choice: to transform the agony of his disappointment into a challenge to conquer – despite doctors and surgeons announcing his sports career over.

Refusing to accept their opinion as fact, he returned to his earlier interest in the martial arts as a means to increase his mobility and strength. While his physical condition improved dramatically, he was unable to sufficiently rehabilitate himself and return to rowing.

When one door closes, another opens. John McGrath journey led him to new heights in his career, where he travelled between the East and West in a sort of pilgrimage, studying self-mastery and the potent power of the mind, learning how to harness the mind to push the body through the most extreme physical barriers.

Under the master tutelage of DoJuNim Ji (Bruce Lee’s teacher), John earned his black belt in Hapkido – as well as in four other styles of martial arts: Karate, Kombatan, Kung Fu and kickboxing.

At 39, John McGrath fought for Ireland in the European Kickboxing Champions in Macedonia, making the semi-finals.

Whilst martial arts can be classified as a ‘sport’ due to its competitive physicality, it is intrinsically an art. Based on an ageless, universal philosophy teaching respect, discipline, hard work, sacrifice, patience and humility, this art – as with all art – requires relentless discipline, deep study, heart and dedication.

Art means the application of techniques and skills – and not specifically the end product. Process is prized more than product. The beauty is in the journey itself – and not the destination, with self-discovery emerging along its path.

John McGrath work with organisations and individuals involves the application of these principles, with the ongoing goal of continuing improvement.

One of a series of success tools John uses is goal-setting which he bases on the belting system of martial arts where the ultimate goal is divided into smaller, realistically achievable goals.

Another martial arts concept John demonstrates through the ‘breaking arts’ is the breaking of barriers – particularly the fear-based, self-limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving our authentic potential.

Send an enquiry to John McGrath

Client Reviews

Similar to John McGrath

Rinus le Roux

Rinus le Roux was born in a small town in the North West province. This small town inspired him to develop a big game mentality and he was motivated to find my place in the world at a young age. At age 13 he got to read a book by Richard Bach. The […]

Johannesburg

Motivation

Steve Barnett

IMAGINE A WHOLE AUDIENCE OF NON-MUSICIANS BECOMING AN ORCHESTRA, NATURALLY AND EFFORTLESSLY. Steve Barnett is the Motivational Non-Speakers, Silent Conductor. Barnett was born and raised in South Africa, where he was infused with the country’s unique rhythms. He believes that the pulse and energy of his homeland are vital values to share with the world. […]

Johannesburg

Motivation

5 (4)

Rusty Labuschagne

Rusty Labuschagne is a captivating professional speaker renowned for his profound insights on overcoming adversity. His story is one of resilience, faith, and redemption—a journey that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. With sincerity and humility, Rusty shares a dramatic account of his transformational experience, leaving a lasting impact on all who hear his message. In […]

Cape Town, WC

Adversity

Michael Scholz

Michael Scholz is an accomplished speaker and has MC’d hundreds of events over the past few years. He has also assisted a number of auction memorabilia companies with incorporating and auctioning auction items at golf days and fundraising events. Michael Scholz is a professional golfer and current member of the Sunshine Tour. In the past, […]

Johannesburg

Motivation

Joey Evans

Joey Evans stands as a beacon of resilience and determination, a motivational speaker whose remarkable journey from adversity to triumph has inspired countless individuals worldwide. Joey’s life took an unexpected turn at the age of 25 when a life-altering accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Rather than succumb to despair, Joey chose to […]

Johannesburg

Adventure

5 (1)

Vinh Giang

As an experienced keynote speaker, Vinh Giang knows that what transpires on stage is not about him. It’s 100% about the audience. It’s about the life-changing lessons he’s been so fortunate to learn along the way and sharing them in a manner that transforms people. That’s where magic happens. My family are refugees from Vietnam. […]

Sydney, NSW

Communication

5 (5)

Paddy Upton

Paddy Upton stands at the intersection of sports, psychology, and leadership, a dynamic figure whose influence transcends boundaries. Renowned as an acclaimed speaker, Head Coach in international cricket, mental coach to professional athletes across various sports and countries, and a distinguished university Professor, Upton’s journey embodies the essence of innovation and excellence. With a career […]

Johannesburg

Growth Mindset

Redi Tlhabi

Redi Tlhabi has spoken and moderated at numerous national and International events for clients such as Discovery, Uber, Investec and The Global Fund. And has recently been invited by Melinda Gates and Sir Richard Branson to host/moderate their upcoming events in Johannesburg. Redi Tlhabi is a South African journalist, producer, author and a former radio […]

Washington DC

Black Speakers

Disclaimer:

The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee Range Information

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Keynote Topics

We are actively working to have our profiles current with Keynote Speech titles, and Summaries.

Some Speakers do not have a set title or summary for their topic lists. Instead they customize for each. Other speakers only do moderated conversations.

If you do not see content here, please contact us.

We also have ample information off line that we can share as some do not want to have visible profiles and as such these are hidden pages. Or in the event we do not have the information, we can contact the speaker to provide and share.