Motivational speaker and inspirational adventurer
Organizations seeking high-impact motivation, resilience training, and mindset transformation for teams and leaders.
Hein Wagner has been blind since birth, yet his life stands as a remarkable testament to resilience, exploration, and human potential. One of South Africa’s most inspirational motivational speakers, Wagner draws on a lifetime of extreme accomplishments to demonstrate how adversity can be transformed into a powerful catalyst for growth. His early years were shaped by the difficult decision of his parents to send him to a boarding school for visually impaired learners, an experience that ignited both his independence and his lifelong spirit of discovery.
Throughout his teens he confronted questions of identity, frustration, and purpose. It was only through a series of extreme adventures that he found clarity, eventually coming to view his blindness not as a limitation but as the greatest gift of his life. His achievements include completing the Absa Cape Epic, competing in the World Triathlon Series, running the New York and Two Oceans Marathons, finishing the Antarctica Marathon, completing full Ironman, tackling the Zambezi River’s white waters, and climbing the ten highest mountains in the Western Cape. Wagner also completed the Cape to Rio Yacht Race and holds the World Blind Land Speed Record at 322.52 km/h.
Beyond his athletic feats, Wagner built a successful career starting as a switchboard operator before moving into the fast-growing IT sector.
Hein Wagner has been blind since birth…and he is an exceptional motivational speaker for any conference event.
Despite this Hein Wagner has many accomplishments to his name. He has completed the Absa Cape Epic, ran the Antarctica Marathon, the Two Oceans and New York Marathons, completed full Ironman,
Hein competed in the World Triathlon Series in Cape Town, finished several Cape Town Cycle Tours, tackled the white waters of the Zambezi River, Climbed the ten highest mountains in the Western Cape, completed the Cape to Rio Yacht Race, holds the World Blind Land Speed Record at 322.52 km/h, and more.
Hein’s first school report is testimony to his adaptive nature and early sense of adventure stating that he ‘is on a constant journey of discovery’.
His teenage years proved to be more challenging as he dealt with the normal pressures of growing up and also struggled with the question of why he had to be born blind.
Not finding the answers he desperately needed made him rebellious and he subsequently made life difficult for those around him. It took a couple of extreme adventures to make Hein see the light.
Today he sees his blindness as the biggest gift he could ever hope for.
Hein started his career as a switchboard operator, but the rapidly growing technology sector soon inspired him to enter the IT industry.
Hein Wagner worked for companies such as MWeb and Thawte Consulting, where he quickly worked his way up to international sales manager, managing a team of sighted individuals.
Hein’s unique experiences and out-look on life afforded him numerous invitations to share his story and in 2004 he decided to take up motivational speaking as a full-time career.
His humorous approach to everything in life has illuminated the lighter side of living in darkness and resonates with audiences around the world.
Whether he has his audience rolling with laughter or doing introspection, he aims to leave them with the realisation that they have the capacity to achieve anything they set their minds too.
In August 2014, Hein received an honorary Golden Key award from the University of Stellenbosch for his ongoing commitment to social upliftment.
He is also the inspirational brand ambassador for SAP in the EMeA South region in Europe.
Hein Wagner is living proof that despite the challenges that come our way, anything is possible. He does not allow his blindness to stand in the way of his dreams and people often refer to him as the blind man with exceptional vision.
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In this short introduction, Hein Wagner opens by stating that he was born blind, yet has never allowed his disability to limit his ambitions or the fullness of his life. He highlights several of the extreme challenges he has completed, including the Cape to Rio Yacht Race, the Antarctica Marathon, the full Ironman, and the Absa Cape Epic. He also notes that he has twice broken the world blind land speed record, driving a car at more than 320 kilometres per hour. These achievements form the foundation of the message he delivers as an international keynote and inspirational speaker.
Wagner explains that he helps people achieve what they may believe to be impossible by reframing large obstacles as opportunities for growth. His keynote, A Blind Man with Vision, is designed to move audiences emotionally while grounding his insights in stories drawn directly from his lived experiences. He describes his presentation style as a rollercoaster of humour, inspiration, and practical wisdom anchored in three universal laws that guide his approach to navigating uncertainty.
The first is nurturing trust relationships, which he describes as the most significant connections a person will ever form. The second is appreciating what one already has, recognising that many people face far greater challenges. The third is giving generously, because even small contributions return value far beyond expectation. Through these principles, Wagner shows audiences how to build resilience, deepen purpose, and unlock a mindset capable of achieving exceptional goals.
In this concise introduction, Hein Wagner reflects on how being born blind has given him a unique vantage point on the world and a lifelong relationship with uncertainty. He explains that every step he has taken for the past 49 years has been a literal step into the unknown, a reality that has shaped his expertise in navigating environments without clear visibility or guarantees. Rather than regarding blindness as a limitation, Wagner presents it as the foundation of his resilience and as the source of insight he now shares with leaders and teams.
Wagner positions himself as a guide for organizations seeking to restart, recharge, and revitalize in the aftermath of global disruption. He emphasizes that his role is to inspire both individuals and groups to convert obstacles into opportunities, mirroring the approach he has taken throughout his life. His message is direct and motivational, showing how reframing adversity can empower people to move forward with purpose and confidence. The clip closes with a reminder that transformation begins with perspective, and that he has spent a lifetime mastering the art of moving boldly into the unknown.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Virtual speaking appearances can indeed offer cost savings compared to in-person events. Virtual speaking rates are often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates due to factors such as reduced travel expenses and logistics. This makes virtual events a cost-effective alternative for organizations looking to book speakers within a budget.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
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