Keynote speaker and extreme endurance adventurer.
Corporate teams, leadership groups, sales organizations, schools, and any audience seeking a compelling mindset and resilience transformation.
I take my audiences on a journey with me. Through storytelling and strong visuals, Ryan Stramrood illustrates just how limited and governed we all are, in every aspect of our lives, by believing in our own limitations.
How we underachieve in our comfort zones and how each and everyone of us can push past impossible.
We’re all shaped and guided by ‘little impossibles’. Those things you’ve been telling yourself are not for you, are too much of a risk, things you might want to do but don’t because they’re hard, or too much effort or simply quite terrifying.
Think about what yours could be and then challenge them. You learn nothing in your comfort zone. You’ll get by and you’ll deliver nice predictable results from that safe place, but you’ll learn nothing.
Step outside, take a risk, prepare for it, work hard for it, and I promise you: you will learn something. It might not always be a happy lesson, but you will learn and you will use that learning to improve your life. On the other side, if you do succeed, you’ll realise, ‘I should have done this years ago!
Key Takeouts:
The Grit Mindset Workshop is a new offering that Ryan Stramrood is uniquely positioned to conduct.
It is designed to combine emotion with message. Dramatically leveraging his inspirational story which impacts delegates and then immediately amplifies the strong messages and inspirational emotions via one-on-one/small group engagements and a practical (ice) exercise.
The workshop adds a powerful practical element, while unpacking Ryan’s inspirational keynote.
LEARN. DO. SHARE.
Power Message + High Emotion + Close Engagement + Practical Exercise = Real Behavioural Influence
These sessions were created to accommodate smaller groups in an informal conversational format. We find a suitable venue, preferably next to some water (pool or ocean) and we talk about failure! The idea of only sharing our success stories means we miss out on the more valuable lessons we learn from our failures.
Ryan Stramrood kicks things off with an epic tale of his attempt to become the first male to ever swim solo from Russia to the USA. This was one of his biggest and most useful life lessons, but also considered (by himself) as his greatest failure.
Being able to fall and get back up again, shows you have real grit and mental fortitude. We open the floor to the group to share their epic fails, with some friendly competition incorporated.
Ryan Stramrood is a world-renowned ultra extreme open-water and ice swimmer whose exceptional feats in some of the planet’s harshest environments have redefined what ordinary individuals can achieve. A dedicated small business owner and family man, he presents a striking contrast between everyday life and extraordinary capability. Ryan’s journey began as a personal pursuit of resilience and self-discovery along the cold South African coastline. Despite no formal athletic background, he committed to mastering the mental and physical demands of hostile waters, gradually progressing from local swims to internationally recognized challenges.
He has since completed record-setting swims across the Arctic Circle, the English Channel, and other unforgiving bodies of water, cultivating a unique expertise in endurance, cold adaptation, and psychological mastery. Ryan’s message extends far beyond sport. He teaches audiences how to face discomfort, override limiting beliefs, and tap into deeper reserves of strength. Through compelling storytelling and practical insights, he demonstrates how mindset, preparation, and courage can move individuals and teams past perceived barriers.
Ryan Stramrood is not your typical adrenaline junkie. By day, he’s a dedicated small business owner and devoted family man, embodying the essence of an average Joe. However, beneath this seemingly ordinary exterior lies an extraordinary passion for ultra extreme open water and ice swimming.
Ryan has carved out a reputation as a fearless adventurer, pushing the boundaries of human endurance in some of the world’s most hostile environments. His journey is not just about conquering physical challenges; it’s a deeply personal odyssey, driven by a quest to explore the limits of human potential.
Ryan Stramrood’s journey into the realm of extreme swimming began as a personal quest for self-discovery and resilience. Despite lacking any formal athletic background, he found solace and purpose in the icy waters of South Africa’s coastline. Over the years, Ryan honed his skills and gradually transitioned from local swims to tackling some of the planet’s most treacherous bodies of water. From the frigid waters of the Arctic Circle to the unpredictable currents of the English Channel, Ryan has amassed a wealth of experience navigating the challenges of open water swimming.
His expertise extends beyond mere physical endurance; Ryan is a master at harnessing the power of the mind to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Drawing from his own experiences battling the elements, he delivers powerful insights on resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth. Ryan’s presentations are not just about swimming; they’re about tapping into the untapped potential that lies within each of us, challenging audiences to push beyond their perceived limitations and embrace the unknown.
Through his remarkable journey as an ultra extreme open water and ice swimmer, Ryan Stramrood has not only defied the odds but has also unlocked the true potential of the human spirit. His story reminds us that no challenge is too great, no obstacle too daunting, as long as we have the courage to dive headfirst into the unknown.
As Ryan continues to push the boundaries of human achievement, he invites us all to join him on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
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In a concise and motivating clip, Ryan Stramrood introduces himself as an open-water and ice swimmer who uses extreme challenges to study the mind, which he describes as the most powerful tool humans possess. He recounts how his first major swim from Robben Island to the mainland revealed the mind’s tendency to keep us safe by holding us inside our comfort zones.
Stramrood emphasizes that the point where the mind insists we have reached our limit is rarely the true endpoint. The gap between perceived limits and actual capability is what he calls “the margin,” and entering that uncomfortable zone is where learning and growth occur. He urges viewers not to allow their own mental boundaries to define their potential.
His message culminates in a call to South Africans to recognize that every person carries far more ability, resilience, and inner toughness than they realize. According to Stramrood, there is “true magic” within all of us, waiting to be activated once we push past the fear and resistance that hold us back.
In this short documentary-style piece, Ryan Stramrood opens by challenging the idea that physical limits are fixed. He stresses that people only begin discovering their true capacities when the mind permits it. He explains that he is not a naturally gifted athlete and never aspired to sporting greatness; instead, he found his way into extreme open-water swimming later in life.
The solitude of swimming, with the ocean stretching below, keeps him alert and connected to the natural world. Ryan recounts swimming across locations spanning the globe—South Africa, Gibraltar, Taiwan, Alaska, the Arctic Circle, Siberia, Australia, and South America. His first challenge at age 31, from Robben Island to the mainland, marked the beginning of a journey where one achievement continually unlocked the next, eventually leading to world records.
He emphasizes the importance of his support team, noting that extreme swims demand reliance on others as much as personal strength. Preparing for challenges like the English Channel requires training in all conditions: flat seas, rain, darkness, and rough breakers. He trains in the worst water available to ensure his body and mind remain adaptable.
When faced with hardship in the ocean, he explains, priorities sharpen; the experience clarifies what truly matters in life. Swimming is not his full-time pursuit—he balances these challenges with running a business and being a committed family man. Yet the lessons from extreme environments profoundly shape his broader life. By achieving what seems impossible in near-freezing waters, he gains confidence that he can accomplish great things across every domain of his personal and professional world.
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.
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