Topics covered (or a selection) in a keynote speech, told through anecdotes with spellbinding visual elements:
Hanli Prinsloo is a globally recognized storyteller, conservationist, and record-breaking freediver whose work explores the intersections of freedom, fear, and purposeful living. Known for her breathtaking underwater experiences with sharks, manta rays, and whales, Hanli translates these encounters into powerful lessons on courage, resilience, and environmental responsibility.
Holding multiple South African national freediving records, Hanli has spent her career pushing human boundaries while advocating for the planet. She founded the I AM WATER project, dedicated to ocean conservation and youth education, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and community impact.
Hanli’s speaking engagements combine captivating visuals with deeply personal storytelling, leaving audiences with actionable insights into fear management, connection, and mindful leadership. Her presentations resonate across corporate, leadership, and environmental platforms, inspiring attendees to embrace uncertainty, harness inner potential, and lead with purpose.
Hanli Prinsloo’s journey is one defined by a profound connection to the ocean, a passion for adventure, and a commitment to conservation. With a diverse background spanning competitive freediving, documentary filmmaking, and environmental advocacy, Hanli brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her speaking engagements.
Hanli’s fascination with the underwater world began at a young age, growing up on a horse farm in rural South Africa. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, she developed a deep appreciation for the wilderness and a longing to explore the mysteries of the ocean. This early connection laid the foundation for her future endeavors as a freediver and conservationist.
As a multiple South African freediving record holder, Hanli has pushed the boundaries of human capability in the water. Her achievements in the sport not only demonstrate her physical prowess but also serve as a testament to her courage and determination. Whether diving to record depths or swimming alongside majestic marine creatures, Hanli’s experiences beneath the surface have shaped her perspective on life and inspired her mission to protect our planet’s oceans.
Beyond her success as a competitive freediver, Hanli Prinsloo is a passionate advocate for ocean conservation. In 2010, she founded I AM WATER Ocean Conservation, an organization dedicated to promoting marine conservation through transformative ocean experiences. Through innovative workshops and educational programs, Hanli and her team work tirelessly to reconnect people with the natural world and inspire a sense of stewardship for our oceans.
Hanli’s background in social-political documentary filmmaking has further enriched her storytelling abilities, allowing her to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences around the globe. Her experiences documenting stories of transformation, hope, and inspiration have honed her ability to connect with diverse audiences and convey powerful messages of change.
As a sought-after coach, Hanli Prinsloo has shared her expertise with athletes across various disciplines, from professional rugby players to big wave surfers. Her unique approach to training combines physical conditioning with mental fortitude, helping individuals unlock their full potential and achieve their goals.
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Hanli Prinsloo introduces herself not by listing achievements, but by demonstrating what’s possible: diving to 65 meters on one breath and holding her breath for six minutes. She clarifies that she shares this not to impress but to inspire, highlighting freediving as a sport of pushing human limits with nothing more than a single breath.
She then shifts to the theme of trust. While most people think of trust as something external—trusting others or grappling with betrayal—Hanli reflects that the hardest lesson she has learned is to trust herself. Freediving, she explains, required her to place confidence in her own body, to believe that she was “born to do this” and that her body knew what to do underwater.
Hanli closes with a reminder that our bodies carry deep memory, including the “little swimmer” still within us. By trusting that memory and reconnecting with it, we can return to water, to flow, and to our true potential.
00:00 Introduction: 65m dive on one breath and 6-minute static breath-hold
00:15 Freediving as inspiration, not just achievement
00:30 Redefining trust: from external reliance to internal self-belief
00:50 Freediving’s hardest lesson—trusting her own body and instincts
01:05 Closing insight: reconnecting with the “little swimmer” within us
This short video highlights the Ocean Guardians workshops, an initiative inspired by the vision to connect coastal communities with the ocean so they can fall in love with it and protect it. The program is designed to give underserved youth direct, positive experiences with the marine environment, helping them overcome fear and discover new confidence.
The workshops bring grade seven students from local schools to the beach for two days. On the first day, participants visit a tidal pool to explore in a safe, contained environment. On the second day, they are introduced to one of South Africa’s pristine marine protected areas, where they learn the value of conservation through hands-on experiences.
Workshops include three stations: rocky shore exploration, a beach cleanup, and snorkeling. Many of the children have never been in the ocean, and some cannot swim, but through supportive mentorship they learn to float, snorkel, and engage with the ocean. By stepping out of their comfort zones, participants leave with not only new skills but also the belief that they can achieve more than they thought possible.
The video closes with testimonials from children who describe their excitement at snorkeling for the first time, their appreciation for the experience, and their newfound love for the ocean. The ultimate goal of the program is to turn fear into love, and love into long-term stewardship.
00:00 Program vision: connecting coastal communities with the ocean
00:10 Students express nervousness and fear of water
00:20 Ocean Guardians workshops explained: two days, tidal pool and marine protected area
00:35 Three activity stations: rocky shores, beach cleanup, snorkeling
00:50 Outcomes: overcoming fear, building confidence, inspiring love for the ocean
00:55 Student testimonials: first-time snorkeling, floating, and gratitude
Although the full transcript isn’t available, this video serves as a visual and emotional introduction to Hanli’s message: freediving isn’t just a physical feat, it’s a practice in trust, flow, and immersion.
The footage, showing Hanli diving with dolphins, symbolizes harmony, presence, and the deep bonds between humans and the ocean. The imagery alone conveys themes of courage, connection, and mindfulness under pressure.
00:00–00:15 Opening visuals: underwater entry and graceful movements
00:15–00:45 Encounter with dolphins: elegant, flowing interactions
00:45–01:00 Transition to deeper underwater shots: Hanli in motion, calm and centered
01:00–01:14 Closing frame: stillness, reflection, and an invitation to dive deeper—figuratively and literally
A: Leadership, fear management, resilience, ocean conservation, and purposeful living.
A: Yes—her storytelling translates seamlessly into leadership, teamwork, and resilience frameworks.
A: Yes—Hanli offers both live and virtual keynote presentations with stunning visual storytelling.
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