Debra Searle MVO, MBE is a truly inspirational motivational speaker.  She has an extraordinary story and first hit the headlines when she set out to row across the Atlantic with her husband – a six foot-five international oarsman. Unfortunately, he had to be rescued so Debra, a novice rower, continued alone without a support boat and rowed 3300 miles from Tenerife to Barbados. It should have taken them six weeks, but Debra ended up spending three and half months at sea alone and unsupported, encountering 30′ waves, sharks, and force 8 squalls in her 23-foot  plywood boat. Since returning from this adventure, Debra has undertaken solo and team expeditions across the globe. She has also represented Great Britain at European and World Championship level in Dragon Boat Racing winning bronze, silver and gold medals.

Media

Debra is a regular presenter for the BBC, with credits including Grandstand, Extreme Lives, and Builders, Sweat and Tears. The movie of Debra’s solo Atlantic row is currently in development in Hollywood.

Motivational speaker

Debra has spoken at well over 1100 events around the world, across every industry sector but she is more than your usual sports speaker. Debra has founded 5 companies including MIX Diversity, a Diversity & Inclusion consultancy, so is able to speak with authenticity about what it takes to succeed in business. She has presented 40 programmes for the BBC and had 3 books published. Her spirit of adventure gained her a Member of The British Empire (MBE) from Her Majesty The Queen and she spent 10 years on the board of a charity with two members of the Royal Family, so has great board-level experience to share. Debra was further appointed a Member of The Victorian Order (MVO) for her services to the Royal Family.

Debra always personalises her presentation based on the theme of the event, however, three very popular theme areas are Choose Your Attitude: It’s Not Magic, It’s Mindset, Practical Tools to Stay Motivated and Build Resilience and Choose to Challenge (this presentation is ideal for  International Women’s Day, Women in Leadership events or Female Talent Development Programmes).

In 2022, Debra was ranked no.3 in the World’s Top 30 Motivational Speakers, after Simon Sinek at no.1 and Tony Robbins at no.2, making her the highest ranking female motivational speaker in the world. In 2023, a British newspaper listed Debra as one of the World’s Top 50 Inspirational Leaders.

Feedback on her presentations includes:

• “You’ve clearly had a massive impact on our Division … We’ve never had feedback like it for a guest speaker!” – Kate Cook, Nestlé UK
• “I have never heard a better speech, anywhere, in any context.” Alan Farnsworth, President, Bausch & Lomb EMEA
• “Your story was deeply inspirational to both women and men. We received hundreds of positive comments from individuals across the globe.”  Dell Technologies
• “Of all the keynote workshops I have ever done, this was the best. The exercises were fun and practical. The people at my table really took these exercises seriously and we had constructive dialogue.” Royal Bank of Canada
• “She scored 5 out of 5 from every one of the 170 delegates.  This is unheard of at an IBM event” IBM

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