Articles on grit, resilience & purpose
Lessons from the ocean, the ice, the desert and the boardroom on what it takes to keep going.
My 5 Best Keynote Speakers for UAE Events
My personal recommendation of five keynote speakers for UAE events, from 17 years attending events here.
Principles of Grit from the Slave Trade Era
Filming our adventure TV show Guy in the Sky, we had the honour of visiting the Seychelles — not as tourists, but as storytellers. My goal is always t…
Resilience during time of Crisis
This article was written following the missile invasion in Dubai during the Iran conflict. The Grit Code: How to Navigate Uncertainty and Come Out Str…
Lessons in Grit from the Bedouins
Living in the Middle East for sixteen years has given me countless gifts, but few as profound as the occasional encounters with Bedouins who, even in …
The Grit Code - Ted Talk
I recently gave a TED talk at Tedx Amman, in the 2000 yr old Roman Theatre to 4,000 people. It was an incredible event but the message I had about The…
Why Most People Fail at the Intermediate Level (And How to Avoid It)
I pull the engine chord, the paramotor lurches me forward. Within seconds, I'm airborne above Mount Megiddo—the biblical Hill of Armageddon—coordinati…
Compass Calibration: Why Your Vision Determines Your Resilience
How a moment of profound loss taught me that clarity of purpose is the secret of a fulfilling life At 30, I thought I had it figured out. I'd secured …
The Power of Higher Purpose: Lessons from K2's Summit
Post from the K2 expedition…
From Antarctic Ice to Unbreakable Mindset: The Power of Positive Thinking
The Power of Positive Thinking Picture this: I'm standing in -15°C Antarctica, not a bit of skin showing, about to run a marathon on blue...…
Breaking The Comfort Zone: The SAS Method That Changed My Life
The Power of Mental Toughness in Action The first step of my television career began with a boxing reality show that would teach me far...…
When the World Stopped
The setup was PERFECT. We were riding high into 2020 - the dawn of a new decade, my startup finally hitting its stride after years of grinding. This w…
Why Purpose Beats Talent Every Time
Ever wondered what separates people who crumble under pressure from those who thrive in the chaos? I found out the hard way – 4,000km from mainland, h…
Articles on grit, resilience and purpose
This blog collects interviews, recaps and essays around Paris Norriss’s work as a keynote speaker, adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. The through-line is grit: how people stay effective under pressure, drawn from the 7 marathons on 7 continents and the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km.
His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views. Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Book the keynote behind these stories
If a post here resonates with your event, the next step is The Grit Code: a 45–60 minute keynote, a virtual version, or a Grit Deconstruction workshop. Paris also hosts as MC. Share your date and audience to get a short outline.
Credentials and formats
Paris is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and was a brand ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel. He is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.
Bookings can include the keynote alone, the keynote plus workshop, or hosting as MC. He grew up at Longleat, studied at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.
Bring grit to your next event
Tell us the date, the audience and what you want them to walk out with. You will get a straight answer on availability and fit.
Expeditions, television and business
Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, starting in Antarctica and finishing in Miami, with Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid and Fortaleza in between. In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
His television work includes Guy in Dubai, which has 22 million views, and shows distributed in 123 countries. He has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and he is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders. He grew up at Longleat, studied finance at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.
Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. Organisers can book The Grit Code as a 45–60 minute keynote, a 30–45 minute virtual version, or with a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day. Paris can also host the day as MC.
Common questions
What challenges does Paris draw on?
The 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km.
Does Paris still present television?
Yes. His shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and he is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios.
How do we book him?
Share the date, format and audience. He replies with a short outline and holds a briefing call before the event.
Is a workshop available?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.