Grit and resilience keynotes for Australian conferences
Australian audiences respect people who have actually done the hard thing. Paris Norriss rowed the Pacific and ran seven marathons on seven continents, and turned both into a keynote on grit.
No-nonsense audiences, real-world grit
Australia’s conference circuit is busy and demanding, and audiences are quick to tune out theory. They want stories with substance and takeaways they can use.
Grit, the passion and perseverance to keep going towards a long-term goal, is earned the hard way. Paris earned his on the Pacific, on the ice and on the start line.
The Grit Code turns that experience into a practical framework for Australian teams facing change, tight labour markets and big targets.
Built for Australian rooms that need to perform
Conferences & kick-offs
National conferences and sales kick-offs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Field and leadership teams
Resilience for teams working in demanding conditions.
Industry & association events
Main-stage keynotes for association conferences.
Incentive trips & offsites
An adventure story that suits incentive and retreat programmes.
Talks for Australian audiences
The Grit Code
Resilience and mental toughness from the Pacific, the ice and the start line, with tools to use the next working day.
The age of AI needs more grit
As AI changes work, the edge that lasts is the ability to keep going when the plan breaks.
Grit Deconstruction workshop
A hands-on session for leadership teams and sales groups that maps where your team breaks under pressure and builds a plan to fix it.
Host / MC / panel
A TV presenter to keep your conference on time and your audience switched on.
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
Shows in 123 countries
His adventure TV shows are distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
7 marathons, 7 continents
Ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Rowed the Pacific
In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Main stages
TEDx Amman to 4,000 people in a Roman theatre (October 2025), COP28 (December 2023) and Expo 2020 Dubai (2021).
Past audiences include the UN Tourism General Assembly, COP28 (December 2023), Expo 2020 Dubai (2021), TEDx Amman (October 2025), the US Army, DHL, Nokia and Durlston Partners.
Travelling to Australia, or virtual
Available for in-person events across Australia, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers in Australia typically book speakers about three months ahead.
The 30–45 minute virtual keynote suits national teams spread across states.
From the organisers
Paris Norriss is a true adventurer and entrepreneur. He came to speak with our Soldiers in Hawaii to tell them stories on his adventures including his most recent, rowing across the Pacific Ocean to Kauai. His story showed our team what the world has to offer, to be resilient and how important teamwork can be especially in times of hardship.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Paris Norriss in action as a storyteller, motivator and a true catalyst for transformation. Through his powerful awe-inspiring adventures, he doesn’t just recount tales of endurance and grit, he lives them.
I had the pleasure of working with Paris during TEDxAmman, the largest TEDx event in the MENA region, where he joined us as one of our inspiring speakers. From the very start, he showed professionalism, positivity, and contagious enthusiasm that uplifted everyone around him.
Cities we cover in Australia
Keynote speaker Sydney · Keynote speaker Melbourne · Keynote speaker Perth · Keynote speaker Brisbane
Perth marathon leg, no Australian clients
Paris has not had clients in Australia. His Australia tie is the Perth leg of his 7 marathons on 7 continents challenge, completed in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Australian organisers can still book The Grit Code in person or virtually. These pages are for booking, not a list of past Australian clients.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Australia?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences and leadership offsites across Australia, in person or virtually.
Can Paris present live for an Australian morning session?
Yes. Virtual keynotes are scheduled in your local time zone, with expedition footage and live Q&A.
Is the keynote suitable for incentive trips and offsites?
Yes. The adventure stories and practical tools suit incentive programmes, retreats and leadership offsites.
How far ahead should we book?
Organisers in Australia typically book speakers about three months ahead. Shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is always worth asking.
How long is The Grit Code keynote?
The flagship keynote runs 45 to 60 minutes including Q&A. Paris also delivers 90-minute to half-day workshops and 30 to 45-minute virtual keynotes.
Has Paris had clients in Australia?
No. His Australia connection is the Perth leg of his 7 marathons on 7 continents challenge.
Bring grit to your next event in Australia
Tell us the date, the city, the audience and what you want them to walk out with. You will get a straight answer on availability and fit. Prefer to talk first? Book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · Contact