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Paris Norriss
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Keynote speaker · Colombia

Grit & resilience keynote speaker in Colombia

Paris Norriss brings The Grit Code to conferences, companies and universities across Colombia, from Bogotá to Medellín.

Why grit, why now

Building for the long term

Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, is its largest city and business centre, and Medellín has built a reputation for innovation.

Long-term goals depend on people who keep going. That is grit: passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

The Grit Code turns grit into skills teams can train, built from 7 marathons on 7 continents and a 4,800 km Pacific row.

Explore The Grit Code keynote →

In Colombia

Bogotá and beyond

Bogotá is Colombia’s capital and largest city, and hosts most of the country’s national conferences.

Paris speaks in person in Colombia or virtually in your local time zone.

Keynote speaker Bogotá →

Ideal for

Built for rooms that need to perform

Corporate

Conferences

Main-stage keynotes.

Start-ups

Founders

Grit for founders.

Organisations

NGOs

Resilience for demanding work.

Youth

Universities

The Grit Generation for students.

Keynote topics

Talks for Colombian audiences

Flagship · 45–60 min

The Grit Code

Resilience, mental toughness and high performance, built from real stories in extreme environments.

90 min – half day

Grit Deconstruction workshop

A hands-on session that maps where your team breaks under pressure and builds a plan to fix it.

30–45 min

Virtual keynote

For regional and hybrid teams, with expedition footage and live Q&A.

Half or full day

Host / MC / panel

A TV presenter to keep summits, forums and award nights on time and on energy.

Proof

Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage

01

7 marathons, 7 continents

Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.

02

Rowed the Pacific

In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.

03

Shows in 123 countries

His adventure TV shows are distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.

Past audiences include TEDx Amman, the UN Tourism General Assembly, COP28, Expo 2020, the US Army, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz, IHG and Durlston Partners. See past speaking events →

Logistics

In person or virtual

Available for in-person events in Colombia, or virtually in your local time zone.

Organisers usually book Paris about 3 months ahead.

Paris presents in English. Organisers can arrange a Spanish interpreter if the audience would benefit.

Testimonials

From the organisers

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.
Rima MannaVice President NI Middle East & UAE Country Director, NokiaOctober 2025
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.
Marah QatouniTEDxAmman 2025 OrganizerOctober 2025
Paris is both captivating and uplifting. We appreciated his open, honest, and heartfelt journey. His raw and genuine account of his pioneering adventure underlines his resilience and grit against any obstacle he faced. His story is highly impactful and we found it inspiring to deliver more passion, energy and a collaborative spirit.
Anthony MarkeChief Operating Officer – People Solutions, DulscoOctober 2023
Why Colombia

Grit for rooms that move fast

Colombia’s corporate calendar centres on Bogotá, with growing conference activity in Medellín and coastal cities. Organisers booking a grit keynote usually want a speaker who can land with mixed Spanish- and English-speaking audiences and who brings proof, not slogans.

Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. The Grit Code uses the 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km, to teach habits teams can use under pressure. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries.

Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. Sessions in Colombia are available in person or virtually.

Who books it

Leadership, sales and change

  • Leadership offsites and strategy days.
  • Sales kick-offs and annual conferences.
  • Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
  • Entrepreneurship and university events.

Formats include a 45–60 minute keynote, a 30–45 minute virtual version, and an optional Grit Deconstruction workshop. Paris can also host as MC.

Cities

Cities we cover in Colombia

Start with Keynote speaker Bogotá. For other Colombian cities, book in person or virtually through the same process. All keynote speaker locations →

Credentials

Why organisers book Paris

  • 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
  • 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
  • TV shows distributed in 123 countries; Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
  • CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
  • Clients including Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and UN Tourism.
Booking questions

FAQ

Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Colombia?

Yes. Paris is available for conferences, leadership events and universities in Colombia, in person or virtually in your local time zone.

Does Paris present in Spanish?

Paris presents in English. Organisers can arrange an interpreter if the audience would benefit, and every talk is tailored in a briefing call.

How far ahead should we book?

Organisers usually book Paris about 3 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.

Does Paris speak in Colombia?

Yes, in person or virtually. Bogotá has a dedicated page; other cities are booked the same way.

Can the talk be delivered virtually for Colombian teams?

Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual keynote is available in your local time zone.

Is a workshop available?

Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.

What languages does Paris speak on stage?

He delivers The Grit Code in English.

Who has Paris spoken for?

Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.

Check availability

Bring grit to your next event in Colombia

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 · Past speaking events · Contact

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