Grit & resilience keynote speaker in Jordan
Paris Norriss has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East. In October 2025 he delivered The Grit Code at TEDx Amman to around 4,000 people in the Roman Theatre. He brings the same keynote to Jordanian conferences, companies and universities.
Ambition needs staying power
From start-ups and tech teams to corporates and international organisations, Jordanian teams are asked to deliver big goals under pressure.
Ambitious plans get the attention, but results depend on people who keep going through setbacks and long timelines. That is grit: the mix of passion and perseverance behind long-term goals.
The Grit Code turns grit into skills teams can train. It comes from a speaker who knows the region: Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
TEDx Amman, Roman Theatre
In October 2025, Paris took the stage at TEDxAmman as part of TED’s Global Ideas Search, with TEDxAmman representing the Middle East. Around 4,000 people, most of them young people and students, filled the ancient Roman Theatre in Amman.
What stayed with him most came after the talk, when students surrounded him with questions and ideas. “The future is in very good hands,” he wrote.
Built for rooms that need to perform
Conferences & kick-offs
Annual conferences, sales kick-offs and leadership summits in Amman and beyond.
Founders & tech teams
Grit for founders and teams building through uncertainty.
NGOs & international teams
Resilience for people doing demanding work over the long term.
Talks for Jordanian audiences
The Grit Code
Resilience, mental toughness and high performance, built from real stories in extreme environments.
Grit Deconstruction workshop
A hands-on session that maps where your team breaks under pressure and builds a plan to fix it.
Virtual keynote
For regional and hybrid teams, with expedition footage and live Q&A.
Host / MC / panel
A TV presenter to keep summits, forums and award nights on time and on energy.
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
TEDx Amman
The Grit Code to around 4,000 people in the Roman Theatre, October 2025.
7 marathons, 7 continents
Seven marathons on seven continents (Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and North America) 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.
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 (October 2025), the UN Tourism General Assembly, COP28 at Expo City Dubai (December 2023), Expo 2020 Dubai (2021), the US Army, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz, IHG and Durlston Partners. See past speaking events →
In person or virtual
Available for in-person events in Jordan, or virtually in your local time.
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two months ahead.
Paris presents in English. Organisers can arrange an interpreter if the audience would benefit.
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.
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.
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.
Past events in Jordan
- TEDx Amman: The Grit Code in a Roman Theatre – October 2025 · Roman Theatre, Amman
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Jordan?
Yes. Paris is available for conferences, leadership events, universities and forums in Amman and across Jordan, in person or virtually in your local time.
Has Paris spoken in Jordan before?
Yes. In October 2025 he delivered The Grit Code at TEDx Amman, part of TED’s Global Ideas Search, to around 4,000 people in the Roman Theatre in Amman.
Does Paris understand the region?
Yes. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East, and he knows the region’s audiences first-hand.
Does Paris present in Arabic?
Paris presents in English. If your audience would benefit, organisers can arrange an interpreter, and every talk is tailored in a briefing call.
How far ahead should we book?
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two 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.
Bring grit to your next event in Jordan
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