Grit and resilience keynotes for South African conferences
Paris Norriss helps organisations build the grit to keep performing when the plan breaks, with a keynote tested at sea, on the ice and on camera.
Grit is the edge that lasts
South African organisations deal with complexity every day, from shifting markets to operational challenges, and still compete globally.
Grit, the passion and perseverance to keep working towards a long-term goal, is what keeps teams delivering when conditions are hard.
The Grit Code gives leaders a framework and practical tools to build it across their teams.
Conferences and offsites that need to perform
Conferences & kick-offs
Annual conferences and sales kick-offs in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Leadership teams
Resilience for leaders in mining, financial services and retail.
Incentive trips & retreats
An adventure story that suits incentive and retreat programmes.
Schools & universities
The Grit Generation programme for students and young people.
Talks and formats
The Grit Code
Resilience and high performance for teams delivering in demanding conditions.
The age of AI needs more grit
As AI reshapes work, the skill that never goes out of date is the ability to keep going when the plan breaks.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 host conferences, panels and award nights.
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.
International clients include DHL, Nokia, IHG, Kraft Heinz and Durlston Partners, and Paris has spoken to US Army soldiers in Hawaii.
Speaking in South Africa, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events across South Africa, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
The 30–45 minute virtual keynote suits teams across several cities.
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.
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 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 South Africa
A grit keynote with a Cape Town finish line
South Africa’s corporate calendar runs through Johannesburg and Cape Town, with strong association and tourism events along the coast and inland. Paris Norriss has a direct link to the country: Cape Town was one of the seven cities in his 7 marathons on 7 continents challenge, completed in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
He is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. The Grit Code also draws on 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 clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Business, tourism and campus
- Mining, energy, finance and industrial leadership events.
- Tourism and hospitality conferences.
- Technology and entrepreneurial gatherings.
- University and alumni programmes.
Formats include a 45–60 minute keynote, a virtual version, and the Grit Deconstruction workshop.
Cities we cover in South Africa
Keynote speaker Johannesburg and Keynote speaker Cape Town. Other cities are available in person or virtually. All locations →
Briefing, stage and follow-through
Paris briefs on the audience and outcome, delivers with expedition and TV film, and can follow with a workshop so the ideas survive Monday morning. He presents as an adventurer and as CEO of Blazing Sand Studios.
Drakensberg to Johannesburg, time on the ground
Paris has not had clients in South Africa, but he has spent considerable time there discovering the Drakensberg, Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg.
Cape Town was also one of the seven cities in his 7 marathons on 7 continents challenge. South African organisers can book The Grit Code in person or virtually; the pages below are for booking, not a list of past South African clients.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in South Africa?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, leadership offsites and kick-offs in South Africa, in person or virtually.
Can virtual sessions run in our local time zone?
Yes. Virtual keynotes are scheduled in your local time zone, with expedition footage and live Q&A.
Does Paris present in English?
Yes. Paris presents in English, and every talk is tailored in a briefing call for your audience.
Is the keynote suitable for incentive trips?
Yes. The adventure stories and practical tools suit incentive programmes, retreats and leadership offsites.
How far ahead should we book?
Organisers 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 been to South Africa?
Yes. Cape Town was one of the seven marathon cities in his 7 continents challenge.
Does he speak in Johannesburg?
Yes. Johannesburg and Cape Town both have dedicated pages.
Is a workshop available?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.
Can the keynote be virtual?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Has Paris had clients in South Africa?
No. He has not had clients in South Africa, but he has spent considerable time there discovering the Drakensberg, Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg, and Cape Town was one of his 7 marathon cities.
Bring grit to your next event in South Africa
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