The Sweeney Agency

About Neal Petersen - Inspiring Speaker and Adventurer:

An award winning author, world-class single-handed professional racing yachtsman and global investor, Neal Petersen shares real life examples of how he overcame insurmountable barriers by always turning perceived disadvantages into advantages—then into opportunities.

Petersen has completed two amazing journeys in his life: a single-handed yacht race around the world, 27,000 miles, 9 months at sea, alone, and in a yacht he designed and built himself. And an even more arduous and eventful trip of overcoming racial prejudice during the Apartheid era in South Africa, poverty, and a childhood physical disability, just to make it to the start line! While sharing his riveting life story - and philosophy, Neal's personal messages and unique delivery will open the mind, with new hope and a determination to break down the barriers, real or perceived, that now exist and to take adversity head on and demonstrate that with determination and hard work you can achieve your goals.

Petersen has wowed international audiences with his story and how he related it to their challenges, which usually ends with a standing ovation. He has delivered keynotes at multiple events for IBM, AIG, Cisco, Mars, Microsoft, Intel, Mass Mutual, Prudential, Citigroup and MDRT.

Neal knows how to interact within different cultures, is well traveled and has lived in many parts of the world and has homes in the USA, Dominican Republic and South Africa. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at the College of Charleston’s International Business School.

To date he has published two books: No Barriers was published in 1994, and Journey of a Hope Merchant: From Apartheid to the Elite World of Solo Yacht Racing in 2004. Both books deal with various aspects of his yachting career, with No Barriers concentrating on his first journey from South Africa to Europe. Journey of a Hope Merchant – winner of the 2005 National Outdoor Book Award - is written with a freshness and style that reflect his unstoppable optimism, the story of Petersen's compelling journey is proof that the harshest lessons learned at sea apply to all aspects of life and that even the wildest dreams are attainable. Peterson was also the subject of a PBS documentary about his life, The Story of Neal Petersen.

What Neal Petersen Talks About:

No Barriers - Only Solutions

In his captivating and empowering No Barriers – Only Solutions keynote, Neal demonstrates how success is realized—through innovation, balancing risk against return and being flexible enough to adapt to constant shifting winds. Neal Petersen has challenged thousands to prevail against their own formidable barriers and setbacks and to turn them into treasures.

In these challenging times of uncertainty, many feel like solo sailors—adrift, grasping for survival. Neal lays out the importance of a clearly communicated vision and direction, followed by detailed planning, preparation, passion and execution, using his personal story to show audiences how they, too, can achieve their goals.

Audiences will better understand:

• The importance of realizing goals through perseverance,
• Choosing conquest over adversity. Never give up!
• The power of positive attitude and how it affects one’s performance.
• With choices there are consequences—choose wisely.
• Change—adapt to wind shifts and stormy seas by knowing when to alter course.