Joe Simpson

World-famous Mountaineer and Keynote Speaker

Joe Simpson, renowned as one of the world's best-known mountaineers, has channeled his experiences into becoming a leading author and motivational speaker. "Touching the Void," the incredible story of his survival after shattering his leg and being left for dead in a crevasse high in the Andes, has sold over a million copies globally.

Joe Simpson now shares his knowledge and compelling stories with the corporate sector as an extraordinary motivational speaker. His story, Touching the Void, can be customized to provide relevance and motivation for virtually any business audience. His presentations can focus on various topics including Teamwork, Leadership, Personal Development, Risk Assessment, Management Style, and Training.

After his first corporate speech, Joe received phenomenal feedback: "I am writing to express enormous praise for Joe Simpson's incredible motivational speaker presentation. Joe added a new dimension to our meeting, not just through the power of his story, but also through his inspirational speaking qualities. We would have no hesitation in recommending Joe to anyone." - National Sales Manager, Hoechst Marion Roussel. Thirteen years later, Joe Simpson has built a reputation on the speaking circuit that is unparalleled.

Having spoken to a wide variety of audiences of different nationalities, Joe has consistently exceeded all expectations. His presentation as a motivational speaker is supported by an all-action introduction video and stunning photography.

Touching the Void Film

Following the sale of the movie rights of Touching the Void to Tom Cruise's and Sally Field's movie company, the rights to a 90-minute drama-documentary were sold to independent producers Darlow Smithson, working for Channel 4 and PBS. It has been distributed in UK cinemas by Pathe and in the USA by IFC. The drama-documentary film of 'Touching the Void' won the 2004 BAFTA for Outstanding British Film of the Year, beating 'Cold Mountain', 'Love Actually', and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring', as well as The Evening Standard Best Film of the Year 2004. It is now officially the most successful documentary in British cinema history. Promotion for the film included extensive interviews, including BBC World News Hardtalk, Letterman, and Oprah.

Award-winning Author

His sixth book, "The Beckoning Silence," was published in January 2002 and was made into an impressive documentary first broadcast on C4 in October 2007. 'Touching the Void,' the best-seller translated into 22 languages, won the Boardman Tasker Prize in 1988, NCR Non-fiction Award in 1989, Deutsches Literaturpreis in 1990, and Premio del Libro di Montagna in 1993. It has sold over two million copies globally. He is also the author of the novel 'The Water People' and non-fiction works 'This Game of Ghosts', 'Storms of Silence', and 'Dark Shadows Falling'. To date, all his books have been short-listed for the Boardman Tasker Prize. In late 2009, Joe revisited the Himalayas, where, in a solo climb, he succeeded in conquering a new route on the southwest face of Mera. Joe’s second novel, 'The Sound of Gravity', was published in September 2011.

Speaking Topics:

Joe Simpson’s presentation, 'Touching the Void,' has become a classic in mountaineering literature, praised as a psychological and philosophical testament to the rarest drive.

It is a tale of two men thrust into a nightmare of terrifying life-and-death choices and heartbreaking decisions. It addresses agony and terror, courage and weakness. It speaks of trust and friendship tested to the utmost limits of human endurance. It is a narrative of the triumph of the human spirit, the immense instinct to survive, and the innate strength we have within us to succeed.

Joe’s appeal as a speaker lies in his unassuming, articulate, and often humorous storytelling. He refrains from making patronizing analogies between his exploits and the jobs of the audience, allowing them to draw their own conclusions from the multitude of key messages embedded in his story. The overarching sentiment is one of total amazement, and the realization that no matter how tough things get, there is a way to not only get through it but to achieve even greater goals.

The speech lasts for 60 minutes and touches on the following themes, which are vital in the lives of every individual:

• Planning
• Strategy
• Risk
• Teamwork
• Goal Setting
• Leadership
• Responsibility
• Decision Making
• Motivation