- Kiama, Australia
Brett Connellan Keynote Speaker
- Shark attack survivor and professional surfer
- Motivational speaker on resilience
- Advocate for mental health
Brett Connellan's Biography
“It’s unfortunate that it often takes a bad event in one’s life to gain perspective and finally start living” says Brett Connellan.
Brett Connellan is a shark attack survivor.
On March 30, 2016, every surfer’s worst nightmare became Brett’s reality when a Great White Shark took off most of his thigh on the South Coast of New South Wales.
Then 22-years old, Brett Connellan had lost three-quarters of his left quad, and emergency responders on the scene were sure he would not make it. Fortunately, the cards fell in Brett’s favour, and he managed to pull through with the help of a brave friend, timely emergency support and a healthy serving of luck.
One of Brett’s many operations required extracting his left lat muscle and replacing it in his thigh in hope that it would enable him to walk again. With doctors unsure if he could even walk, the likelihood that he would ever be able to surf was next to zero.
The events that saved Connellan’s life were not lost on him, and that perspective was needed as he faced a long and challenging road to recovery. While questioning his purpose and identity, he also developed a different mindset towards resilience, which eventually helped Brett defy the odds to be able to walk and now, surf again.
In 2023 Brett released Attacking Life a feature film documenting not just how the freak attack happened but also his mental and physical recovery.
Powerfully open and engaging, Brett Connellan has shared his inspiring story through a series of keynote sessions for corporations, schools and mental health organisations in Australia. Not only do they highlight key principles that he has learned along the way; they provide major life perspectives and tangible takeaways that his audience can start implementing today to live a happier, more purpose filled life.
Brett Connellan's Speaking Topics
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Resilience
Discover how to build resilience and adapt to life’s unexpected challenges with clarity and purpose. Brett Connellan shares his story as a shark attack survivor and motivational speaker, showing how ambition, mindset and goal-setting can turn adversity into opportunity. His keynote talks inspire audiences and give practical tools to create action plans, navigate challenges and become the author of their own life story.
These presentations are designed for a wide range of audiences including schools, corporate teams, conferences and community groups. Brett’s story and insights provide inspiration, teach resilience, and equip listeners with strategies that can be applied in everyday life and professional environments.
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Goal Setting
Brett Connellan’s near-death experience as a shark attack survivor gives a powerful perspective on goal-setting for individuals and teams. His motivational talks show how ambition, mindset and clear goals can transform setbacks into growth and how resilience in the face of adversity can lead to meaningful achievements.
Designed for schools, corporate teams, conferences and community groups, Brett’s keynote presentations inspire audiences, share practical strategies for navigating challenges and equip listeners with tools to set ambitious goals and take control of their own life story.
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Teamwork
Practical change management workshops that use interactive, scenario-based learning to promote teamwork, critical decision-making and organisational resilience. Brett Connellan draws on his experience as a Great White shark survivor to show how collaboration, communication and adaptability can help teams overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
These sessions are suitable for schools, corporate teams, conferences and community groups, giving participants actionable strategies and inspiration to improve teamwork and navigate change.
Why Book Brett Connellan as a speaker?
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He brings a powerful firsthand story of survival and recovery, offering a unique perspective on resilience, mindset and overcoming adversity.
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He translates extreme personal challenge into practical insight that helps individuals and teams reframe setbacks and build mental strength.
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He shares a deeply authentic journey, from life-threatening injury to returning to surfing, inspiring audiences to rethink limits and possibility.
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He is an engaging and relatable speaker, delivering honest, impactful messages that resonate across corporate, education and wellbeing audiences.
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His insights help organisations foster resilience, strengthen mindset and support wellbeing in high-pressure environments.
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