Neal 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 opens the mind to "turn barriers into opportunities.”

He knows how to interact with different cultures and people from everywhere – he is well traveled and has lived in many parts of the world. Currently, has homes in the USA, Dominican Republic and South Africa.

An award winning author, solo racing yachtsman and global investor, Neal Petersen shares real life examples of how he overcame tremendous barriers by always turning them into advantages—then into opportunities. 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. Neal has “wowed” international audiences with his story and how he relates it to their challenges, which typically ends with standing ovations.

In these challenging times of uncertainly, fear and insecurity rise, 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.

Take away values:
• Neal carries a treasure chest on stage to empower others to turn your baggage into treasures.
• Innovate — how to capitalize on ever changing winds storms.
• Change - adapt to wind shifts and stormy seas by knowing when to alter course.
• Leverage economic challenges to your advantage—keep pumping, choose a winning course and navigate to your advantage.
• Attitude adjustment - refresh your vision - There are No Barriers ~ Only Solutions!
• Elements of success include determination, perseverance and hard work.
• With hope and planning, a dream can become a reality – anything is possible.
• Life is about choice, with choice are consequences ~ chose your course wisely.

Neal will inspire, entertain and captivate while providing the tools to prepare audiences to tackle their barriers, by providing hope, a change in attitude and the vision to navigate these challenging times ahead, not just for today – but, more importantly, the next generation. “Strive not only for success ~ but for significance!”
"Neal is one of the most inspiring, dynamic and thought provoking speakers you will ever witness, he is mesmerizing."

Neal has delivered keynotes at multiple events for IBM, AIG, Cisco, Mars, Microsoft, Intel, Mass Mutual, Prudential and MDRT.