Michael J. Tougias

Survivor Loch Reidy and author Michael Tougias give this joint presentation about one of the most harrowing and inspiring survival stories of all time. Learn the mindsets that Loch (“an ordinary man”) harnessed to become an extraordinary survivor, enduring three days and two nights treading water 300 miles in the middle of the storm-tossed Atlantic Ocean. When Loch’s sailboat first capsized he was with his injured captain in the water, and he did everything he could to keep him alive. The captain died, but Loch vowed to bring his body back to his loved ones. Using slides from the actual storm and rescue, Reidy and Tougias put the audience right into the action. There will be tears, gasps, and astonishment from the audience.

Having interviewed approximately 100 people whose survival stories are seemingly miraculous, Tougias has unlocked the mindsets and decision-making that allowed them to make it to the other side of life’s most daunting challenges.

Tougias wow’s audience’s with his multi-media presentations of survivor stories and the lessons learned that we can all use in our day to day lives for peak performance under pressure and overcoming adversity. 

In this multi-media presentation author and keynote speaker, Michael J. Tougias provides you with the information you need to make winning decisions. Tougias first chronicles the thirteen harrowing days of the Cuban Missile Crisis and then outlines the steps President Kennedy made to reach a decision on a course of action. The information is based on Tougias' upcoming book about the President and the U-2 spy plane pilots titled Above & Beyond: John F. Kennedy and America's Most Dangerous Spy Mission. Kennedy's deliberate method of decision-making is a worthy case study for all those who face rapid change, increased competition, career choices or a significant personal challenge. JFK's leadership and the manner in which he demanded teamwork during the crisis was spot on, and Tougias explains why.

Guardman Bernie Webber and the incredible leadership he displayed in the most daring rescue in American history.  Tougias describes the harrowing attempts to rescue the seamen on a sinking oil tanker, focusing on four young Coast Guardsmen who must overcome insurmountable odds to save the lives of 32 crewmen off Cape Cod. Tougias shares the teamwork,  leadership and decision-making lessons from this event that can help all of us perform under pressure.  The author also discusses how the true life hero of this story overcame adversity in his professional career to go on and achieve real success.  In this edge-of-your-seat presentation, audiences will see slides of the storm, the sinking of two tankers, the rescues, the survivors and the heroes of this historic event.