This was the best lecture of the series. He was genuine and inspirational; natural and open with his thoughts. The visual accompaniment was very helpful. A very high note to end the series this year.
Nando Parrado
New York Times Bestselling Author, Rugby Legend, Hero and Inspiration for the Movie, Alive
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Nando Parrado
Biography
Nando Parrado is the hero of the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 rescue. Parrado's story has been referred to as the greatest survival story of all time as he recounts the extraordinary tale of how he and 15 of his teammates survived for 72 brutal days after their plane crashed into the frozen Andes Mountains 50 years ago.
For over three decades, Parrado has moved global audiences through sharing his story of survival, resilience, and determination in the Andes. While it is almost certain no one has experienced surviving a plane crash at cruising altitude, Parrado believes every listener can strongly relate as we all have our own Andes to conquer.
Nando Parrado began to speak about his experiences in the Andes when he was invited to address the Young Presidents' Organization in 1992. After speaking to several multinational companies, he transformed into one of the most unique speakers in the world. He is uniquely qualified for international audiences having spoken worldwide and being fluent in five languages English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French.
As a sportsman, seminar leader, and president of several companies, Parrado uses his survival story to articulate innovative strategies for those that need to scale personal or business mountains in the twenty-first century.
His timeless takeaways from his experience have resonated with global audiences on a new level through the difficulties COVID-19 has presented to the world as we know it. Parrado's virtual and in-person formats provide a front row seat to his message of overcoming obstacles, how to face severe isolation, and maintain hope.
His story has continued to remain in the limelight - first being told in Pier Paul Read's 1973 publication of Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. In 1993, Ethan Hawke portrayed Parrado in the movie Alive. Parrado soon debuted as #10 on The New York Times bestseller list as a first time author with Miracle in the Andes in 2006. The riveting story was retold in The History Channel documentary I Am Alive: Surviving the Andes Plane Crash in 2010.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the rugby team's rescue, Netflix has now announced the 2023 release of the new film, Society of the Snow. Spearheaded by J.A. Bayona, director of the Oscar-nominated film The Impossible.
Nando and his family reside in Uruguay where he is enjoying early retirement after a successful career in television and entrepreneurship running real estate developments, an ad agency, and a chain of hardware stores. He is now focusing on family and his many hobbies which include boating, historic race cars, and travel. Parrado is currently serving as an advisor to the upcoming Netflix film and continues to speak both in-person and virtually to audiences across the globe.
Nando Parrado
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Miracle in the Andes
by Nando Parrado
In the first hours there was nothing, no fear or sadness, just a black and perfect silence. Nando Parrado was unconscious for three days before he woke to discover that the plane carrying his rugby team, as well as their family members and supporters, to an exhibition game in Chile had crashed somewhere deep in the Andes. He soon learned that many were dead or dying--among them his own mother and sister. Those who remained were stranded on a lifeless glacier at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, with no supplies and no means of summoning help. They struggled to endure freezing temperatures, deadly avalanches, and then the devastating news that the search for them had been called off. As time passed and Nando's thoughts turned increasingly to his father, who he knew must be consumed with grief, Nando resolved that he must get home or die trying. He would challenge the Andes, even though he was certain the effort would kill him, telling himself that even if he failed he would die that much closer to his father. It was a desperate decision, but it was also his only chance. So Nando, an ordinary young man with no disposition for leadership or heroism, led an expedition up the treacherous slopes of a snow-capped mountain and across forty-five miles of frozen wilderness in an attempt to find help. Thirty years after the disaster Nando tells his story with remarkable candor and depth of feeling. Miracle in the Andes--a first person account of the crash and its aftermath--is more than a riveting tale of true-life adventure: it is a revealing look at life at the edge of death and a meditation on the limitless redemptive power of love.
Nando Parrado
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