I may be blind, however my clarity on my purpose and goals is laser focused
“Trust is the foundation of high performance. Without trust in yourself and your team the extra ordinary is not attainable.”
- Matt Formston
Matt Formston is no ordinary athlete. With less than 3%
vision, he’s a world champion surfer, Australian Paralympian, cyclist, author, Executive Coach and international keynote speaker.
Matt’s extraordinary journey includes surfing giant waves as a blind athlete, documented in the feature documentary The Blind Sea, and running clinics for visually impaired children to embrace the ocean’s freedom. His impact extends to launching the award-winning children’s book « Surfing in the Dark » and winning prestigious surfing awards, including a Guinness World Record for the Largest Wave. Matt is a relentless force breaking barriers and inspiring worldwide.
Matt Formston
“Matt is one of those extraordinary people who has so much to teach all of us in how we might best live our lives. His courage, curiosity and determination to never be defined by what others think is possible have allowed him to achieve the unimaginable. But it is his values of kindness and care for others; his joy for life and great sense of humour that make him a very person to know and collaborate with.”
Michelle Blum, Chief Executive Officer, Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (NSW)
Keynote presentations
Matt is an international keynote speaker who inspires leaders and teams with a can-do mindset and how to defy the limits to achieve the extraordinary.
With over 20 years of experience as an executive and big wave surfer, Matt’s story is a testament to turning differences into superpowers and unleashing potential. He empowers people to embrace uniqueness, diversity, and inclusion to forge trust in teams and leadership, crucial to any organisation’s success.
Working with renowned corporations like Hewlett Packard and Tesla to influential organisations like Westpac, Optus and PepsiCo, Matt has left an indelible mark with his insights and guidance and is the ideal keynote speaker for an unforgettable experience.
Unleashing the ‘CAN’ mindset:
Defying limits and achieving
the extraordinary
Matt’s life has been defined by defying limitations. Despite being blind, he challenged societal expectations and excelled in mainstream school, football, ice hockey, and surfing. His journey taught him that the world often says « you can’t, » but through determination and a ‘Can’ mindset, remarkable achievements are possible. By crafting a solid plan, setting ambitious goals, and embracing unwavering determination, you can transcend imposed limitations and accomplish feats beyond imagination. Join Matt in shattering barriers and embracing the transformative power of the ‘Can’ mindset.
Forging trust in teams and leadership: The crucial pillar of success
Trust is the linchpin of successful teams and leadership, especially in high-stakes environments like big wave surfing where it’s a matter of life and death. Building trust requires transparent communication, listening, and a commitment to shared goals. Join Matt in exploring the profound impact of trust, unravelling its complexities, and navigating challenges together with trust as our guiding force.
Embrace your uniqueness: Turning differences into
Unlock your extraordinary potential by celebrating your uniqueness—it’s your ultimate superpower. Matt’s journey illustrates the transformative power of embracing diversity. From concealing his differences to celebrating them, Matt has learned that his disability is his unique differentiator. Leading with his disability as a strength, he showcases the positive impact it has had on his life, becoming a better problem solver, resilient individual, and exceptional communicator. Join Matt in embracing diversity, revolutionising the narrative, and paving the way for a future where our unique qualities are recognised as the superpowers that propel us to greater heights.
Unleashing your potential: Setting audacious goals for extraordinary success
Image by Peter Jolli Wilson @joliphotos
Embark on a journey of realising your true capabilities by daring to set outrageously ambitious goals. From envisioning himself riding for Australia without owning a bike in 2009 to becoming a World Champion and holding a World Record by 2014, Matt’s story showcases the power of setting almost unattainable goals. Success results from consistent dedication, manifested through daily habits and unwavering commitment. With crystal-clear goals, a well-thought-out plan, and a cohesive team, you have the capability to achieve the extraordinary. Join Matt in exploring the transformative power of audacious goal-setting and unlocking untapped potential.
Clients
“Matt inspired our team and clients with his story of setting audacious goals and how he achieves them. He is vulnerable in the way he shares stories around the diversity he has faced in life, and left us with real take aways and processes we could all use in our business and personal lives.”
Dermot McCann, EVP and GM EMEA at Kaseya
Get in touch
info@mattformston.com