Justin Fornal
Keynote Speaker: International Explorer & Cultural Researcher; Emmy Award-Winning Host; National Geographic Contributor
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Justin Fornal Biography
Justin Fornal is an international explorer, author, extreme athlete, and cultural researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of adventure, activism, and storytelling. He uses a blend of storytelling and activism to document vanishing traditions in crisis zones, with expertise in ancient textile production, traditional foodways, and the material culture of ritual. With more than 25 years of experience in field research, Fornal has led cultural research expeditions across numerous countries. Anthony Bourdain once described him as a showman, iconoclast, explorer, and gourmet.
Fornal first gained public recognition through his alter ego, Baron Ambrosia. Baron Ambrosia was a character Fornal played for several years—a self-proclaimed quaffer of culinary consciousness who traveled around New York City, primarily in The Bronx, documenting various ethnic cultures and their indigenous cuisines. The character appeared in Fornal's self-produced video podcast "Underbelly NYC," BronxNet's "Bronx Flavor," and "The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia" on the Cooking Channel. Fornal received a New York Emmy Award for best on-camera talent (performer/narrator) for his portrayal of Baron Ambrosia. He ultimately stepped away from the character after the feature-length film "Baron Ambrosia Is Dead" to focus on exploration and documentary filmmaking.
Fornal's transition from food personality to explorer was marked by a series of athletic achievements. He completed the first assisted circumnavigational swim of the 100-mile coastline of Islay, Scotland, carrying the flag of the Explorers Club UK Chapter over eight days. He was recognized by Men's Journal as one of the most adventurous people in the world, a distinction that led to opportunities in television. Fornal went on to host "Unexplained and Unexplored," an exploration-based program on Science Channel, where he and co-host Emiliano Ruprah use ancient maps and modern technology to investigate historical mysteries. Among the topics explored, the series examines whether the Knights Templar brought their treasure to the New World before Columbus's voyage. Off-screen, Fornal's investigative work has included tracking down the lost skull of African American slave rebellion leader Nat Turner and repatriating it to Turner's descendants.
Beyond television, Fornal is committed to humanitarian exploration. Through his nonprofit, the History, Arts, & Science Action Network (HASAN), he collaborates with minority communities facing discrimination or genocide, working to provide an international platform for them to showcase their heritage and reclaim their narratives. He has organized and led research expeditions through countries including Iraq, Somalia, Haiti, Yemen, Ethiopia, Liberia, the West Bank, and Arctic Greenland. Fornal's writing has appeared in leading publications, and he is a Society of American Travel Writers Gold Medal Award recipient who has written extensively for National Geographic, VICE, The Explorers Journal, Parts Unknown, Adventure Journal, and Roads & Kingdoms.
Fornal continues to advance sustainable and purposeful exploration. As explorer-in-residence and director of international content for ENERGEA, he documents the impact of renewable energy on the culture of remote indigenous communities accessing electricity for the first time. He launched "Sahel by the Sun," a crossing of the African continent from Dakar, Senegal to Xaafuun, Somalia using a solar-powered Land Rover Defender, with the goal of showcasing vanishing cultural traditions of the Sahel Region and promoting sustainable exploration. A resident-fellow of the Explorers Club, Fornal has also served as a keynote speaker at the GLEX Global Exploration Summit in Porto, Portugal, where he presented "Cultures in Crisis." Fornal's work spans swimming through Arctic waters, venturing into conflict zones, and presenting to audiences on topics related to exploration, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
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How do I book Justin Fornal to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Justin Fornal for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Justin Fornal, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Justin Fornal or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Justin Fornal for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Justin Fornal, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Justin Fornal are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Justin Fornal, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Justin Fornal speak about?
Justin Fornal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Adventure, Extreme Sports, Culture, Research & Exploration, Host & Emcee, Journalist, Non-Fiction Authors and Television & Film.
Where does Justin Fornal travel from?
Justin Fornal generally travels from Yonkers, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Justin Fornal?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Justin Fornal for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Justin Fornal for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Justin Fornal or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Justin Fornal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Adventure, Extreme Sports and Culture. The estimated speaking fee range to book Justin Fornal for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Justin Fornal generally travels from Yonkers, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Neal Petersen, Josh Gates and Bill Weir. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Justin Fornal for an upcoming event.
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How do I book Justin Fornal to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Justin Fornal for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Justin Fornal, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Justin Fornal or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Justin Fornal for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Justin Fornal, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Justin Fornal are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Justin Fornal, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Justin Fornal speak about?
Justin Fornal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Adventure, Extreme Sports, Culture, Research & Exploration, Host & Emcee, Journalist, Non-Fiction Authors and Television & Film. -
Where does Justin Fornal travel from?
Justin Fornal generally travels from Yonkers, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Justin Fornal?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Justin Fornal for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Justin Fornal for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Justin Fornal or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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