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Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Paul Deegan

Paul Deegan

Keynote Speaker: Motivational and Leadership Expert, Everest Mountaineer and Award-Winning Author

Paul Deegan Biography

Paul's passion for remote and wild places began on April 20, 1985 when he was thrown through the back window of a car in a high speed crash. Luckily, his head broke his fall.

Hours later, whilst he was trying to remove a shard of glass lodged in his back, a policeman came up to Paul's hospital bed and said, "You should have died today." With these words ringing in his ears, Paul vowed that at the end of every subsequent day, he would do something that would enable him to say that he'd had a great day. (Over the past 25 years, Paul has at times struggled to keep this promise. After all, he supports Fulham Football Club.)

Two years later, when he was 17, Paul proposed and subsequently co-led a 47-strong team which cleaned up three decades of rubbish that had accumulated at the base of Mount Everest. Whilst picking up used medical equipment, discarded plastic containers, and empty tins of caviar, Paul looked up and wondered for the first time what the view was like from the summit.

Turning his back on a promising career in refuse collection, Paul went on to climb, trek and explore many of the world's most popular -- and also some of its more esoteric -- mountain regions. He also traveled to some decidedly non-mountainous destinations such as the Galapagos, Antarctica, and Mos Espa. Magazines and newspapers have published over 250 of Paul's stories.

Everest remained at the core of many of his adventures. However, after becoming embroiled in the infamous "Into Thin Air" tragedy on Everest in 1996, Paul gave up his dream to reach the top of the world, and vowed never to go back to the mountain.

But the dream refused to die. After a hiatus of eight years, Paul decided to return to Everest to make a final attempt to reach the summit. And 15 years after first looking up, he looked down on the rest of the world on a really great day.

An award-winning author and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Paul is an ebullient speaker. He has accepted invitations to speak to audiences ranging from Motorola and GlaxoSmithKline to Cirque du Soleil and the Do Lectures.

Paul's aid and environmental policies include donating a minimum of 1 percent of his gross income to charitable causes, delivering a minimum of 20 percent of his talks pro bono, and carbon offsetting all his air travel.

Paul has been interviewed on the BBC, ITV, C4 and Sky, and was one of 10 finalists from 2,500 applicants in the BBC's nationwide search for new television experts. The Telegraph, The Guardian and The Baghdad Times have all covered Paul's expeditions. Paul has also been featured in The Sunday Times' popular 'Life In The Day' column.

Since reaching the summit, Paul has returned to the Everest region to thank the Sherpas who helped him realize his dream, assisted scientists studying ocean acidification on a slab of floating sea ice in the Arctic, and worked on the set of Tim Burton's "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory."

Paul loves trying new food. He has eaten raw chicken in Tokyo, curried yak stomach in Zangskar, and 10-year-old boneless pig in Yunnan. Paul acquired a taste for fermented mare's milk whilst on an exploratory expedition to the Pamirs, but found that the horse hairs and lumps of fat had a tendency to catch in the back of his throat. When he's not writing in private or speaking in public, Paul is most likely to be found in the kitchen attempting to recreate an exotic dish from his most recent journey.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Paul Deegan and other top speakers and celebrities.

Paul Deegan Speaking Topics

Overcoming Disaster: Drivers of Individual Determination on the Roof of the World

The 1996 Into Thin Air storm claimed the lives of 11 climbers and was the worst catastrophe in the history of Everest. Paul Deegan, who was on the mountain when the storm struck, vowed never to return. Yet eight years later, Deegan broke his promise and made a final attempt to reach the top of the world. Why did Deegan go back? How did he overcome extreme self-doubt about his chance of survival? And after such a long hiatus, would he be able to fulfill his lifetime ambition? During this presentation, Deegan reveals a trick of the mind to reduce the fear of failure, how a rocking chair can help you make your next big decision and why the best way to achieve an ambition is to forget about it.

Into The Unknown: Leading Your Team in an Uncertain World

At the turn of this century, most people thought there was nowhere left on Earth to discover. Then Paul Deegan organized an expedition to an unexplored range of mountains. Members of his team made ascents of previously unclimbed peaks, saw snow leopards and camels and encountered nomadic communities who had never met people from outside the former Soviet Union. To prepare for this groundbreaking enterprise, Deegan drew on his experiences as a leader and team member on expeditions to Alaska, the European Alps and the Himalayas. In this presentation, Deegan explains why he ensures that every member of his team is more talented than he is, illustrates his philosophy of invisible leadership and describes why there can be no room for passengers on any team.

Paul Deegan Videos

TEDxPhoenixville - Paul Deegan - The Benefits of Risk - YouTube
What's stopping you from Doing? - Paul Deegan

How do I book Paul Deegan to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Paul Deegan 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 Paul Deegan, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Paul Deegan or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Paul Deegan for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Paul Deegan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Paul Deegan, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Paul Deegan speak about?

Paul Deegan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Success, Adventure, Personal Growth, Climbing, Authors, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Overcoming Adversity, Innovation, Peak Performance, Marketing, Environment, Motivational and Leadership.

Where does Paul Deegan travel from?

Paul Deegan generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Paul Deegan?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Paul Deegan 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Paul Deegan 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 Paul Deegan 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.


Paul Deegan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Inspirational, Success and Adventure Speakers. The estimated speaking fee range to book Paul Deegan for live events is $20,000 - $30,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Paul Deegan generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Stacy Allison, Ed Viesturs and Neal Petersen. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Paul Deegan for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 16/01/2024.

Paul Deegan Speaking Topics

  • Overcoming Disaster: Drivers of Individual Determination on the Roof of the World

    The 1996 Into Thin Air storm claimed the lives of 11 climbers and was the worst catastrophe in the history of Everest. Paul Deegan, who was on the mountain when the storm struck, vowed never to return. Yet eight years later, Deegan broke his promise and made a final attempt to reach the top of the world. Why did Deegan go back? How did he overcome extreme self-doubt about his chance of survival? And after such a long hiatus, would he be able to fulfill his lifetime ambition? During this presentation, Deegan reveals a trick of the mind to reduce the fear of failure, how a rocking chair can help you make your next big decision and why the best way to achieve an ambition is to forget about it.

  • Into The Unknown: Leading Your Team in an Uncertain World

    At the turn of this century, most people thought there was nowhere left on Earth to discover. Then Paul Deegan organized an expedition to an unexplored range of mountains. Members of his team made ascents of previously unclimbed peaks, saw snow leopards and camels and encountered nomadic communities who had never met people from outside the former Soviet Union. To prepare for this groundbreaking enterprise, Deegan drew on his experiences as a leader and team member on expeditions to Alaska, the European Alps and the Himalayas. In this presentation, Deegan explains why he ensures that every member of his team is more talented than he is, illustrates his philosophy of invisible leadership and describes why there can be no room for passengers on any team.

Paul Deegan Videos

TEDxPhoenixville - Paul Deegan - The Benefits of Risk - YouTube
What's stopping you from Doing? - Paul Deegan
  • How do I book Paul Deegan to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Paul Deegan 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 Paul Deegan, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Paul Deegan or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Paul Deegan for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Paul Deegan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Paul Deegan, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Paul Deegan speak about?

    Paul Deegan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Success, Adventure, Personal Growth, Climbing, Authors, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Overcoming Adversity, Innovation, Peak Performance, Marketing, Environment, Motivational and Leadership.
  • Where does Paul Deegan travel from?

    Paul Deegan generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Paul Deegan?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Paul Deegan 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Paul Deegan 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 Paul Deegan 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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PAUL DEEGAN

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