Mountains & Metaphors
Ascending through Adversity
'A fascinating talk.'
'An exceptional storyteller.'
'One of the best keynotes I've heard.'
Steve Bell
Storyteller & Speaker
What does mountaineering teach us about adapting to change, embracing uncertainty, and finding new paths forward? In Ascending Through Adversity, Steve Bell takes his audience on an unforgettable journey up some of world’s most treacherous peaks, sharing lessons on resilience, perception, and the need to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
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Steve’s stories show how shifting strategies, recalibrating goals, and redefining success in the face of the unexpected, not only responds to change, but benefits from it.
Whether navigating an impossible choice on Everest, forced to retreat from a perilous ridge on Annapurna, or improvising a way out of a potentially fatal Alpine fall, each story reveals insights that resonate far beyond the mountaineering world. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, drawing inspiration from adventures that few experience, let alone survive.
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Ascending Through Adversity is a call to action: to face life’s shifts with curiosity, to see change not as an obstacle but as an opportunity, and to discover strength in the uncharted. It’s a powerful reminder that the greatest growth often comes when we adapt to the unexpected and find new ways to ascend.
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Let's talk about your next event:
'Steve's presentation was extraordinary. As someone who has conquered Everest, his storytelling and insights not only captivated the audience but also sparked a flurry of questions and discussions immediately following his presentation and across our offices in the days following. Beyond the physical feat, he eloquently conveyed the profound lessons learned during his journey, leaving a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to hear him speak.'
Landscape South Australia, 2024
'Really enjoyed listening to Steve talk about his lessons in life which are relatable to everyone and loved how he tailored it to our cohort of participants. Our participant feedback was really positive, and they expressed a wish that he had spoken longer. He did a great job of capturing the participants attention with his story telling. Highly recommended.'
SuniTAFE, Mildura 2023
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'Great feedback after your presentation with lots of “Bloody hell that was amazing.” The format you put together was very engaging and some of the comments I've had back was that people felt they hadn’t pushed themselves through the risk barrier enough to achieve that next level.'
Local Government Authorised Persons Association, SA. 2022.
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'Fantastic and inspirational and a valued learning experience.'
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, SA Chapter Conference 2021.
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