The most inspirational stories are written by life, weaving a tapestry of obstacles, tears, laughter, and reaching beyond limits. For leaders, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, and those always looking to improve themselves, the experiences of those who have overcome adversity are a treasure trove of insights that fuel success and self-improvement. Passionate about sharing her journey to leave a tangible impact on the world, Maria Conceição, a Portuguese woman who broke 10 Guinness World Records, ventured into the speaking engagements arena.
Maria’s story is one of reinventing herself and breaking limits she didn’t even know existed to achieve a clear goal. For her, that goal transcended recognition or pride – it was about giving hundreds of impoverished children of Dhaka a second chance at life. An Emirates cabin crew at the time, Maria left her life in comfort to embark on a challenging path of endurance. Driven by the heart-wrenching images that a single layover in Bangladesh permanently engraved in her mind, she started breaking Guinness World Records and climbing notoriously challenging mountains, with each physical feat bringing her closer to her ultimate objective.
Intricately, Maria has never immersed herself in the athletic world before. Despite that, her determination unveiled a level of strength she didn’t even know burned inside her. Harnessing her leadership, innovation, and agility skills, Maria became the first Portuguese woman to summit Mount Everest and one of the only 50 women to climb K2 and set world records in endurance, running, and Ironman competitions. Through finding motivation in hardship, Maria realized that her story held immense power to inspire others to aim high and reach for the stars.
Since 2005 - when Maria’s pursuit began - her story has traveled worldwide, touching the hearts of many. Through that, this resilient woman has started receiving frequent invitations to speak at motivational events. Her diverse portfolio includes speaking at Clyde & Co, Harvard Business School, John Maxwell’s main annual event, Mindvalley, NAS Summit, and many more.
Her endeavors also include corporate workshops and conferences. Maria spoke at the HFW Middle East Aviation Conference 2024, an Adidas event at Benfica Stadium in Portugal, and the annual Chanel and Louis Vuitton International Women's Day conventions. Her speaking profile also includes the Elena Cardone 10x Conference in 2020. Throughout her speaking career, Maria has been invited to all corners of the world, from her home country of Portugal, the UAE, the US, and Australia to Italy, Poland, and Estonia.
With a story that everyone can learn from, regardless of background, position, or nationality, Maria’s speeches have received tremendously positive responses, from standing ovations to teary eyes and resounding laughter – a testament to her ability to captivate, uplift, and inspire. Attesting to these claims is a testimonial of Trevor McFarlane, the CEO of EMIR, who said: “Over the years at Boardroom by EMIR, we’ve hosted world-class speakers, prime ministers, ministers, and global CEOs. Yet, there was only ever a standing ovation for one speaker: Maria Conceição. That says it all about her as a speaker and source of inspiration.”
Another organizer, Vishen of Mindvalley, shares: “Maria’s talk in front of 2,000 people at Mindvalley Summit was rated the best and most inspirational talk at the event, even though she was sharing the stage with some of the world's foremost speakers. I highly recommend her as a speaker.”
Central to Maria’s speaking engagements is a story of a resilient woman who didn’t know she could, but she did. Despite all the obstacles, from financial struggles to medical injuries, she never set eyes off her ultimate goal – a motivation that guided her through the tough times. During her speeches, Maria explores the intricacies of her impactful tale, able to shift the focus depending on the event’s theme, from women’s empowerment to athleticism and leadership.
Looking ahead, Maria’s calendar will revolve around more speaking engagements and conferences, starting with an event in Saudi Arabia at the MISK conference and a press conference in Pakistan. Maria has also been approached by Mindvalley to curate an online course centered around resilience, setting targets, and achieving them. Additionally, after her speaking engagement at Harvard Business School, she was encouraged by the former Dean to apply for a Harvard scholarship.
“My story is not one of reaching dreams through miracles or faith. It’s a story as challenging as it is inspirational. It’s real, it’s raw, and it shows the harrowing shadow of adversity,” shares Maria. “I believe that’s why people love my speeches so much. It’s not about cliches or motivational phrases; it’s about sharing an unfiltered story of hardship and showing that through resilience, we can achieve anything.”
Media Contact
Name: Maria Conceição
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