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Chris Bowes
PrintOvercoming adversity
Chris Bowes was attacked by a Great White Shark leaving him with a permanent disability and changing his life forever. Life will throw all kinds of challenges at you, and Chris highlights how there can be so much to gain if you can come out the other side.
Speaker Categories
- After Dinner Speakers
- Community / Social Conscience Speakers
- Goal Setting Speakers
- Inspirational Speakers
- Motivational Speakers
- Overcoming Adversity / Resilience Speakers
- Team Building and Teamwork Speakers
Testimonials for Chris Bowes
Chris spoke with real emotion and humanity. There were parts of his incredible story that made the hairs on my arm stand to attention. Surviving the shark attack itself was simply the beginning of a truly inspirational come back and rebuild of his whole way of life. To say I was inspired and moved by what Chris has achieved is an understatement. With a view to continue doing the things he loved (like surfing) after being told it was not going to be possible is a real lesson in strength, courage, persistence, love and perseverance. All qualities of a great leader and a remarkable human being.
President of Urban Development Institute of Australia
Chris's presentation is honest and authentic. His story is remarkable and his strength and determination admirable. His friendly and open personality made him an ideal presenter for our event.
Master Builders Association of South Australia Inc.
I have been privileged to hear Chris Blowes speak on two occasions. For me, Chris’s story resonates on many levels. Of course his survival was extraordinary, but that was largely out of his hands. The courage shown on the day of the shark attack can be credited to his surfing mates. The skill and tenacity demonstrated is a tribute to the many health professionals involved. Where Chris had to step up was from the moment he awoke from the sedation in the hospital ICU. His recovery and rehab is a wonderful tale of mental strength and willpower. To finally return to his highly physical work as a builder and to resume his surfing is a measure of his character. And in his telling of the story in a typically understated, laconic Aussie fashion, there is a message for all of us about the power of positivity.
Dr Richard Harris SC OAM - 2019 Joint Australian of the Year
Chris is a wonderful speaking talent with a great heart and a tremendously powerful story. Having survived the most horrific ordeal imaginable, his willingness to relive the terror he faced and share his experience for the sole purpose of helping others is incredibly inspiring. It’s very rare that you come across someone who can render any audience speechless, regardless of who they are and you can guarantee anyone who hears Chris present will leave feeling more grateful to be alive.
Young Blood Men’s Health Matters
Fee Range: Up to $5000
Chris Bowes's Biography
Chris Blowes shares a love for the outdoors, but particularly the coastline. These days you will find him running his successful building business, but in his spare time he is like any avid surfer -hunting for the best waves.
Unfortunately on Anzac Day 2015, things took an unexpected turn and Chris found himself face to face with a great white shark whilst surfing near Port Lincoln. Whilst Chris came off second best from the encounter, he knows more than anyone just how lucky he is to have survived it.
Chris is now an above knee amputee and disability advocate. He does motivational speaking engagements where he shares his story about overcoming adversity in the hope to inspire others navigate life’s challenges. He and his wife Chloe currently live in Adelaide with their son Eddie.
Chris certainly has quite a story to tell and its one you will definitely want to hear.
Chris’s presentation will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone, celebrate your failures and encourage you to find a deeper purpose in your trauma.
‘We all carry our own traumas, but can we look deeper to find a bigger purpose in them. Some of us have already faced hardship, or it might be ahead of you. We can all relate to the challenges life throws at us. But it’s about how we face up to them, it’s about how we perceive the heartache. ‘
Chris’s speaking engagements will give you the key take-aways and reality checks that will help motivate you through moments of hardship and inspire you to achieve your goals. He speaks about overcoming fears, using challenges as opportunities and the importance of showing vulnerability to truly harness and foster deep and meaningful relationships.
Speaking Topics Include
Overcoming adversity - Chris was attacked by a Great White Shark leaving him with a permanent disability and changing his life forever. Life will throw all kinds of challenges at you, and Chris highlights how there can be so much to gain if you can come out the other side.
Dealing with your inner critic - Everyone has that voice inside their head that tells you - “you’re not good enough” or “you can’t do it”. Having the courage to recognise and stand up to these limiting beliefs is important so you can achieve your full potential.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone - It’s easy to stay within your comfort zone, but the true magic happens when we push the boundaries. When we take risks and do something that scares us, that’s when the biggest growth happens.
Overcoming fear of failure - So often we look at failure as something bad or negative. But if we can change our thinking to embrace our failures and view them as an answer and an opportunity for learning there can be so much to gain.
The power of gratitude - Even in the darkest of times, Chris still had plenty to be grateful for. Research shows that a regular gratitude practice improves your wellbeing and ability to cope with stresses. Learn gratitude strategies to help get you through moments of hardship or those tough days.
Finding purpose in your trauma - Everyone has a story and everyone carries their own trauma which is often associated with negative connotations. Chris inspires you to look at your trauma through a different lens and find a bigger purpose beyond the heartache.