Rob Hamill

Rob Hamill - “Anything is Possible”

Rob Hamill is a master of his mind, he will share and delight your audience with his stories of goal setting, planning, commitment and persistence.

An extraordinary mental and physical effort - something very, very special" is how Sir Peter Blake described Rob Hamill and the late Phil Stubbs' incredible achievement in winning the inaugural Atlantic Rowing Race – dubbed the ‘toughest endurance event in history.’

Marathon rowing champion Rob Hamill was a New Zealand International rowing representative for 16 years. Rob’s numerous rowing achievements include World Championship silver, Commonwealth gold and a world record on the indoor rowing machine.

Rob competed at the Atlanta Olympics and published ‘The Naked Rower’ on how he and Phil Stubbs captured headlines around the world winning the gruelling inaugural trans-Atlantic Rowing Race in a 7m plywood row boat across 4,500km in 41 days 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Since then Rob led two further successful defences of the Atlantic Rowing Race title. In 2011 he managed Team Gallagher the 4 man rowing race across the Tasman Sea between Sydney and Auckland harbour bridges.

In 2009, Rob took the stand at the war crimes tribunal in Cambodia to testify against ‘Duch’, the man who ran Toul Sleng prison (aka S21) during the genocide in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Rob’s brother, Kerry, who was on his overseas adventure sailing around the world, strayed into Cambodian waters, was seized and taken to S21 where he was tortured and murdered. The film Brother Number One was released in 2011 that tells his brothers story and that of the Cambodian genocide.

Rob's presentations on the trials and tribulations of ocean rowing and ‘life’ projects is humorous, informative, challenging and inspirational. He says: ‘Find out what you’re good at, find out what you enjoy doing, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it!”

Rob HAMILL: “Anything is Possible” – adventurer, author, speaker, humanitarian, environmentalist

Presentations:

• Anything is Possible
• Anchor to the Goal
• The Winning Edge
• Teamwork to the Top

Testimonials:

“… hearing your story was more inspirational than all the traditional "motivational" type trainers put together.” Mike Pinkney, Pinkney Real Estate

“You made a significant contribution to the success of the Pioneer Industry Get Togethers. Overall, you scored and impressive 8.60 out of 9.00 (96%) in the evaluation questionnaire. This puts you at the top of the 10,000 presenters who have spoken at our events in the past! – well done.” Simon Fogarty, Marketing Manager, Pioneer

“Rob surpassed our expectations – engaging with our team through a combined lively style, and a content that enthralled. We recently conducted a post-conference survey, with Rob’s presentation being identified as a conference highlight.” Rob Kitson, Sales Director, Yellow Pages Group

“Words cannot describe the effect you and your stories had on the group. Suffice to say the background of the Atlantic Challenges were inspirational and damned exciting. We pride ourselves in that pioneering and winning. However, your focus on the world order opened more than a few eyes....and Cambodia and your brother utterly saddening and awe inspiring at the same time. You made a huge difference...and I now you will again with our group in times to come.” John Stewart, GM First National Real Estate

“Once again I really appreciate the professional, hilarious and poignant way you spoke.” Don Lord, Director Hagar NZ

“Your presentation engaged our group from the very start, and your personal comments, coupled with your well constructed audiovisual presentation, enthused and motivated my team - even to the extent that I overheard a number working out how they might put together a team for the inaugural Trans Tasman race!! Your message around the challenges you have faced (exceptional ones which you made sound normal !) especially with the trans Atlantic Rowing Race, inspired us all in a way that we could relate those efforts to changes to make in our own work (and personal) lives to become more effective in achieving goals.” Bruce Horsley – BCITO Group Manager Apprentice Training

“Our management team were impressed with your story, and your presentation was much appreciated. I enjoyed the way you spoke both of your adventure and also life lessons, perspectives and values. Many thanks for your time and inspiring message “Anything is Possible”. Mark Browne, General Manager, Louis Vuitton NZ

I loved your presentation. It was from the heart and I really relate to that. It’s a bit like watching a movie that is a based on a true story as compared to a Hollywood fake, the true story always gives me much more viewing pleasure. Dave Robinson, First National Real Estate

"Rob spoke for AstraZeneca at our sales and marketing conference in March 2009. He was an excellent speaker - entertaining, yet also able to get across some powerful messages. The team was quoting him for several days afterwards! Rob's strengths were not only his presentation, but also his engagement and willingness to speak with the team both before and after his presentation. We would highly recommend Rob and wouldn't hesitate to use him again." Tracey Trass, AstraZeneca

“He was extremely motivational, interesting and inspirational…It was a fun presentation, lots of laughs and some good stories.” Cara Scott, Fletcher Construction

“Thanks Rob. Your address last night captivated our audience and I particularly liked the way you wove personal aspects, values, philosophy and humour into your riveting story.” Patrick Clement, GM Nufarm

“The content of Rob’s experiences are remarkable and were presented in a light and often very humorous style. The speech will be enjoyed by the vast majority of audiences.... He went out of his way to talk to many of the guests about his life and experiences, which was appreciated and well beyond the brief. I could recommend him highly as a great after dinner speaker.” Kevin Hall, GM Brookfield Lawyers

“Thanks again for you excellent presentation at our Conference. The feedback has all been very positive in terms of your passion, the humour, the presentation slides, and the life messages. An excellent package which we thoroughly enjoyed.” Mark Macintosh, Agfirst

“As you are aware we had a most successful and enjoyable Conference with over 650 in attendance. Many people have commented that Rob Hamill’s presentation was the highlight of the Conference. I must say that his ability to thread the sponsor’s name and services throughout his address, and in such a subtle way, was indeed very clever and professionally managed.” Mike Dearsley, Rotary Conference Chairman District 9940

“Rob’s address was inspirational. His recount of the challenges leading up to and including the Trans Atlantic rowing crossing were extremely motivational. He was able to relate his experiences and objectives to a business environment, tailored specifically, in this case to our audience … he mixes easily with people… Rob is an energetic and motivational speaker and I would recommend him to anyone.” Mark Gibson, National Sales & Marketing Manager, CourierPost

“It is always difficult to find an appropriate speaker when we had an audience of such highly successful and motivated people but we found an impressive speaker this year at the breakfast in you Rob. You really captured the imagination and attention of those people and left them feeling inspired and humbled by your amazing achievements. All through the weeks competition race managers, officials, skippers, everyone that attended the breakfast, were buzzing about your presentation and talking about the attributes and skills that you must have had to achieve such a feat. You truly added value to this event and helped in making it the success that was achieved.” Sally Tye, Communication Action

“ Rob fitted the bill superbly - his story was fantastic enough in itself, as well as being highly motivational, very moving and a real eye-opener. He has the rare ability to be able to relate his personal insights to issues facing people in business today. He used his story to emphasise the importance of teamwork, planning and communication. He is without doubt one of the most outstanding speakers I have had the privilege of hearing - this is not praise given lightly. I have co-hosted Telecom’s last 3 sales conferences and Rob is the only speaker that I can recall receiving a standing ovation from our sales force. This is a real testament to Rob as we have also had some highly rated international speakers at our conferences.” Mohan Jesudason, Telecom New Zealand Limited

“Your easy listening and humorous style provided us with great insight into the planning, preparation and successful execution of a truly ambitious goal. There is always a close correlation between successfully competing in a top-level sport and managing a successful business. The focus and commitment you guys showed in making the journey across the Atlantic applies equally to any business. Rob, thanks for a most enjoyable and informative presentation. I don’t think you’re going to get any takers from our crew for the next race. We will just settle for another presentation when you’ve completed it.” Geoff Black – MD Lumley Life, Australia

“Rob, being a ‘closing speaker’ places special demands on a speaker, for theirs is the speech that cements the ‘feel good’ factor as everyone leaves for home. You did us proud! Your story was fascinating – a story of believing in yourself, of motivation and commitment, of thorough planning and preparation, the actual doing and finally of the accolades of success (unfortunately without the monetary rewards). Such a story speaks to us at different levels – astonishment that two individuals could achieve what you and Phil did and the courage to believe that if that is possible, so too, must be the goals we set ourselves in our businesses. You certainly ‘showed’ us along with the rest of the world that challenges bigger than we could believe in, are achievable”. “Querida Smith, PAA National President

"Good feedback from those attending - Rob gave a mix of informative and entertaining, exactly what was required for the night '. Joyce Tilbrook, CCNZ