Motivational touching the void

HJ talks to motivational speakers from outside the industry. Author and climber Joe Simpson's presentation, Touching the Void, is based on his experiences in the Andes which have inspired a book and film of the same name. His presentation is one of the most popular on the seminar and conference circuit. It tells the story of an ill-fated attempt by Joe and friend Simon Yates to climb the previously unconquered west face of the Siula Grande in Peru in 1985."On the third day, having survived a snowstorm and some risky climbing the pair reached the top of a 21,000ft peak, but disaster struck as they made their way down. Early in the descent, Joe plunged from the vertical face of an ice ledge, shattering his leg. From then on he had to be lowered down the mountain, one 300ft section of rope at a time. Another snowstorm brought further disaster. With the views obscured, Simon inadvertently lowered Joe over the edge of a cliff and because of the noise of the storm the two men were unable to hear each other. Simon found himself sliding down the rope and in a desperate measure cut the rope connecting him to Joe, sending his friend plummeting hundreds of feet. The next few days proved terrible for both men. Simon returned to camp, racked with guilt for abandoning his friend, whom he assumed was dead, while Joe, miraculously, was alive, but crippled, starving and severely frost-bitten. Calling on deep reserves of physical strength and determination, Joe crawled over the cliffs and canyons of the Andes, reaching camp just hours before Simon was planning to leave. He then had to endure a long journey by donkey and an agonising trip in the back of a pick-up truck to reach the nearest hospital. Almost as incredible as Joe's experiences on the Alps is his recovery. Several major operations and two years of physiotherapy later and he was able to prove the doctors wrong - he began climbing again! Today his Touching the Void presentation contains elements any businessperson can learn from - planning, strategy, teamwork, goal-setting, decision making and, most definitely, the ability to reach beyond what was thought possible. For further information about Joe Simpson call his office on 01202 242429 or visit www.NoOrdinaryJoe.co.uk