Michael Crossland keynote speaker

Michael Crossland

  • Keynote Speaker
  • Motivation | Team building
  • Based in Australia
  • Showreel
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Few speakers arrive on stage with a story as viscerally real as Michael Crossland’s. Battling a rare, life-threatening form of cancer as a child, he emerged as the sole survivor of a brutal drug trial, a chapter of his life so demanding it consumed close to a quarter of his childhood spent in hospital rather than a classroom. Told repeatedly what he would never be able to do, Michael made it his mission to prove otherwise, and today he stands as living evidence of what’s possible when someone refuses to accept a limited, predetermined future.

Michael built his career as both a businessman and an elite-level sportsman, positioning him at the front of a new generation of speakers who lead with authenticity over polish. His first tell-all autobiography, released in 2016, became a number one bestseller across six different countries, and his story has since been featured on major television programs including Sunrise, Studio 10, The Daily Edition, Australian Stories, MTV and Fox Sports News. He has represented Australia as an elite sportsman and carried the Queen’s Baton for the Commonwealth Games, cementing a reputation that extends well beyond the professional speaking circuit into the wider public consciousness.

Audiences who hear Michael speak walk away with more than fleeting motivation; they leave with a genuinely renewed perspective on their own lives and a practical toolkit for pushing through adversity in both their personal and professional worlds. His commitment extends off stage too, through ongoing charity work that includes running an orphanage and school in Haiti. Michael has shared stages with figures as significant as Sir Richard Branson and the Dalai Lama, and one recent recording of him speaking in Los Angeles has been viewed by more than 87 million people worldwide, a testament to just how far his message travels once it leaves the room and reaches people well beyond the original audience.

Description

Michael Crossland’s story begins with a fight for survival. Diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening cancer as a child, he became the sole survivor of a harrowing clinical drug trial, spending close to half of his life in and out of hospital wards. Doctors offered little hope and told him what he would never be capable of doing. Rather than accept that verdict, Michael built an entirely different life: a successful businessman, an elite-level sportsman, and a number one bestselling author across six countries with his candid, tell-all autobiography.

On stage, Michael draws directly on that lived experience, turning devastating adversity into a framework audiences can actually use. His keynote sessions walk through the keys to success, the discipline of embracing change, and the mindset required to push through obstacles that once seemed insurmountable. His delivery is unfiltered and raw, capable of moving a room to tears in one moment and igniting them into action in the next, a combination that has made him one of the most sought-after voices on the corporate speaking circuit.

What sets Michael apart is his ability to translate an extraordinary personal survival story into lessons that land in a boardroom, a wellbeing summit, or a leadership offsite just as powerfully as they would in a hospital ward. He speaks to resilience, mental toughness and gratitude in ways that resonate whether the audience is a corporate team steering through organisational change or individuals working through their own personal setbacks. Attendees consistently describe the impact of his session as something that stays with them long after the event ends, reshaping how they approach both their work and their lives.

Organisations booking Michael Crossland can expect a genuinely unforgettable keynote built around resilience, mindset, and the will to live, delivered by someone who has tested those ideas against the highest possible stakes and come out the other side determined to help others do the same.

Keynotes

Power of Perspective (75min)

Michael will share his remarkably inspiring story of overcoming extreme adversity to achieve incredible outcomes in both his personal and professional life.

His story will undoubtedly bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your heart, but above all will teach you the importance of embracing change, how to master the gift of giving, the importance of perspective, resilience and courage, defining success and the mindset needed to achieve your dreams. A presentation not to be missed.

Team-work, Accountability and Mindfulness (90 min)

Michael will share many tools and techniques to silence the mind, take back control of our thoughts, set positive and structured daily routines, having the courage and resilience to back yourself, along with helping to delve deep into the way our body and brain connect with our language.

This session will also have a component of high energy, fun and laughter with team building activities that assist with embracing change, winning as a team, the importance of communication as well as accountability to implement learnings along with a short mindfulness reset session.

Testimonials

Michael is such an inspiration – his story captured us all and the response from all at the Conference has been amazing. The feedback from Michael’s session, from everyone at the Conference has been amazing – I have never had one speaker have such an impact at a Conference.
– First State Super

Michael has an amazing story with some very important messages for the audience. He presents extremely well and was the most popular presenter we had at the two day conference.
– NAB Wealth

Finished with a standing ovation. Truly one of the most inspiring and entertaining speakers I’ve seen.
– REIQ

Words escape me to truly express my thanks for the amazing journey you took us all on today as the keynote speaker at the HR Teams event in Sydney and the roller coast ride of emotions you evoked in us all.
– Amanda McKernan – Director International HR Director Forum CEO – Forum Group

Thank you for sharing your inspiring, yet very personal, story at our company Kick Start event earlier this year. From business to sport you reminded us that in life anything we set our mind to we can accomplish successfully. You are a true inspiration to us all.
– John McGrath – Chief Executive Officer – McGrath Estate Agents

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