Top Motivational Adventure Speaker

Hire the inspirational guest Speaker Michael Wigge - 2024/2025

Motivational adventure Speaker Michael Wigge traveled the world for free and traded an apple for a house in Hawaii!

Michael’s adventure challenges make him one of the top inspirational travel speakers in the US and Germany. His adventure challenges:

1. How to Travel the World for Free (PBS)
2. Trade Up around the World (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
3. USA Extreme – 50 States, 50 Days, 50 Challenges (Skyhorse Publishing)

In his unbelievable attempt to travel the world for free, the motivational seminar trainer, and soft skills coach traveled 25,000 miles from Europe to Antarctica -without any money. Throughout his journey, the public speaker immerses himself in fascinating subcultures, sleeps on the street with homeless people, and nourishes himself with flowers.

Michael’s sites for keynote speaking, corporate training and his offers in German:

The Adventure Speaker's Background and Offers

Invitation on The Tonight Show and The Today Show with ‘How to Travel the World for Free
PBS show nationwide of ‘How to Travel the World for Free.’
Corporate travel speaker with over 300 delivered keynotes in the US, Canada, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Adventure stories with humor and fun
Interactive motivational keynotes
Free signed books of How to Travel the World for Free
You may combine training on soft skills with a keynote booking
Virtual and on-site booking
Messages on self-motivation, embracing change, resilience, leadership skills, and leaving one’s comfort zone

Motivational Adventure Speaker with 'How to Travel the World for Free'

This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humorous situations and insightful interviews about people’s relationships with money.

A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!

EXTREME BACKPACKING!

Read more about the crazy things Wigge did to obtain free food and accommodation

The Trip

Michael left Berlin and traveled for 150 days through 11 countries, arriving in Antarctica in November 2010. More than 100 people helped, providing transportation, food, and accommodation. He planned the journey for a year before starting, collecting contact information for those who might provide accommodations or odd jobs, but he also relied on the kindness of strangers.

Food

At first, Michael scrounged for food from garbage bins behind supermarkets, but he soon realized that dumpster diving wasn’t necessary. Instead, he discovered he could barter for what he needed. He offered to clean the floor, wipe the counters, or wash the dishes in a restaurant in exchange for an old sandwich. And most people he approached in shops, supermarkets, and restaurants were willing to give something.

Work

At first, the public speaker scrounged for food from garbage bins behind supermarkets, but he soon realized that dumpster diving wasn’t necessary. Instead, he discovered he could barter for what he needed. He offered to clean the floor, wipe the counters, or wash the dishes in a restaurant in exchange for an old sandwich. And most people he approached in shops, supermarkets, and restaurants were willing to give something.

Accommodations & Attitudes

In Latin America, he found that “people were accommodating if I went to their door and said, ‘I have no idea where I will sleep tonight, can I sleep here?’ There was this helpfulness, this hospitality, because many people there are poor and they know how it feels. They didn’t care about my story. But in the U.S., it was more about the story. They would say, ‘This is cool; we want to help you reach your goal.’ Americans really go for this.”

Worst Job

Motivational adventure speaker Wigge’s stint as a porter carrying tourists’ luggage in exchange for a trip to Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city in the Peruvian Andes, ended “in a bit of a mess”. “It was the worst porter the Andes had ever seen,” he said. The other workers were accustomed to handling tents and meals for tourists along the 50-mile, five-day route, then running ahead carrying 60 pounds of luggage on their backs in time to set up the next campsite before the tourists arrived, all at 14,000-foot elevations.

But Michael needed more stamina to keep up. “They said, ‘This is not funny; you cannot do this; we do not want to lose our clients,'” he recalled. “I apologized.” After two days, they put his luggage on horses and allowed him to walk regularly rather than staying behind and running ahead to help with campsites.

Tracking

Motivational adventure speaker Wigge kept a “video diary” to produce a TV series eventually. Wigge carried a Canon HDV 1080i camera with an excellent wide-angle lens and microphone to film himself and collect footage that was high-enough quality for TV. He ended up with dozens of tapes, edited to five 30-minute segments. Unfortunately, he nearly lost the precious videos while staying with a German ex-pat in Cuzco, Peru. “The whole apartment burned down before we went to sleep,” Wigge said. But he got his travel bag — including the videos and camera — out and philosophically looked back on the incident: “We are still alive.”

Home

Once he’d achieved his goal of starting with no money and completing a one-way trip to Antarctica, he had no qualms about accessing a bank account for a return fare to Germany.

7 Arguments to Book a Motivational Adventure Speaker

Introduction

Booking a motivational adventure speaker for a corporate conference can bring a host of benefits to your organization. A top speaker brings excitement and adventure to the corporate environment, delivering highly inspiring messages that encourage individuals to leave their comfort zones, think outside the box, and step onto the unbeaten path. Here are some reasons why booking an inspiring speaker for your next corporate conference can be beneficial:

Inspirational and Motivational Messages

Top speakers are known for delivering messages that inspire and motivate individuals to be their best selves. They share stories of their personal struggles and challenges and how they overcame them to achieve their goals. By hearing these stories, employees can be inspired to push themselves to achieve their own goals and strive for success.

Encouraging to Stepping out of Comfort Zones

Motivational adventure speakers are often individuals who have accomplished great things by stepping out of their comfort zones. They encourage individuals to do the same, to take risks and pursue their dreams. By hearing these messages, employees may be encouraged to take on new challenges, both personally and professionally.

An Adventure Speaker Provides a Fresh Perspective

Hearing from someone outside of the industry can provide a fresh perspective on common problems or issues that your organization may face. A motivational adventure speaker may have a unique perspective on problem-solving or a new approach to team building that your employees may not have considered before.

Role Models for Long-Term Motivation

Keynote speakers are often seen as role models by their audiences. By sharing their personal journeys, they can inspire individuals to emulate their success. By having a motivational adventure speaker at your conference, employees can look up to them as a source of long-term motivation.

A Keynote Speaker Offers Entertainment

Motivational adventure speakers can provide entertainment value to your conference. Their stories are often engaging and exciting, keeping the audience captivated throughout their presentation. This can be a refreshing break from the typical conference agenda, making the event more memorable and enjoyable for attendees.

Local Media Attention

Booking a top inspirational keynote speaker can also attract local media attention to your conference. Local newspapers, TV stations, and online media outlets may be interested in covering the event, providing additional exposure for your organization.

If you are considering booking a public speaker for your corporate conference, here is a checklist of things to consider:

Check List

Determine your budget: Motivational adventure speakers can vary in price, so it is important to determine your budget before beginning your search.
Consider the theme of your conference: When selecting a motivational adventure speaker, consider the theme of your conference and look for someone whose message aligns with your goals.
Research potential speakers: Look for speakers who have experience delivering messages that align with your goals. Research their background and reviews from previous speaking engagements.
Consider logistics: Determine the logistics of the event, including the venue, audiovisual needs, and any other equipment that may be necessary.
Plan for promotion: Promote the event to your employees and potential attendees. Consider leveraging social media, email marketing, and other promotional tactics to increase attendance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hiring a motivational adventure speaker for your corporate conference can be highly beneficial. Their messages of leaving comfort zones, thinking outside the box, and stepping onto the unbeaten path can inspire and motivate your employees to achieve their goals and strive for success.

Additionally, they can provide a fresh perspective on common problems, serve as role models for long-term motivation, and provide entertainment value to your conference. By considering the checklist provided, you can ensure a successful event that will leave a lasting impression on your attendees.

TEDx Talk

TED Talk

Michael and Katy Perry

Business Keynote Speaker on The Tonight Show

Katy Perry

Full Keynote

Keynote

3 Facts to Know about Motivational Adventure Speakers

How Much Would a Keynote Speaker Charge?

Keynote speakers charges range widely between $500 and $20,000. Please reach out to Michael to get the best offer possible. More details on his speaker advice page

Motivational Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker Motivation in German

Who Is Considered to Be a Top Speaker?

Many know inspirational speakers and other speakers like Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy, but there are more reasonably priced speakers with an inspiring adventure background. Michael belongs to the top circle in the genre. Check out his speaking background on

Business motivational speaker
Motivationsredner (German)

How Do I Become a Motivational Speaker Myself?

Michael has published lengthy articles on how to become a professional adventure speaker. Please check out his motivational keynote speaker site!

How to Travel the World for Free as Aired on PBS

Part 1 “Everything is Different”

Michael sets off from Germany without any money. His travel companions along the way are socialists, freegans, and the eccentric millionaire Harold. Working on a container ship, he crosses the Atlantic Ocean free of charge. Will he make it to the New World without money?

Part 2 “Burger, Bikes & Boors”

Motivational adventure Speaker around the world

The motivational adventure speaker sleeps in Montreal free of charge as a couch surfer. After walking through Ohio, he reaches the tiny village of Berlin, where Amish farmers take him in and let him sleep in their barn. After a grueling tour by bike and bus, Wigge spends several days with homeless man Joseph. Will Wigge manage to get further West?

Part 3 “Adventure Speaker, Go West!”

Via Route 66, the traveler hitchhikes to the Grand Canyon and to Las Vegas, where he tries different approaches to earn food and transport. He meets millionaires, gamblers, and tourists. After Los Angeles and San Francisco, Wigge lives in Hawaii with alternative life styler’s – all without money, of course.

Part 4 “No Dinero – ‘Mucho Problemo'”

Traveling without money takes the adventurer through Costa Rica, Panama, and Columbia, where living and traveling without money is particularly difficult. In Peru, he visits the Inca town of Machu Picchu free of charge as a load carrier. Now he suffers from a streak of bad luck. Will he have to cancel his journey?

Part 5 of the Project: “Totally Exhausted”

After difficult times in Bolivia, Wigge travels to Chile without any money. From there, he hitchhikes to Buenos Aires in Argentina. But rather than dancing the Tango, he has to find food and a means to travel on. After an arduous journey through Tierra del Fuego, Wigge accepts the long-desired position on a ship to Antarctica. Will he finally reach Antarctica without any money?

Michael’s Speaking Schedule 2025

Mai 2025: Boston, USA

Juli 2025: Leipzig, Germany

August 2025: Dresden, Germany

November 2025: Denver, USA; Phoenix USA

Download the Free Poster of the Adventure Challenge: