Motivational Speaker:  Eric Larsen

Modern-day explorer, Eric Larsen’s life epitomizes adventure.  A polar explorer, dog musher, adventure racer and educator, he has spent the past 12 years of his life adventuring in some of the most remote and wild places left on earth. Totaled, Eric has traveled enough wilderness miles to circle the globe over two times. On January 3rd 2009, Eric successfully led an international team to the South Pole - covering nearly 600 miles in 41 days. Eric is now one of only a few Americans in to have skied to both the North and South Poles.

In 2006, Eric and Lonnie Dupre completed the first ever summer expedition to the North Pole. During this journey, the duo pulled and paddled specially modified canoes over 600 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean. Eric's other expeditions include a 700-mile dog sled journey through northern Ontario, a six week dog sled journey in the barren lands of the Canadian Arctic, several training trips to Hudson Bay and countless dog sled races. He has also summited Mt. McKinley, ridden his bike across the United States, been a back country ranger in Alaska, a white water canoe guide in Colorado and wilderness trip leader in Hawaii.

In 2008, Eric was elected as one of Outside Magazine's Eco All Stars. He was also inducted as a member of the prestigious Explorer's Club based in New York City. A gifted communicator, Eric travels extensively giving motivational and educational lectures to schools, universities, non profit organizations and corporate groups.

Eric recently returned from a second expedition to the South Pole and a successful completion of the first leg of the Save the Poles expedition. In this world record expedition, Eric and his team members will travel to the North Pole, South Pole and the summit of Everest all in one year. The 'Save the Poles' expedition will journey to these last frozen places in attempt to tell their amazing story while promoting clean energy solutions to the problem of Climate Change.

Eric lives in Grand Marais, Minnesota where he is busy training and planning.

Presentation Title:  INTO THE HEART OF COLD.

Description: Adventure to the ends of the Earth with modern day explorer Eric Larsen! Experience 15 years of extreme expeditions. In 2006, Larsen made history by completing the first ever summer expedition to the North Pole. During this journey, the team pulled and paddled specially modified canoes over 600 miles of shifting sea ice and open leads of the Arctic Ocean. In 2009, he completed a 41-day expedition to the South Pole becoming only the third American in history to ski to both 'Poles'. In 2010, Eric completed a longer South Pole expedition and the first leg of his record breaking Save the Poles expedition - South Pole, North Pole, and Mt. Everest in one year.

This presentation spans Eric's entire career from his early dog sledding journeys to his recent South Pole expedition to the current Save the Poles expedition. Gain unique insights into teamwork, problem solving, perseverance, goal setting and keeping motivated even when faced with life threatening situations. Hear the dramatic story of months on the Arctic Ocean, 50 degree below zero wind-chills, encounters with Polar Bears and much more. Eric draws from these experiences to make real world analogies. This program is approximately one hour long and features stunning images and video from the polar regions.

Themes:  Depends on the group. Basically I use two sub titles for my presentations – 1. Begin with One Step – While we may not all be climbing a mountain or skiing to one of the poles, this presentation helps audiences understand that we all face really big problems in life. Just like an expedition, there are basic skills that are easy to learn and implement that can help break up that big problem into small manageable pieces. 2. No One Of Us Is As Strong As All Of Us – When we work together as a group, we can achieve more than as an individual, yet working with others can often be a difficult process. Using effective strategies for communication, cooperation and problem solving can create a dynamic and effective solutions. 3. Climate Change – Bearing witness to climate change and offering real world solutions.

Here are a few link to more 'expedition related' videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4izUHu_AG8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP1G9a8Jsnk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TmWyE9OwGQ

My expeditions have received over 100 million media impressions. The South Pole leg of my Save the Poles expedition was featured daily on CNN and MSNBC. In the past my world-wide media coverage included two appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, interviews on National Public Radio and articles in magazines and newspapers ranging from Outside to the Chicago Tribune.  As an aside, Outside Magazine recognized my work in fighting Global Warming and has elected me as a 'green all star' in 2008. To see a sample of my present and past press, please click on any of the following links.

MKE Magazine "Arctic voyager becoming new ice sage"
http://www.mkeonline.com/story.asp?id=1391645

Rock and Ice "save the poles" joins with Aron ralston for Everest leg
http://www.rockandice.com/inthemag.php?id=102&type=onlinenews

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Explorers reach North Pole"
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=

Other presentations

One World Expedition - Experience the life of a modern day explorer as Eric Larsen retells the One World Expedition. On July 1, 2006 Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen made history by becoming the first ever expedition to reach the North Pole in summer. During this journey, the team pulled and paddled specially modified canoes over 600 miles of shifting sea ice and open leads of the Arctic Ocean. This presentation spans the entire journey; from the expedition's first training trips to their 2005 attempt in Russia to the successful 2006 journey. Gain unique insights into teamwork, problem solving and goal setting as well as keeping motivated even when faced with life threatening situations.

Hear, first hand, this dramatic story of 62 days on the Arctic Ocean, encounters with polar bears and much more. A special emphasis is placed on the expedition's efforts to bring attention to Global Warming and the plight of the polar bear. This program is approximately one hour long and features stunning images and video from the Arctic Ocean.

Wilderness - From the red wood forests of California to the swamps of Georgia, Arches to Yosemite, wilderness is as much a part of our country's landscape as our identity.

America's wilderness is home to a diversity of plant and animal species as well. So fundamental are these areas to our quality of life that an act of congress specially protects them. But what is wilderness and why it is so important to us?

Discover the road least traveled as you journey to the most remote corners of our country. Learn the history of wilderness in America and how it has changed over time. Dramatic images provide a springboard to discuss larger issues such as wilderness in our society, its management and its future.

Dog Sledding - Get ready to mush a team of huskies across the frozen north as you travel the trails of winter by dog team.

Discover the thrill of dog sledding with vivid images, demonstrations and equipment.  Learn first hand what it takes to be a lead dog, how a dog team is formed and how to work with each dog's strengths and quirks.

Eric draws from 11 years of dog mushing experience to cover topics like training, racing, dog care, feeding and much more. The program uses dogs and dog sledding to make analogies to larger issues like teamwork and setting goals. (This presentation is a great primer or follow up for school groups who follow the Iditarod.)

To achieve the summit of your next business conference, club meeting, training seminar or social function, contact us

Testimonials

“Eric not only inspires me to follow my dreams, but motivates me to do something bigger than myself to better this world. He is a wonderful speaker and delivers so many remarkable messages that people from all walks of life can learn from.”

-Jen Hoogasian, Uline Event Planner & Corporate Recruiter

"Eric Larsen brought our public interest environmental law conference a fresh and powerful perspective on global warming.  He presented footage of the rapidly melting arctic ecosystem and a lighthearted and inspiring story. Eric has inspired us all to summon that strength and instinct as we work to find solutions to the global challenges of our time."

-Becky Kammerling, University of Oregon

"Eric's enthusiastic and gripping presentation of their journey to the North Pole and documenting the consequences of global warming was an eye-opener for our group.  And because many in our organization are involved in highway transportation and electric utilities, contributors to global warming, it is very important to hear this message and pursue changes in our industries to effect a positive change in our natural environment."

-Craig Poorker  International Right of Way Association

“Prior to the program I was not fully aware of the scope of the program that he would be offering – but now I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone. The content of the program is unique in its capacity to draw in the audience due to the unique nature of the expedition and the alien landscape it covered. On top of that, Eric’s delivery was phenomenal. He delivered a polished presentation that was educational, inspiring, humorous and contained a strong dose of the courage and conviction that addressing climate change will require.”

-Chris Skoglund, University of New Hampshire

Great audio visual, extremely engaging, and information very interesting. This was a remarkable presentation.”

–Peter Johnson, Nokomis Heights

“(Eric Larsen) He was the BEST speaker I have seen to date at Uline.  Well done!  Very motivating! Captured my heart he is so passionate about what he does, it was awesome!”

- Jenny Lockridge, Uline Marketing Associate

"Very engaging, good use of time, great awareness of audience, clear sense of organization, not to mention some of the best use of powerpoint I’ve ever seen. Eric is one of the most dynamic speakers we’ve had"

- Dr. Meg Albrinck Lakeland College

EverestSpeakersBureau.com

Marketing and Management Company