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Adam Kreek

Speaker Featured

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Olympic Gold Medalist | Executive Coach & Advisor | Leadership & Peak Performance Expert

Adam Kreek is one of North America’s most sought-after leadership speakers and executive coaches. He advises Fortune 500 executives and entrepreneurs every day, equipping teams with practical, values-driven tools to build capacity, resilience, and results that last.

A bestselling author, Olympic Gold Medalist, and extreme sport adventurer, Adam blends world-class performance with two decades of executive coaching and business strategy. His rare mix of lived high-performance achievement and proven business expertise sets him apart from most speakers. His stories and strategies help organizations face disruption, accelerate execution, and achieve ambitious goals with clarity, alignment, and confidence.Executive Coach & Business Strategist (20 + years)

-Entrepreneur (Clean-energy venture)
-Olympic Gold Medalist & 3× Rowing World Champion
-Trained Engineer (Geotechnical & Geophysics)
-Author of The Responsibility Ethic (Forbes Top Pick)
-Strategic Planning Facilitator and Advisor to Fortune 500 firms across Energy, Engineering, Infrastructure, Financial, Sales, and Tech

Keynote Speeches

Virtual Keynotes & Webinars
Contact us for more information about this speaker & their virtual presentations. Click here for some of the most popular formats for virtual events.
Values-Driven Achievement™: The Foundation of Peak Performance

Lasting success isn’t built on motivation, strategy, or talent – it’s built on values.

After two decades powering peak performance inside Olympic teams, Fortune 500 companies, and front-line organizations, Adam Kreek knows this: the best leaders aren’t just driven – they’re aligned. They know what they stand for, and they act on it consistently.

This keynote strips the fluff out of “values work” and replaces it with straight talk and practical tools. Adam shows leaders how to align personal integrity with organizational mission, eliminate friction that drains energy, and build cultures of trust and accountability that endure.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Identify the values that drive peak performance – and translate them into daily action.
  • Align personal purpose with organizational mission.
  • Eliminate friction and burnout caused by misalignment.
  • Build cultures of trust, accountability, and resilience.

Key Message: Resilience starts with values. When leaders live their values, results last.

Built for Hard™: The World Is Hard. Let’s Build for It.

Leadership • Teamwork • Resilience • Change Management

In today’s disruptive economy, leaders don’t need hype. They need systems that hold up under real pressure.

Built for Hard™ reframes how teams approach challenge. Adam shows leaders how to stop resisting difficulty and start using it – transforming obstacles into clarity, resilience, and measurable results.

Audience Takeaways:

  • A healthier, more productive relationship with challenge.
  • Renewed trust, focus, and energy across teams.
  • Systems for clarity, execution, and sustainable performance.

Key Message: Resilience doesn’t come from avoiding difficulty – it comes from systems designed to thrive within it.

Sales Team Success: Proven Strategies to Align, Adapt and Achieve Results with Confidence

Sales is a mental game. The best reps aren’t just skilled – they’re resilient, adaptable, and relentless.

Adam, an Olympic Gold Medalist and business coach, equips sales teams with the mindset and strategies to crush quotas, overcome rejection, and stay motivated under pressure.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Build an unshakable mindset for high-pressure sales.
  • Strengthen resilience against rejection and market uncertainty.
  • Develop winning habits that fuel consistent top performance.

Key Message: Sales success is resilience + adaptability + the mindset to win.

Built for Health: The Foundation of Leadership and Performance

This keynote reframes health as a strategic infrastructure for leaders.

Adam goes beyond habits and hacks. He shows how to align values with daily choices, build sustainable health systems, and treat physical health as the foundation of focus, relationships, decision-making, and impact.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Identify drivers behind health behavior – and remove friction.
  • Build sustainable habits rooted in values, not guilt
  • Strengthen resilience and decision-making under pressure.
  • Treat health as the system that supports every goal.

Key Message: Your body is the house that holds your mission. Take care of it.

Teamwork for Engineers: Proven Strategies to Lead with Balance, Collaboration, and Influence

Technical skills open doors, but collaboration and leadership drive real success.

Adam equips engineers and technical professionals with tools to influence, communicate, and build high-performance teams without losing their technical edge.

Audience Takeaways:

  • Bridge the gap between technical expertise and leadership influence.
  • Improve communication for stronger problem-solving.
  • Build trust-based, high-performing teams.

Key Message: Great engineers don’t just solve problems – they lead teams that deliver.

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.
Values-Driven Achievement™: Motivation Fades. Alignment Doesn’t.
Motivation fades. Alignment doesn’t.

This hands-on workshop takes Adam’s keynote principles and turns them into actionable strategies your leaders can put to work the same day. It’s not theory - it’s a structured, interactive session where teams define, test, and apply their core values directly to business challenges.

Leaders leave not only inspired, but equipped with simple, repeatable tools that drive alignment, accountability, and lasting engagement. The result: energy that compounds, cultures that strengthen, and performance that sustains under pressure.

Audience Takeaways
● Define and operationalize core values that fuel decision-making and performance.
● Translate values into action by aligning personal purpose with organizational mission.
● Build systems of accountability that connect daily behavior to long-term results.
● Reduce burnout and disengagement by eliminating the friction caused by misalignment.
● Create a culture of trust and resilience where motivation compounds instead of fading.

Key Message
When leaders anchor work in what truly matters, motivation doesn’t fade - it multiplies into trust, resilience, and results that last.
Custom Workshops & Value-Add Programs
Adam offers many custom workshops and value-add programs including:

• Conference Fitness and Wellness Program
• Strategic Planning and Mapping
• Goal Setting
• Business and Executive Coaching
• Leadership Workshops and Executive Retreats

AND MORE!

Learn more about Adam Kreek's custom workshops & value-add programs here

Audience reviews:

  • LIFE-ALTERING 24-HOUR IMMERSIVE EDUCATION
    I hired Adam as a Keynote Speaker for a conference that I produced called 55North for business leaders across Canada. He was our highest-rated speaker, and the combination of his morning group workout with his talk was both informative and inspiring. I subsequently hired Adam to facilitate a 24-hour immersive experience for a group of 10 entrepreneurs on Vancouver Island that involved a combination of cryotherapy, amazing conversation, guided facilitation, and a 30km rowing expedition. It was life-altering. Honestly, I can’t recommend him enough. - Co-Founder, Foundry Events
  • WHAT SETS ADAM APART
    There is no shortage of speakers available for business coaching. What sets Adam apart is his genuine, down-to-earth interest in the success of not only corporate goals but personal ones as well. Adam has provided us with the tools to take large, multi-year goals and then work backwards to make the changes in our everyday lives in order to achieve them. I would not hesitate to recommend Adam to anyone or group who is looking at understanding what success looks like on their terms and what’s required to achieve it. - Financial Advisor, Nicola Wealth Management
  • WE WOULD HIRE HIM AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT
    I highly recommend Adam! He is high energy yet calming, an engaging storyteller who has lived his lessons, real, quick-witted, humble, succinct, perceptive and action-oriented. We would hire him again in a heartbeat. Our leaders raved about him. Shine on, Adam! - CEO, Tastefully Simple
  • ADAM WAS A HUGE SUCCESS
    Adam was a huge success at our event! His presentation was relevant to our overall conference theme and set the tone for the remainder of the day… I can truly say that he connected with all of our guests and made quite the impression. - Senior VP, Shell Canada Products
  • ABILITY TO IGNITE ENERGY
    Adam Kreek is bar none one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. His insights are profound and his innate ability to ignite new energy into a mission is baffling to me. I would highly recommend Adam and all of the wisdom that he has to share. - Founder, REAfe Real Estate
  • DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE WHO PRESENT AND THOSE WHO CONNECT
    Our leadership team invited Adam Kreek to present to our annual team retreat and it was a genuinely inspiring part of the day. There are thousands of ‘leadership’ presenters and I’m sure many of them are great. But the thing that makes the difference between those who ‘present’ and those who truly ‘connect’ is the effort the person puts in to understand and learn about the company before trying to teach. Adam did an incredible job on that front, which meant our team felt like they were in a conversation rather than just being talked at. - Chief Executive Officer, Northern Vision Development
  • Adam was amazing! He delivered a motivational message that really stuck with our associates. I appreciate NSB and him for being so wonderful, the whole experience was fantastic. - Learning and Development Specialist, The Coca-Cola Company
  • I have seen dozens of Olympians speak at off-sites in the last 19 years, and Adam was by far the best. He was relevant to our business, and had a fascinating story. He wasn’t spewing business dogma. He spoke to the people in the room, leaving a lasting and positive impact that traveled through our office. I have heard nothing but rave reviews from all our employees.

    - VP of Marketing, General Mills
  • I can’t say enough how great it was to work with Adam. His enthusiasm was captivating and his message was powerful. I have had so many positive comments from our attendees on Adam's presentation. The content he delivered was perfect for our group and was a highlight of our meeting. - Nutritionist, Trouw Nutrition Canada
  • Adam's presentation was definitely one the most successful keynote speaker session we've had for our All Staff meeting. Our main goal for these sessions is always the engagement aspect as we want our employees to connect and have good takeaways from the presentation content. Adam achieved that wonderfully as he understood our organizational culture, the gaps and tailored his presentation perfectly. The audience was fully engaged for the 1 hour and it was great to see the employees continue the discussion with Adam during the post-event reception.

    - Human Resources Generalist, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
  • Adam was masterful at integrating our core themes from the day into an energized, motivating, involving presentation.  Immediately after Adam’s presentation, hundreds of team members were committed to identifying and taking bold action towards their “gold medal moment”.  Adam was the highlight of our rally!

    - Manager, Marketing & Communications, Bell Media
  • Thank you Adam. You were wonderful! The entire team raved about your keynote. It had all the elements we were looking for – energy, entertainment and the messaging about teamwork, leadership was spot on.  The team loved hearing from you and I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews. I thank you for being the perfect “energizer” for our team. It was a great start to our conference.

    - Manager, Internal Communications, Direct Energy Services
  • By tailoring and customizing his presentation, Adam ensured our corporate messaging remained on target. Adam's charismatic personality shines through as someone who is warm with passion and excited by life. This translated into several staff members speaking about him for days following the event; true evidence of a gold medal performance!

    - President & CEO, Concentra Financial
  • The way you were able to weave other speaker comments into your presentation, complete with photos and quotes, really brought the audience along on the journey, and provided a great reinforcement of the theme and reason for taking the time to be in the room. I've never had another speaker do this so well--you blew me away with that!

    - Event Project Manager, Incite Marketing
  • Adam was amazing and received a standing ovation at the end of his speech. Everyone should hear Adam Kreek speak at least once in their life. He is a kind, caring, genuine person with great stories and inspiring messages to share. He does it in a very motivating, engaging and entertaining way. I could not recommend Adam enough. He would be a great fit for any group, event or conference.

    - Coordinator, Student Life Programs, University of Lethbridge
  • Adam did a really exceptional job at engaging the audience in his stories, and allowing them to really see “him” (his wittiness, humour and realism). He very nicely tied in the teamwork theme as well as directly relating his message to dietetics – a somewhat difficult task for those speakers who aren’t necessarily in the health care industry.

    - Dietitians of Canada Conference
  • Adam was great. Our crew loved the morning workout and he was a really good opener to set a positive and energetic vibe for the day ahead!

    - Program Manager, Communications, Canola Council of Canada
  • Everyone LOVED Adam. He had them working too in the session. They want to know if he will be back with the same presentation! Thank you. This made my day! - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Adam addressed a group of 100 soldiers preparing for deployments overseas, to develop their physical, mental and spiritual resilience. His commitment to readiness, resilience and growth had a tremendously positive impact on the soldiers! Adam brings energy, passion, creativity and skill to his craft. We will certainly have Adam again for future engagements! - Canadian Armed Forces
  • Adam was fantastic! I looked forward to working through his content each of the three days he facilitated our virtual event. Adam was very accommodating with his prompts. His delivery was seamless, and it really did feel like he was right there with us instead of virtual. I would love to have him back to provide everything again! My biggest takeaway was the importance of aligning my values with my actions – and it's essential to check in as life progresses. - McElhanney

Speaker Biography

Olympic Gold Medalist • Business Strategist • Executive Coach

Adam Kreek is a top North American leadership speaker and executive coach. He has trained and coached leaders at Amazon, Microsoft, Pfizer, Shell, GE, Mercedes-Benz, L’Oréal, YPO, EO, and dozens of Fortune 500 firms.

Event planners trust Adam because he doesn’t deliver hype or quick fixes. He inspires, yes – but more importantly, he equips. His Built for Hard™ framework blends unforgettable stories with practical, values-based tools leaders can apply immediately, ensuring stage energy translates into real business outcomes.

A two-time Olympian and Olympic Gold Medalist with more than 60 international medals, Adam has proven himself in the world’s most demanding environments. He also made history as a record-setting ocean rower, the subject of NBC’s Dateline documentary Capsized.

What makes Adam unique is his dual lens: lived high-performance experience and deep business expertise. Few speakers can say they’ve both delivered under extreme pressure and coached leaders in the trenches of Fortune 500 companies. Adam leads strategic planning sessions, executive coaching, and high-performance training for organizations navigating constant change.

Adam is the bestselling author of The Responsibility Ethic (recognized by Forbes as a “Top Business Book”). He earned a degree in Geotechnical Engineering from Stanford University and holds advanced executive coaching certifications. This rare combination of technical rigor, coaching mastery, and elite performance experience gives him a unique ability to connect with both analytical decision-makers and values-driven leaders.

When he’s not working with organizations, Adam can be found adventuring in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and three children.

 


 

Why Book Adam

When you book Adam Kreek, you’re not just hiring a keynote speaker – you’re partnering with one of the most credible, grounded, and unforgettable voices in leadership today.

Adam is a rare combination: Olympic Gold Medalist, engineer, executive coach, and trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies. He’s lived the extremes – and he understands the grind.

1. Extraordinary Feats + Everyday Relevance

Adam has done what few ever will: win Olympic gold, row unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean, and study the science of performance for more than 20 years. But what sets him apart isn’t just what he’s accomplished – it’s what he does every day.

He coaches dozens of CEOs each month, leads strategic planning for global organizations, and trains leaders to perform under the pressures of today’s volatile economy. Adam bridges peak performance with practical leadership – pairing the mindset that wins medals with the insights that drive corporate results.

2. Master of Normalizing Challenge

After hundreds of executive coaching sessions, Adam has learned that leadership isn’t about quick answers – it’s about listening, naming the real pressure points, and creating space for growth.

On stage, Adam does exactly that. He normalizes challenge, acknowledges the hard truths leaders face, and gives audiences permission to exhale. His honesty is disarming, his empathy is earned, and his insights land. He connects first, teaches second – a rare skill in professional speaking.

3. Proven Experience and Global Credibility

An engineer by training and strategist by trade, Adam has delivered keynotes and workshops for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global organizations.

He speaks the language of business, leadership, and human performance – because he’s lived all three. His work resonates across industries: energy, engineering, financial services, technology, insurance, and beyond. From the boardroom to the job site, his message moves people to action.

4. Reliable. Customized. Results-Focused.

Meeting planners describe Adam as professional, easy to work with, and always on point. His presentations are customized, actionable, and energizing – never canned, never fluff. He brings the discipline of an Olympian, the humility of a coach, and the precision of an engineer to every event.

The Result

A keynote that meets people where they are, normalizes the hard, and equips them to perform under real-world pressure.

That’s Adam Kreek – a rare leader who has walked the talk: Olympic triumph and ocean expeditions on one side, and two decades of business strategy, executive coaching, and corporate results on the other.

Book with Confidence: Reach out to us today to secure Adam Kreek for your next event and transform your leadership team with Built for Hard™!

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