Debra Searle MVO MBE - Motivational Speaker

Debra Searle MVO MBE is a professional adventurer and award-winning motivational speaker.

To book Debra to speak at your meeting, please visit https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/de...

Debra Searle MVO MBE has an incredible story!

She first hit the headlines when she set out to row across the Atlantic with her husband, a 6'5" oarsman. Unfortunately, he had to be rescued, so Debra, a novice rower, continued alone and rowed 3300 miles from Tenerife to Barbados.

It should have taken them six weeks, but to achieve her goal, Debra ended up spending 3 ½ months at sea alone and unsupported, encountering 30' waves, sharks, and force 8 squalls in her 23-foot plywood boat.

Since returning from this adventure, Debra has undertaken solo & team expeditions across the globe. She has also represented Great Britain at European and World Championship level in Dragon Boat Racing winning bronze, silver and gold medals.

Debra has spoken at over 1,100 events and was voted the world's number-one female motivational speaker by Global Gurus. She is more than your usual sports speaker.

Debra has founded 5 companies, including MIX Diversity, a D&I consultancy.
She has presented40 programmes for the BBC and had 3 books published.

Her spirit of adventure gained her an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen, and she spent 10 years on the board of a charity with two members of the Royal Family, so she has great board-level experience to share.

In 2023, a British newspaper listed Debra as one of the World’s Top 50 Inspirational Leaders.

The movie of Debra’s story of rowing solo across the Atlantic after her husband was rescued is currently in development in Hollywood.