Amanda Lindhout

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• 460 Days in Somalia: How an Extraordinary Mindset Can Get Us Through the Unthinkable

  For 460 days, Amanda Lindhout was held hostage in the heart of Somalia. Nothing she had learned in her past would prepare her for the next year and half, and only the extraordinary mindset she developed would get her through this ordeal and back home. Today, Lindhout has decoded that mindset and shares the steps we can take to better navigate change, uncertainty, and the unexpected in every aspect of business and our personal lives.

  In this actionable, inspiring, and unforgettable keynote, Lindhout pairs her staggering, lived experience with years of deep research with top experts to outline her framework to build an extraordinary mindset that can help us get to where we want to go, and beyond.

  Audiences may enter Lindhout’s sessions unsure, worried, and anxious about the future and challenges that lie ahead, but they’ll leave equipped with a set of tools to help them overcome adversity with a level of hope and optimism they never thought possible.

  Audiences will learn:

  • Three key questions to ask when separating what we can control from the things we can’t.
  • Pitfalls to avoid when overcome with uncertainty and change.
  • Foundational steps to take when looking to build confidence in ourselves and those around us.
  • The four steps in the Extraordinary Mindset Framework.
  • Why optimism and hope aren’t enough to get us to “next”, and what to do instead.

• The Adversity Unlock: Reframing Challenges as Assets to Cut Through Change and Lead with Optimism

  The best leaders and organizations understand that adversity is a powerful force to refine character, wisdom is not automatically gained from challenge, and individuals that can identify, articulate, and apply lessons learned to real-world scenarios gain the leading edge. In this session, Amanda Lindhout shares exactly how to cultivate a resilient mindset to effectively see challenges as assets and uncertainty as opportunity.

  In “The Adversity Unlock”, Lindhout reflects on the 460 days she spent as a hostage, enduring unimaginable hardships and being kept in the dark, to overcoming the challenges of a PTSD diagnosis. Through these experiences, she has trained herself to look for inherent growth opportunities despite unimaginable struggle and has built the framework we can all apply to help us better navigate change, adversity, and uncertainty.

  By embracing the lessons of “The Adversity Unlock”, leaders can better create a culture of resilience that not only benefits their personal development but also strengthens their teams and organizations.

• Beyond Survival: Healing, Growth, and the Power of the Human Spirit

  Kidnapped and held hostage for 460 days in Somalia, Amanda Lindhout endured unimaginable suffering before finally regaining her freedom. What would have broken most people beyond recovery has become her foundation for the person she is today. In this session, Lindhout presents a masterclass in healing and resilience that can help all of us navigate challenges we never expected.

  Upon her return to North America, a diagnosis of complex PTSD reshaped Lindhout’s world. Triggers were everywhere, and her symptoms so severe that she often couldn’t leave her home. For years, trauma continued to hold her captive. At her lowest point, a simple set of words sparked a dramatic shift, offering her a way out of the darkness. Step by step, she embarked on an extraordinary journey to untangle the PTSD that had controlled her life.

  Through deep study, therapy, and personal exploration, Lindhout discovered transformative healing beyond conventional care — diving into nervous system regulation, stress hormone balancing, and somatic trauma recovery, ultimately putting her PTSD into remission.

  Today, Lindhout is recognized as an expert in trauma recovery and healing. A New York Times bestselling author and sought-after speaker, she shares powerful insights that bridge science, lived experience, alternative therapies, and practical healing strategies. Her story is not just about surviving trauma — it’s about understanding it, moving beyond it, and finding the tools to truly thrive.

  What makes Lindhout’s story so incredible isn’t just her ability to inspire and educate an audience but to artfully deliver her story in a way that others can repeat her actions to overcome their unique challenges and struggles. From healthcare professionals and mental health organizations to Fortune 500 companies and non-profits, Lindhout’s message has transformed audiences in nearly 30 countries around the world.

• Resilience Redefined: How to Unlock Your Inner Strength to Perform Sustainably at Your Best

  The world is changing faster than ever before, demanding us to develop a level of resilience that enables us to do more with less time, multitask while still performing at our best, and learn new skills by using technology that didn’t exist a year ago. Until now, we’ve lacked the toolkit to navigate life’s toughest challenges with clear actions that transform adversity into true resilience.

  This keynote offers a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from someone whose firsthand experiences have made her a true expert on the topic. Having endured 460 days as a hostage in one of the world’s most dangerous countries and living with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder for nearly a decade, Amanda Lindhout is one of the world’s leading voices on resilience. She has built a process that we can all embody to navigate the world around us, and not only be at our best but stay there.

  By providing strategies for developing a resilient mindset, Lindhout teaches specific mindfulness practices, emotional regulation techniques, and the importance of community support. She offers insights that are accessible to anyone looking to strengthen their resilience, regardless of their individual challenges.