Challenges are opportunities to take extreme ownership and giddy up.
At just 27 years old, Sean Bell broke the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of Australia on foot, running 13,383 kilometres in 158 days, 14 hours, and 52 minutes—shattering the previous record by 11 days. Averaging over 84 kilometres—two marathons—a day, Sean’s achievement was the culmination of a six-year journey marked by grit, purpose, and relentless dedication.
Sean’s story began in Vermont, Victoria, where Australian Rules Football taught him early lessons in resilience. But it was the devastating loss of a teammate at just 18 years old in 2016 that profoundly changed his perspective. Determined to live a life of purpose, Sean turned to running as an outlet for his grief and mental health. By 2017, he completed his first marathon and realised running could become more than a personal escape—it could be a platform to inspire and make a difference.
In 2018, Sean set a bold goal with his coach Jase: to run around Australia and raise funds for charity. The journey required years of meticulous preparation, balancing university studies, full-time work, and intensive training. Along the way, Sean faced further personal tragedies, including the unexpected passing of Jase in 2022 during his rehearsal run from Cairns to Melbourne. Despite this immense loss, Sean completed the 4,000-kilometre run raising $100,000 for Make-A-Wish Australia and proving his readiness for the ultimate challenge.
Finally in 2024, after six years of planning and perseverance, Sean achieved his dream, breaking the world record, while inspiring countless others with his story. He raised a further $177,000 for Make-A-Wish Australia, to help sick children achieve their dreams.
Sean’s journey is a powerful case study for the corporate world. Whether managing tight deadlines, navigating economic uncertainty, or driving ambitious KPIs, the principles that guided Sean—resilience, teamwork, and strategic planning—are the same qualities that drive success in business. His ability to adapt under pressure and maintain focus on long-term goals mirrors the challenges and opportunities teams face every day.
In his keynote presentations, Sean bridges the gap between extraordinary physical feats and workplace realities. He demonstrates how clear goals, preparation, and adaptability can inspire individuals and teams to achieve more than they ever thought possible. His six-year journey is proof that with the right mindset and strategies, even the most ambitious goals are within reach.
Talking Points
Goal Setting and Strategic Execution
Sean shares how he reverse-engineered his world record with a six-year roadmap, teaching teams how to align on clear goals and execute with focus and precision.
Goal Setting and Strategic Execution
Resilience as a Learnable Skill
Sean reveals how he stayed mentally and physically strong despite daily setbacks—offering tools to help your team navigate stress, adapt to change, and maintain peak performance.
Resilience as a Learnable Skill
Accountability and Ownership
By owning every aspect of his preparation and execution, Sean achieved what seemed impossible. He challenges teams to eliminate blame-shifting, embrace personal responsibility, and drive results.
Accountability and Ownership
Teamwork and Leadership
Behind Sean’s success was a high-functioning team. He breaks down the principles of trust, communication, and leadership that empower teams to deliver excellence.
Teamwork and Leadership
High-Performance Mindset and Purpose
Sean empowers teams to commit to excellence by aligning personal values with daily tasks and connecting them to larger goals. He emphasises that high performance is built on shared purpose, teamwork, and consistency rather than short bursts of intensity. Drawing from his experience during his run, where a shared sense of purpose made the journey both enjoyable and productive, Sean illustrates how teams that reconnect with their "why" can exceed expectations and find deeper fulfilment in their roles. He challenges individuals to shift their mindset from “I can’t” to “What if I can?” and introduces the concept of "WHY stacking"- building motivation and resilience by continuously connecting actions to a meaningful purpose.
High-Performance Mindset and Purpose
Video
Sean Bell | Saxton Speakers
Sean came and spoke to our group of Project Managers and Foreman. His ability to relate his 'Giddy Up To Level Up Your Life' message and story to our organisation was seamless. The biggest t ... keep reading Solid Foundation Concreting
Sean's talk has already started to change the mindset of our staff, and I know they will see the benefit in both their personal & professional careers.
The key takeaway for our organisation is time starts now. mean seriously, if you want to be the best you can be, start now.
Sean Bell spoke to our team and he did not miss a beat! Interactive, inspiring, relatable, honest and engaging is how I would describe his keynote.
Engaging, inspiring and told with humour, Sean delivered an incredible keynote to our Greater Dandenong community. Sean was able to tailor his talk to meet the needs of our audience, taking it back to basics and providing realistic advice for those just starting out on their journey to a more active lifestyle.
