Update: Scott lives in the Bay Area, California, but he is also available anywhere in the world upon request, either in real life or a virtual visit. In addition to his popular slideshow, Scott can lead:
- The Dream Workshop (kids and/or adults)
- The Make-A-Book project (elementary schools).
Contact us so we can help you prepare the perfect event.
My goal is to spark the spirit of adventure in the audience so that everyone feels as if they have taken the first step on their next adventure before they even leave the room. ~
Scott is the recipient of the Spirit of Adventure Award for outstanding enthusiasm and curiosity while traveling. Presented by the Los Angeles Council of Hostelling International.
Scott Stoll spent 4 years cycling around the world on a quest for happiness and the meaning of life. He has shared his inspiring story of self-discovery with tens of thousands of students and professionals around the globe. He enjoys teaching people how to dream big. As he likes to ask, “If you could do anything, what would you do?”
His show features an entertaining and inspirational slideshow about his quest, including many examples of the trials and the triumphs of “falling uphill.” It is a unique educational experience, which is also a metaphor for everyone’s journey towards fulfilling their own dream, whether that be an adventurer, artist, scientist, business person or cupcake baker. His presentation is jam-packed with entertaining adventures and explores inspirational and enlightening themes like:
- If you could do anything, what would you do?
- How to create dreams and turn them into reality.
- Embracing your fears and turning adversity into an ally (falling uphill)
- Cultural awareness and discovering what it means to be human
- Using your emotional fuel to turn dreams into reality
- Affirming that we are all heroes in the adventure of life
- Rediscovering the “secret” to happiness and the meaning of life
- Enjoying both the journey and the destination
- And, don’t forget, it is full of adventure, like: swimming across a river full of crocodiles, cycling to Mt. Everest Base Camp, almost dying of dehydration, and much more…
Scott doesn’t teach a magic formula to live your life, but demonstrates, by example, how living life — including doubt, fear and mistakes — is the magic. By the end of his presentation, participants will not only dreamed a dream but taken an actual step on their own journey.
Acclaim
One-thousand percent great!
Springer School student
You’ve made a really big splash in Argentina. Thank you for all your work with the children. ~
The world needs people like Mr. Stoll to show us what is possible if you try. ~
I’m proud to have a constituent who dedicated 4 years of his life to cycling the world. You have a wonderful story to share with the world. And I am pleased that you continue to advocate on behalf of an issue you care deeply about. ~ Congressman Sensenbrenner
For one brief hour, through Scott’s slides and stories, our students traveled the world and recognized their dreams can come true. Perhaps someday our school will host another traveler sharing his or her tales. But maybe this traveler will be a former student inspired by hearing Scott speak. ~ (Read the whole letter of commendation.)
Thank you for your inspiring keynote last evening at our annual recognition dinner for our 2013 Eagle Scouts and Silver Beaver recipients. Your keynote was very well balanced with your own incredible story of discovery and of inspiration and motivation to all in attendance on not just finding happiness, but also in discovering the massive amount of potential each of us holds to make a positive difference in our community and world. Keep pedaling! ~
The success of Scott’s presentation is simply the opportunity for people to connect with a real person with a true story of hope and inspiration. ~
Thank you for coming to speak at our Annual Meeting. Your story sparked so much interest that we had to turn away at least forty people! Those that did see your presentation were very moved, and several commented that they wished you had more time with us. Congratulations on completing an amazing journey, and for inspiring others to realize their dreams. ~
Even more
Testimonials and full letters of commendation.
Format
Scott Stoll is available for lectures and slideshows across the globe to schools, businesses and organizations. Talks range from 30–90 minutes with up to 120 slides (Scott has over 6000 photos to choose from), including a question and answer period and book signing, and potential workshops or classroom visits.
- For students: Scott’s show is titled “If you could do anything, what would you do?” which focuses on creating dreams and turning them into reality. The presentation is similar to the one for general audiences, but it is customized for different age groups, and students are encouraged to take the first step of their journey with classroom activities or a “homeplay” assignment, like illustrating their dream or creating a bucket list.
- For professional audiences who are already on the path towards their dream, Scott has a show titled “Life is Like Riding a Bicycle,” which focuses on owning your dream, overcoming adversity and enjoying the journey. This show deemphasizes the trip in favor of showcasing the top lessons learned while cycling around the world, with examples and guides on how to overcome adversity, actualize your dream and create a sense of fulfillment.
- Customized presentations: Since each organization has unique goals, please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can create the ideal presentation for your group. If you are a community leader or event organizer and interested in championing this show, a great place to start is to download the Promotional Flyer (PDF) and distribute this to your group members.
- Virtual visits: Scott is also available to meet with your audience virtually. He can do a slide show, frequently asked questions, and help organize a follow-up activity. More info about virtual visits here.
Let’s talk
Every event is a little bit different. Please contact me to discuss how to make my talk a perfect fit.
A video of how Scott likes to begin a talk at elementary schools
Speaking package
After doing hundreds of talks, Scott has learned how to help the organizers prepare for a great event.
- Books: Scott has five books so people can re-imagine the journey, and help students of all ages actualize some of the life lessons. (Books and bookmarks can also be part of a raffle prize, trivia contest or swag bag.)
- Bike and props: Scott can also bring the bicycle that went around the world or even the tent as well as the map display.
- Promotional Package. Along with my speaking, you get my media kit and dedication to marketing the event. For example, one bookstore earned $2500 from one book signing by promoting the event in the local media. Scott’s story has been featured in hundreds of places, like the New York Times. See Scott’s media appearances. This creates an opportunity to piggyback your organization’s values with a media-friendly story. And Scott’s video about cycling around the world is a great way to warm up your audience.
- Handouts. To answer the most common questions, Scott has created multiple resources to maximize your audience’s experience, including handouts with an introduction to the show, biography, infographics, and random facts sheet (how many flat tires did you get).
- Classroom resources. These classroom resources help prep kids before Scott’s talk and to answer some of the most common questions. And, it has a lot of follow-up exercises designed to motivate kids to begin living their own amazing life, like a travel planner and the Dream Workshop.
- Follow-up: Scott is available to answer questions after the show or via email or Skype. And, schools may wish to follow Scott’s adventures abroad.
Handout examples
Here are some examples of handouts for both adults and kids. I have a lot more we can choose from. In fact, I have a whole workbook that teaches people how to dream and a lot more worksheets here.
Let’s talk
Every event is a little bit different. Please contact me to discuss how to make my talk a perfect fit.
Speaking Venues
A small but representative list of several hundred engagements in a dozen countries.
Keynote Speaker
- Cincinnati TEDx live auditions.
- Keynote speech to the Eagle Scout graduates. Boy Scouts of America. San Jose, CA.
- NorCal Peace Corps Association annual meeting.
- Central Indiana Bicycling Association and the friends of the library.
- The San Diego Council of Hostelling International Annual Members Meeting, as well as the San Francisco and Los Angeles annual meetings.
- And other annual corporate events, such as the Portable Sanitation Association International.
- Cultural Ambassador to Argentina with the US Department of State, including dozens of venues.
Non-Profit Organizations
- Growing Power International Urban Farm Conference. “Sustainable Living: As seen by the man who bicycled the world.” More info.
- The Healthy Living Expo.
- Guest author/speaker at the SE Wisconsin Book Festival and the Fox City Book Festival.
- The Rotary Club.
- People To People.
- The Cub Scouts of America.
- The Elk’s Lodge.
Dear Scout,
I love your terp a rand the word.
~ Elisia, Kindergartener.
Universities to Elementary Schools to Day Care
- Waukesha County Technical College. Spring Spotlight Professional Development.
- Carroll University. Bike Week.
- The University of California, Santa Barbara. “Break out of your cultural box — Travel the world!” Download the PDF flyer for this event.
- The STEM Academy, Butler Middle School, Whitnall Middle School, Whitefish Bay Middle School, Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School, Woodside Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and dozens more.
- The Goddard School, Early Childhood Preschool
- A handful of schools and other small venues around the world, including Africa, where there was no actual school building.
Miscellaneous
- Last October, I had the great opportunity to share my story with the inmates at Fox Lake Correctional Facilities. Read the story.
- Retirement and Elderly Care Communities.
- Guest speaker at The Lonely Planet book launch for “By the seat of my pants”. (I have a co-starring role in one story.)
- Misc. events such as a judge for the Literary Council of Greater Waukesha 19th Annual Spelling Bee, and lead bicycle escort for Hank Aaron State Trail 5k Run/Walk and the Vibha 5K Run/Walk.
- A generous amount of mini-talks, book signings and book clubs.
- And experience as a lifetime student/teacher of self-improvement, such as: teaching chess to elementary students, coaching leadership programs, continuing education, etc.
Broadcast interviews
- Wisconsin Public Radio.
- Around the World Radio correspondent.
- Sierra Club Radio, Sirius Radio, The Fitness Guru, Sustainable Futures, and television shows such as The Morning Blend, Showcase Minnesota and WGN Chicago.
- And many more. See media favorites to view the actual broadcasts.
Let’s talk
Every event is a little bit different. Please contact me to discuss how to make my talk a perfect fit.