Keynote speeches and conversations for real people.
Warm, grounded and practical. People leave with a language they can use straight away and a felt cue to help them remember it.
A short story (so you can feel the work)
From 2020 to 2021, I served as a moderator and wellbeing coach for the European Social Economy Summit, an EU Commission conference that was produced in a professional studio and streamed to over 5,000 participants. My task was simple yet profound: to maintain authenticity in a setting that spanned a continent. Between keynotes and panels, we did brief resets: softening the jaw, widening the base and letting the exhale be a little longer than the inhale. The aim was to notice the shift not as a performance, but as an orientation.
At one point, I looked at the monitor. The next guest, an older gentleman waiting to go live, was copying every movement — rolling his shoulders, breathing and smiling with us. I later learned that he was an EU Commissioner who had adopted these practices throughout the day.
That moment stays with me. It proved again that simple, embodied cues transcend hierarchy and screen. More importantly, when clear ideas from philosophy and the sciences are paired with something the body can feel, attention is re-organised. Defensiveness loosens. Curiosity returns. People begin to experiment with new patterns, not because they have been told to, but because the experience makes sense to them. That's why my talks combine philosophical and scientific framing with non-contact micro-practice: to enable a room of strangers to share one grounded sensation, think more freely and leave with different questions and better choices.
Example for Talks
Mindfulness in Motion: Attention You Can Feel
Presence Under Pressure: Zanshin & Fudōshin for Modern Teams When stakes rise, most people tighten. Martial arts teaches another response: awareness without tension (zanshin) and equanimity under stress (fudōshin). In this keynote we translate centuries-old practice into today’s meeting rooms, classrooms, and labs—how to hold your center, read the room, and respond without reactivity. Expect simple embodied drills you can do at your desk, a clearer language for pressure, and micro-rituals that make presence a team habit. Calm isn’t passive here—it’s decisive, relational, and deeply human.
- A 3-breath reset for transitions (under 30 seconds)
- Notice without judgment: posture, breath, gaze cues that stick
- Design a tiny daily ritual that survives busy days
Presence Under Pressure: Zanshin & Fudōshin for Modern Teams
When the stakes are high, most people become tense. Martial arts offer an alternative response: zanshin, or awareness without tension, and fudōshin, or equanimity under stress. In this keynote, we translate these centuries-old practices for use in today's meeting rooms, classrooms and laboratories. We explore how to maintain your centre, read the room and respond without reacting impulsively. Expect simple, practical exercises you can perform at your desk, a clearer vocabulary for describing pressure, and micro-rituals that encourage a sense of presence among your team. Here, calm isn’t passive — it’s decisive, relational, and deeply human.
- 3 cues to stay aware without tightening up
- A team ritual for de-escalation in 90 seconds
- How to recover posture & breath after setbacks
Learning That Sticks: Shu–Ha–Ri as a Culture of Growth
Most training programmes lose their effectiveness because we rush to embrace novelty. Shu-Ha-Ri — follow, adapt, transcend — offers a humane approach to developing enduring skills. We apply this learning journey to organisations and schools by designing clear frameworks (Shu), allowing for thoughtful variation (Ha) and inviting ownership (Ri). You will see how rituals, feedback and embodiment transform know-how into a way of being. The result isn't perfection; it's a living culture where practice builds on itself and people develop together.
- A simple Shu–Ha–Ri canvas for any program
- Designing rituals that survive turnover
- From compliance to mastery: what to change (and keep)
From Discipline to Wisdom: Martial Arts as a Way of Living
Modern martial arts often celebrate performance. This talk returns to the root of the matter: practising as a path to presence. We explore how the principles of balance without rigidity, strength without aggression and focus without tension can be applied to everyday life. Participants will leave with a sense of clarity and simple practices to help them maintain their momentum. There is no jargon or spectacle, just a grounded invitation to embody what we already know.
- Why embodiment beats information for real change
- 3 micro-practices for presence, courage and calm
- How to build rituals that actually last
Embodied Calm: Mushin, Focus & the Nervous System
'Empty mind' (mushin) does not mean a blank mind; it means an uncluttered mind. In this session, we explore how posture, breath and gaze can shift the nervous system from hypervigilance to responsive clarity. Drawing on research and practical experience, this session translates broad concepts into simple protocols for resetting after conflict, refocusing between tasks and managing pressure without losing warmth. Attendees will leave with tools that are evidence-based and short enough to fit into a normal day, yet powerful enough to make a difference.
- Three 60-second resets for busy days
- Posture & breath patterns that steady attention
- How to build a personal “calm kit” that sticks
From Competition to Community: Re-Humanizing Performance
Many cultures prioritise winning to such an extent that burnout inevitably follows. Classical martial arts, however, point to a different approach: dignity, discipline and shared practice. This talk demonstrates how to replace posturing with presence, toxic intensity with clean intensity, and isolation with community. We demonstrate how to create circles, language and rituals that make psychological safety tangible without being vague or sentimental. Being strong and kind is not contradictory; it's the goal.
- Five phrases that change the tone of a room
- How to run “warm but rigorous” sessions
- Community metrics that actually predict resilience
Formats
| Format | Duration | Delivery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keynote / Talk | 20–60 min (+Q&A) | On-site / Online | Conferences, all-hands, openings |
| Conversational keynote | 30–60 min | On-site / Online | Culture & leadership events |
| Fireside Conversation | 30–50 min | On-site / Online | Education, communities |
| Moderation | 30–60+ min | On-site | All kind of events |
Tailored to your context. Nothing off the shelf. We co-design each talk with you — goals, tone, story emphasis, level of interaction, duration, and language pace. We also adapt the micro-practice for accessibility and room setup.
How we work
Tailored, not templated. We co-design every talk with you. Here's how it works:
- Discovery (20–30 min)
- Purpose and outcomes: What should change for your audience?
- Audience and tone: roles, language, pace and sensitivities.
- Context and constraints: time, hybrid/online format, room layout and audio-visual equipment.
- Success check: how will we know it worked?
- Deliverable: A short recap email with the proposed angle and next steps.
- Co-design (outline & practice)
- We will shape a talk outline (story arc and one or two examples) and choose one micro-practice that people can safely try in their seats without contact.
- We adapt the wording, pace and accessibility (e.g. no standing; shoulder-friendly variants).
- We confirm the A/V and stage flow. The slides are minimal and optional.
- Deliverables: one-page outline, up to two tweak options and a simple speaker rider.
- Delivery (on site or online)
- Arrival and check-in: sound, lighting, slides (if applicable) and room setup.
- Room warm-up: a 60–90 second attention reset (invitation-based and non-contact).
- Talk: warm, grounded and practical, with one key takeaway.
- Q&A or conversation: plain language, time-honoured.
- The deliverable is a talk that lands — story + practice + takeaway.
- Integration (optional, recommended)
- Within 48 hours, provide a one-page document with key cues and one micro-ritual.
- A short online Q&A session for your team (20–30 minutes).
- Follow-up options include a workshop, office hours or a coaching session.
- Deliverables: PDF handout, link list and next-step suggestion.
Accessibility: All practice is non-contact and invitation-based. We offer seated and no-standing variants and can adapt to your room.
Our approach
Clear frames provide the freedom to learn.
We hold talks with the same humane standards that guide our retreats.
- Equal dignity: there is no one above or below; we relate at eye level.
- Confidentiality: stories are handled carefully; we share our own stories, not others'.
- Non-contact, invitation-based practice: you can opt out at any time without providing an explanation.
- Inclusion and access: we adapt language, pace and posture.
- Sober sessions: clarity and safety first.
- Photo/devices: no recordings; photos only with explicit permission.
- If harm occurs, we pause, acknowledge it and restore safety.
AV & stage preferences
- Mic ready (headset/lavalier preferred) · fresh batteries
- Stage free of obstacles · water on stage
- Screen/HDMI or USB-C checked · slides (if any) loaded
- Lighting even & warm · no heavy backlight
- Seating: theater/cabaret; center aisle if possible
- Tech check scheduled (10–15 min)
- Recording/photo policy aligned
Tech contact (on the day):
Name · Mobile · A/V booth location
Bring balance and presence to your event.
