Matt Formston - Hire Keynote and Guest Speaker

Matt Formston Book as a speaker/entertainer for your next event

Key Points for Matt Formston

Matt Formston is a force of nature—an internationally acclaimed speaker, para-sports icon, and corporate leader who turns resilience into an art form and leaves audiences feeling invincible.
His extraordinary journey takes center stage in the award-winning documentary The Blind Sea, a Netflix sensation and one of Australia’s most celebrated films of 2024.
In 2025, Matt’s story hit new heights: surfing the monstrous waves of Nazaré, smashing a Guinness World Record, and being awarded the Order of Australia Medal for rewriting the narrative on disability and human potential.
Beyond the spotlight, Matt shapes change—Chair of Disability at Optus, board member, and co-author of Surfing in the Dark, a braille-integrated children's book now making history in classrooms nationwide.

Topics for Matt Formston

Inspirational
Matt has spent his life being told that, because he’s blind, he “can’t”. Rather than accepting these limitations, he chose to trust in his own strength and create his own path. Discover how to break through barriers, defy expectations and empower yourself and your team to achieve the impossible.
Diversity, inclusion and accessibility
Matt believes that no one should be hired because of their gender, disability or any other diversity label. Instead, they should be valued for the unique contributions their diversity brings. As a blind individual, Matt has turned his perceived limitation into a strength, becoming a world-class problem solver and exceptional communicator. Learn how embracing true inclusion unleashes untapped potential and drives extraordinary results.
Goal setting
Becoming a world champion in both cycling and surfing, setting world records in each sport, all while managing a successful corporate career, is only possible with a clear vision, a dedicated team and an immense amount of hard work.
Overcoming adversity and change management
Change is an inevitable part of life and in today’s fast paced work environments, it’s constant. Growing up blind and rising to become one of Australia’s most versatile and successful athletes has not only built Matt’s resilience but has made him an expert in managing change and thriving in it. How will you inspire your team to embrace change and achieve extraordinary outcomes?
Leadership
With experience leading large corporate teams, chairing executive boards, guiding big wave teams into the most challenging environments on Earth and navigating the role of a father, Matt has gained a 360- degree perspective on leadership. Through this journey, he has discovered that trust is the cornerstone of high performance. Without trust, the impossible cannot become possible.
Accessibility Technology
With over 20 years of experience in the ICT industry as a blind person, Matt has become a thought leader in accessibility technology. Drawing from his lived experience as a customer, employee and leader, Matt will inspire your team to set the standard for accessibility and innovation.

Testimonials for Matt Formston

Matt is one of those extraordinary people who has so much to teach all of us in how we might best live our lives. His courage, curiosity and determination to never be defined by what others think is possible have allowed him to achieve the unimaginable. But it is his values of kindness and care for others; his joy for life and great sense of humour that make him a very person to know and collaborate with.
Chief Executive Officer
Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce

Matt inspired our team and clients with his story of setting audacious goals and how he achieves them. He is vulnerable in the way he shares stories around the diversity he has faced in life, and left us with real take aways and processes we could all use in our business and personal lives.
EVP and GM EMEA
Kaseya

Matt inspired our employees with his incredible storytelling and lessons about leadership, perseverance, and resilience. His lessons around inclusion, diversity, and the power of building strong teams resonated with everyone. He is personable, funny and was very captivating on stage!
Content Producer, Tradeshows and Events
Adobe

Matt takes you on a literal ride where you can feel the highs and lows, and shares how he has been able to take himself to the next level repeatedly, inspiring audiences that nothing is beyond reach if you believe.
General Manager
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles