Yossi Ghinsberg Speaker Biography
Adventurer, Amazon Survivor, Eco-Entrepreneur and Inspiration for Major Motion Picture, Jungle, Starring Daniel Radcliffe
Yossi Ghinsberg is recognized worldwide as a top motivational survival speaker for leadership events. An adventurer, philosopher, and serial entrepreneur, he rose to global prominence after surviving alone in the Amazon jungle for three harrowing weeks. His story, told in the bestselling memoir Jungle, has inspired millions across continents. Moreover, his survival saga became a major motion picture starring Daniel Radcliffe, introducing his extraordinary resilience to an even broader audience. Drawing from this life-altering ordeal, Yossi Ghinsberg speaks not only of physical endurance, but of psychological transformation. As a graduate of philosophy and business administration from Tel Aviv University, he blends academic insight with raw, real-world experience. Additionally, he brings lessons in adaptability, innovation, and mental clarity to corporate stages worldwide. His unique perspective helps organizations navigate complexity and build emotional stamina—essential traits for today’s leaders.
Jungle
Yossi Ghinsberg’s memoir, Jungle, is far more than a survival story—it is a parable of transformation. Translated into multiple languages, it has sold millions of copies globally. The story was adapted into a Discovery Channel docudrama and later became the feature film Jungle, starring Daniel Radcliffe. While many survival tales focus on brute strength, Ghinsberg’s is about surrendering to uncertainty and trusting intuition. This approach resonates deeply with corporate audiences navigating risk, volatility, and change. As a top motivational survival speaker for leadership events, Yossi Ghinsberg reveals that true resilience emerges not from domination, but from cooperation with forces beyond control. His gripping narrative delivers much more than inspiration—it offers a framework for adaptive leadership. For organizations seeking purpose-driven growth, his message is both relevant and unforgettable. Time and again, Ghinsberg transforms auditoriums into arenas of emotional engagement and strategic insight.
Survival Skills
Yossi Ghinsberg has shared his jungle-forged wisdom with heads of state, global corporations, and leading universities. Importantly, he bridges ancient survival instincts with modern business realities. His philosophy is clear: the principles that save lives in the wild can also guide organizations through chaos. Rather than emphasizing domination, Ghinsberg encourages trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. He helps audiences access their long-forgotten “Day to Day Hero”—the intuitive leader within. In fact, many of his insights challenge conventional thinking. Instead of reinforcing Darwinian competition, he promotes an ecosystem-based approach to leadership and teamwork. Audiences leave his talks with actionable insights and a renewed sense of possibility. As a top motivational survival speaker for leadership events, Yossi Ghinsberg empowers organizations to reframe adversity as opportunity. His transformational message continues to ripple through boardrooms, conferences, and executive retreats around the world.
Inspirational
Yossi Ghinsberg is not only a storyteller—he is a catalyst for change. His voice carries the urgency of lived experience and the authority of intellectual rigor. Over the years, he has shared stages with global icons such as Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson, and Wayne Dyer. Yet, his own message stands out: survival isn’t about being the strongest—it’s about being the most adaptable. Yossi argues persuasively that our old leadership models, rooted in scarcity and competition, are obsolete. In their place, he offers a new paradigm—one shaped by cooperation, intuition, and resilience. Drawing on emerging science and timeless truths, he redefines what it means to lead. As a tech entrepreneur, former medical company executive, and founder of the Chalalán eco-resort in Bolivia, he brings a multifaceted perspective to every event. Whether speaking to executives or entrepreneurs, Yossi Ghinsberg delivers a masterclass in human potential and collective evolution.
Yossi Ghinsberg Speaking Topics
Real Survival vs Imaginary Survival
Never has humanity been exposed to so much information. Generations today are privy to wars and crises raging both near and far. As a result, humanity as a whole may be suffering from chronic sympathetic stimuli, states Yossi. Having learned about real survival during his time conducting research in the Amazon jungle, Yossi warns that imaginary survival is far more dangerous than real survival. Why? Because imaginary survival triggers a physical response that converts life-saving hormones into life-threatening poison. Allowing our restless minds to go into ‘survival mode’ unnecessarily causes chronic stress that brings disease and disintegration. Yossi can teach audiences how to be discerning, in real-time, and how to switch off survival mode to more efficiently deal with life’s challenges. Audiences will learn how to discern between real, palpable danger and imaginary survival so you can fix this ‘bug in our system’ long before it causes disease or distress.
Jungle Survival Skills for Business: The Power To Survive
After a tragic separation from his friends, one man is lost alone for weeks in the heart of the Amazon with no food or weapons, in the midst of the worst rainy season in decades. Through this inspiring experience Yossi Ghinsberg takes his audiences on an emotional experience of inner strength and self-discovery. This keynote presentation is based on Yossi’s international bestseller ‘Jungle’, now also aired as a docu-drama mentary produced by the Discovery Channel and now soon ready for release as a major motion picture to be feature film directed by Greg McLean and starring Daniel Radcliffe — ‘Harry Potter!’ You can hear a pin-drop in the room when Yossi takes the stage. But there is much more than sheer entrancement in his storytelling. Yossi translates his own lessons of survival into principal and effective strategies for business excellence.
Jungle Survival Skills for Change: Innovation: In Flux, In Flow
In many industries, the rapid rate of change employees are facing can leave people feeling as though they are lost in the wilderness. Something Yossi Ghinsberg has experienced first hand. After a tragic separation from his friends, Yossi was lost alone for weeks in the heart of the Amazon with no food or defenses, in the midst of one of the worst rainy season for decades. Yossi translates his own lessons of survival – where every single moment left him at the mercy of the jungle, and his ability to adapt fast to the changing circumstances literally meant the difference between life and death – into effective strategies for those experiencing change in the work environment. This keynote presentation is based on the international bestseller ‘Jungle’, now also a documentary produced by the Discovery Channel and soon to be feature film directed by Greg McLean and starring Daniel Radcliffe — ‘Harry Potter!’
Jungle Survival Skills for Teams: Collaboration, Innovation, Survival
After a tragic separation from his friends, one man is lost alone for weeks in the heart of the Amazon with no food or supplies, in the midst of the worst rainy season in decades. This inspiring keynote experience is based on Yossi’s international bestseller ‘Jungle’, now also a documentary produced by the Discovery Channel and soon to be feature film directed by Greg McLean and starring Daniel Radcliffe — ‘Harry Potter!’ A key insight from Yossi’s harrowing story is that the law of the Jungle itself relies on collaboration. Working intelligently with his changing conditions, Yossi was able to perceive innovative ideas vital to his survival. Yossi challenges organisations to think about how they can apply collaborative thinking; expanding out from the limiting mindset of pure competition, designing environments where teamwork can thrive, skills are utilized and ideas are shared.
Yossi Ghinsberg Books
Lost in the Jungle: A Harrowing True Story of Survival
Purchase Book
Jungle: A Harrowing True Story of Survival
Purchase BookYossi Ghinsberg Videos
Yossi Ghinsberg Articles
Yossi Ghinsberg Speaker Testimonials
You gave everything and more than I could have hoped for in your speech, your demeanor and in graciousness. Many people have commented to me how moved they were by your amazing story, by your honesty, humility and the courage you showed us by sharing the impact your journey had on you as a human being. I am honored to have met you and to have had the privilege of creating, through you, a profound experience for the audience. I am also glad that you felt welcomed by Steve, me and the entire group. Thank you for being so generous with your time and joining us for the evening events. That made the whole experience even more wonderful for us.
- Anne Manson, VP, Strategic Business Development | CI Investments
Yossi Ghinsberg spoke at the Leadership Conference of the Aditya Birla Group on 11th December 2010. Narrating his experiences of fighting nature’s wrath all by himself while lost in the depths of the Amazon left each one of us awestruck. Strength, a positive bent of mind and the hunger to survive is what Yossi exudes, all equally important qualities for survival in the Corporate world. His simplicity in recounting his Amazon tales sans a fraction of fear, speaking straight from his heart left everyone humbled for this great gift bestowed on us called ‘life’. The Aditya Birla Group is grateful to Yossi Ghinsberg for having eloquently shared his survival experiences from the Amazon and thereby making a positive difference to each individual present that day, in encouraging them to treasure their special life. He was truly moving and yet inspirational.
- Dr. Santrupt B Misra, CEO | Carbon Black Business
We had the great privilege of engaging Yossi Ginsberg as the keynote speaker for a week-long strategic off-site meeting with the entire leadership team. The meeting represented a critical milestone for the company and we needed to find the right person to inspire our attendees. We probably evaluated about 400 speakers before settling on Yossi. From the moment we made contact, we were impressed by his energy, creativity, and commitment to our objectives. He worked closely with the team developing the content for the meeting and tailored his message to fit perfectly with our corporate objectives. He is a phenomenal storyteller. His experience and his ability to enthrall an audience is unparalleled. During his talk, you could hear a pin drop – the audience was hanging on his every word. He talks from the heart and does not present a pre-packaged or canned message. He told his own story, but included so many life and professional lessons that our team was talking about the speech for days during and after the event. His preparation ensured that the speech not only enraptured the audience but hit many of the major themes of our strategic off-site. If you are looking for someone who can help you move your organization to a new perspective, I could not recommend him more highly.
- Scott Lochridge, Founding Partner | Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Spectacular, inspiring, emotional, breathtaking... all of these superlatives and more have been used by delegates who were privileged to hear you. You have touched many hearts with your wonderful story and people who have now read your book following the conference keep talking about ‘this inspiring man called Yossi Ghinsberg.
- | Travelscene American Express
