Hein Wagner

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SPEAKER DETAILS

Guest Speaker Hein Wagner has been blind since birth, yet despite this, he has many accomplishments to his name. He has completed the Absa Cape Epic, ran the Antarctica Marathon, the Two Oceans and New York Marathons, completed full Ironman, completed the Cape to Rio Yacht Race, holds the World Blind Land Speed Record at 322.52 km/h, and recently received a golden key from the university of Stellenbosch for his ongoing efforts towards social upliftment.

Hein is living proof that despite the challenges that come our way, anything is possible. He does not allow his blindness to stand in the way of his dreams and people often refer to him as the blind man with exceptional vision.

Wagner matriculated at the Pioneer School for learners with visual barriers in Worcester, South Africa. His parents made the difficult decision of sending their blind five-year-old son to boarding school a hundred kilometres away from their home in Durbanville. This was a decision the terrified youngster could not understand at the time, yet today he recognises this decision as the best one they could have made in their quest to prepare their son for the real world.

Hein’s first school report is testimony to his adaptive nature and early sense of adventure stating that he ‘is on a constant journey of discovery’. His teenage years proved to be more challenging as he dealt with the normal pressures of growing up and also struggled with the question of why he had to be born blind. Not finding the answers he desperately needed made him rebellious and he subsequently made life difficult for those around him. It took a couple of extreme adventures to make Hein see the light. Today he sees his blindness as the biggest gift he could ever hope for.

Hein started his career as a switchboard operator, but the rapidly growing technology sector soon inspired him to enter the IT industry. He worked for companies such as MWeb and Thawte Consulting, where he quickly worked his way up to international sales manager, managing a team of sighted individuals.

Hein’s unique experiences and out-look on life afforded him numerous invitations to share his story and in 2004 he decided to take up motivational speaking as a full-time career. His humorous approach to everything in life has illuminated the lighter side of living in darkness and resonates with audiences around the world. Whether he has his audience rolling with laughter or doing introspection, he aims to leave them with the realisation that they have the capacity to achieve anything they set their minds too.

As a keynote motivational speaker, he holds audiences’ attention. His motto: “Anything you believe is not possible, is actually possible; you just have to change the way you look at things. If you do that, the things you look at will change.” With so many accomplishments under his belt, he always states: “My excuse is that I’m blind, what’s yours? By opening my mind to turn the unachievable into the achievable, I moved myself from being filled with pain to being filled with joy, from negative to positive; from unhappy to happy, from uninspired to inspired, a taker to a giver, a loser to a winner, from unsuccessful to successful, from ungrateful to grateful and from just being blind to being blinded with possibilities.”

Hein is well-known both locally and abroad and has received extensive media coverage.

He is married to Monica and they have a little daughter called India. The family divide their time between Sweden and South Africa.

“I’m blind, blinded with possibilities.” – Hein Wagner

Presentations by Hein Wagner

Hein’s captivating and humorous motivational talks are available in English and Afrikaans. He can tailor each presentation to suit your conference or meeting objectives and outcomes.

Blind Man with Vision™

This presentation is designed to challenge perceptions and inspire audiences to rethink their limitations. It leaves attendees with the powerful question: “I am blind… what is your excuse?”

This keynote will:

Inspire and motivate audiences to achieve what they perceive as impossible
Create a deeper sense of appreciation
Cement the value of trust in relationships
Highlight the importance of giving
Demonstrate how to turn obstacles into opportunities
Remove the concept of giving up
Show the power of using all five senses
Emphasise the difference between vision and sight

Recommended for corporate dinners, award ceremonies, gala events, product launches, and more. A version is also available for schools and universities.

Against All Odds™

This keynote takes audiences on a journey through Hein’s life, sharing challenges, triumphs, and his personal formula for achieving extraordinary results.

Ideal for conferences, seminars, leadership sessions, team building, and staff motivation.

Dinner in the Dark

What

A three-course meal served in total darkness.

How

Hein facilitates the experience in a fully blacked-out venue. Guests are guided by trained blind waiters and rely on their remaining senses throughout the evening.

Why

This experience reinforces trust, communication, leadership, and respect. It can be tailored to align with organisational values and objectives.

Quick Facts

Suitable for 20 to 130 guests
No light-generating devices allowed
Guests seated table by table
Dietary requirements must be provided in advance

Shining a Light on the Subject

As the event concludes, guests gradually return to light and reflect on the experience. Hein facilitates a discussion to unpack insights and encourage dialogue.

Listen, Think & Grow™

Motivation and Team Building Session

This session includes a powerful motivational talk followed by interactive exercises that build trust, understanding, and connection within teams.

Participants engage deeply, improving communication and learning how to work effectively together under pressure.

This emotional and impactful session leaves teams feeling connected, valued, and aligned. Content can be customised to suit organisational goals.

TESTIMONIALS

HAYLEY GETHING

Having dealt with Guest Speaker on a few occasions, your service is professional and outstanding. Your staff are friendly and very efficient. I would highly recommend Guest Speaker to anyone in need of this service. Regards.

Hayley Gething - Yokohama Southern Africa

LAWRENCE REITER

Guest Speaker - your service, advise, professional and friendly manner together with the exceptional presentations are superb. We will continue to always use and recommend you for speakers. Thanks so much!

Lawrence Reiter – SACRA

info@guestspeaker.co.za 067 843 2362