Explorer, Innovator & Collaboration Catalyst
Mark Pollock: Biography at a Glance
- Unbroken by blindness in 1998, Mark Pollock went on to compete in ultra endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps including being the first blind person to race to the South Pole.
- In 2010 Mark was left paralyzed after falling from a second story window. He is now exploring the intersection where humans and technology collide and catalyzing collaborations that have never been done before.
- Through the Mark Pollock Trust he is unlocking $1 billion to cure paralysis in our lifetime.
- Selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and appointed to the Global Futures Council on Human Enhancement.
- He is the subject of the acclaimed documentary called Unbreakable, is a TED, Davos, Wired and EG speaker and is co-founder of the global running series called Run in the Dark.
Videos
Biography
Mark has used his hard-earned expertise to help people in over 1,000 organizations worldwide including at Davos, the Web Summit, the World Economic Forum, EG, Wired and TEDx Hollywood.
Unbroken by blindness in 1998, Mark Pollock went on to compete in ultra endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps including being the first blind person to race to the South Pole. He also won silver and bronze medals for rowing at the Commonwealth Games and set up a motivational speaking business.
In 2010 Mark was left paralyzed after falling from a second story window. He is now exploring the intersection where humans and technology collide and catalyzing collaborations that have never been done before. Through the Mark Pollock Trust he is unlocking $1 billion to cure paralysis in our lifetime.
Selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and appointed to the Global Futures Council on Human Enhancement, Mark is a UBS Global Visionary, is on the Board of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (USA) and is a Wings for Life Ambassador (Europe). He is the subject of the acclaimed documentary called Unbreakable, is a TED, Davos, Wired and EG speaker and is co-founder of the global running series called Run in the Dark.
He has been awarded honorary doctorates by The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and also from Queens University Belfast. And, he holds a diploma in Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century from Harvard University, degrees from Trinity College Dublin and The Smurfit Business School.
Topics
Adversity & Challenges — Maintaining A Resilient Mindset Under Pressure
Sometimes we choose our challenges, sometimes our challenges choose us. What we decide to do about them is what counts. Deciding to be a competitor, a realist and a collaborator offers your people a chance of maintaining a resilient mindset under pressure. Mark Pollock’s keynote on adversity and challenges uses the power of active decision making to deal with challenges, regardless of where they come from, to help your people become more resilient.
Leadership & Motivation — Leading Through A Crisis And Developing Intrinsic Motivation To Move Forward
Uncertainty and change typify a crisis and it’s difficult to lead in such circumstances. By providing your people with insights into the resilience, attitude and decisions of others facing extreme circumstances you will help them to develop the intrinsic motivation to move forward, Mark Pollock’s keynote on leadership and motivation delivers deep insights for leaders to navigate through the crucible moments they face and lead others to achieve more.
Collaboration & Teamwork — Creating And Motivating Dispersed Teams Across Disciplines And Geographies
Galvanising a disparate group of people around a common goal is not easy. Yet when it happens, when we collaborate, that is when major breakthroughs happen. Mark Pollock’s keynote on collaboration and teamwork provides your people with insight into how high-performance teams get things done when others can’t.
Mindset & Performance – Challenging Expectations To Perform At A Higher Level
It is tough to deliver world class performance. Your people won’t do it by chance. With a high-impact catalyst you can help them act with the courage to make it happen. Mark Pollock’s keynote on mindset and performance is that catalyst – it challenges your people to examine expectations of themselves and others to perform at a higher level.
