Warren MacDonald

Warren MacDonald is a professional keynote speaker, adventurer, and double above-knee amputee who has achieved extraordinary feats of mountaineering that most able-bodied climbers never attempt. After losing both legs in a devastating rock fall on a remote Australian island, he rebuilt his life and redefined what is possible through sheer determination, courage, and a refusal to accept limitations.

The Accident and Recovery
While climbing on Hinchinbrook Island in Australia, Warren became trapped beneath a one-ton boulder in a freak rock fall. His only companion raced down the mountain for help, and Warren endured two harrowing days before being rescued by helicopter. Just ten months after losing both legs, he climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants.

Redefining Possible
In an epic 28-day journey through some of Australia’s most inhospitable terrain, Warren climbed Federation Peak. He then became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,222 feet. He also completed an ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite requiring more than 2,800 pull-ups over four days, and is the only known above-knee amputee to climb Canada’s 600-foot frozen Weeping Wall waterfall.

Keynote Topics
Warren speaks on resilience, change management, redefining limitations, teamwork, and transforming the way you see the world to change your world.

A Test of Will: Finding Opportunity in Change

One Step Beyond: Setting and Reaching Impossible Goals