NSB Logo Amanda Lindhout Amanda Lindhout

Amanda Lindhout

Speaker Featured

Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

Hostage survivor - Expert on Resilience, an Extraordinary Mindset and NYTimes bestselling author

Amanda Lindhout is a sought-after inspirational speaker, trusted by big brands to deliver a life-changing, transformational keynote experience. She has been recognized as a New York Times bestselling author for her memoir, A House in the Sky.

Keynote Speeches

Virtual Keynotes & Webinars
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Beyond Survival: Healing, Growth, and the Power of the Human Spirit

A diagnosis of complex PTSD reshaped Amanda’s world. Triggers were everywhere, and her symptoms so severe that she often couldn’t leave her home. For years, trauma continued to hold her captive. At her lowest point, a simple set of words sparked a dramatic shift, offering her a way out of the darkness. Step by step, she embarked on an extraordinary journey to untangle the PTSD that had controlled her life. Through deep study, therapy, and personal exploration, she discovered transformative healing beyond conventional care—diving into nervous system regulation, stress hormone balancing, and somatic trauma recovery, ultimately putting her PTSD into remission.

Today, Amanda is recognized as an expert in trauma recovery and healing. A New York Times bestselling author and sought-after speaker, she shares powerful insights that bridge science, lived experience, alternative therapies, and practical healing strategies. Her story is not just about surviving trauma—it’s about understanding it, moving beyond it, and finding the tools to truly thrive.

Amanda has delivered inspirational keynotes in 28 countries. Healthcare professionals, workplace health and safety services, and mental health organizations seek her unique perspective to better support their clients. Individuals navigating health challenges connect deeply with Amanda’s firsthand experiences and gain profound insights into healing.

An Extraordinary Mindset

This keynote is based on Amanda Lindhout’s personal story of resilience as a young journalist held hostage in Somalia for 460 days. It is a dramatic, emotional, and ultimately uplifting narrative that inspires audiences to understand that developing an extraordinary mindset is crucial for overcoming obstacles.

Amanda goes beyond her experience as a hostage to explore the challenges she overcame in the aftermath, including her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. She shares how she transformed her mindset to focus on positivity and growth, illustrating transformative principles that enable individuals to unlock their full potential. Audiences will learn how to cultivate a growth-oriented perspective, reframe setbacks as opportunities, and leverage their unique strengths. By the end, participants will understand how to develop an extraordinary mindset that empowers them to thrive, both personally and professionally.

Challenges as Assets

Adversity is a powerful force that can refine our character and deepen our understanding of the world. This keynote delves into the transformative power of challenges and how they can be framed into invaluable assets like wisdom. By understanding the inherent value of difficulties, individuals can learn to integrate their experiences and derive meaningful lessons applicable to all aspects of life.

This keynote is particularly popular among CEOs, corporate professionals, mortgage brokers, and finance professionals. Amanda reflects on the 460 days she spent as a hostage, enduring unimaginable hardships and being kept in the dark. This harrowing experience provides a frame that puts into perspective the challenges faced in business and everyday life. Amanda shares her profound journey from embracing a victim mindset to ultimately overcoming the challenges of a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, viewing and embracing inherent growth opportunities, and ultimately discovering the profound wisdom she now shares with others.

Wisdom is not automatically gained from challenges; it requires a deliberate process of self-awareness, reflection, and understanding. This enables individuals to identify and articulate the lessons learned and apply them in real-world scenarios. The session highlights the importance of cultivating a resilient mindset, endurance, and flexibility to effectively see challenges as assets.

Amanda discusses the inherent responsibility that comes with sharing the wisdom gained from challenges and how this can enhance teamwork and leadership within organizations. By embracing the lessons of adversity, audience members will learn how to create a culture of resilience in their businesses that not only benefits their personal development but also strengthens their teams and organizations.

Resilience Redefined: Unlocking Your Inner Strength

Amanda explores the multifaceted nature of resilience and how it can be cultivated and strengthened through conscious practice and self-reflection.

The term “resilience” is often thrown around in various contexts, but what does it truly mean? This keynote covers a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from someone whose firsthand experiences have made her a true expert on the topic. Having endured 460 days as a hostage in one of the world’s most dangerous countries and living with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder for nearly a decade, Amanda is one of the world’s leading voices on resilience.

She provides strategies for developing a resilient mindset, including mindfulness practices, emotional regulation techniques, and the importance of community support. Attendees will learn how to harness resilience to carry them through life’s most challenging moments.

This keynote is rooted in Amanda’s own experiences while also stepping back to ensure relatability for all attendees. It covers insights that are accessible to anyone looking to strengthen their resilience, regardless of their individual challenges.

Audience reviews:

  • I just want to let you know that we have had an overwhelming number of positive responses to Amanda’s speaking engagement. I must tell you, once she started speaking, no one in the audience moved; their total attention was on Amanda - you could hear a pin drop. She received a standing ovation, which is a first for our Leadership Series. I don’t think people will easily forget what she had to stay.

    - Director, Annual Programs, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
  • Amanda’s story, and the moving way she shares it, served as the perfect close to our Fortune Magazine Summit. The 900+ CEOs and top executives were brought to tears and cheers as they received a message that put the significant pressures they face every day into perspective. - Verne Harnish, Chair, Growth Summit Presented by Fortune
  • She was PHENOMENAL...you could hear a pin drop in the room this morning. I'm proud to say that Ottawa did not disappoint...she ended her keynote with a standing ovation from all 300 people in attendance. It was truly a pleasure, for me personally, to have met Amanda. While I may never completely understand what she endured during her captivity, I can say that her story has left an indescribable mark on my life and will never forget her message.

    - Marketing & Events Coordinator, Salvation Army
  • Amanda Lindhout is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable people I have ever had the honour of hearing speak. Her groundbreaking peace building work in Somalia is made all the more extraordinary by her willingness to work alongside former extremists and exemplifies the true meaning of forgiveness. Her message of peace deserves to be heard by all.


    - Google Ideas' Against Violent Extremism Network
  • She was amazing, spectacular, lovely, uplifting, articulate...the list goes on and on. She is in my humble opinion the best speaker we have ever had! Not sure how or if we will ever be able to top her.

    - Atlantic Psychiatric Conference
  • Amanda is an inspiring speaker with a message that is absolutely vital for our times.


    - Eckhart Tolle Best-selling author of The Power of Now
  • She was amazing as promised- the room of 1500 was silent- you could have heard a pin drop- she has an amazing story and its told in such an authentic manner- Wow- thank you so much for helping make this happen for us
    - President & CEO YMCA of Greater San Antonio
  • Amanda is an inspiration! Her messages of hope, forgiveness, peace and reconciliation are an example for us all.

    - President of the United Nations Association in Canada
  • Amanda is someone to look up to. Someone who instils a sense of hope and goodness in humanity.

    - PCMA Attendee
  • I just want to let you know that we have had an overwhelming number of positive responses to Amanda’s speaking engagement. I must tell you, once she started speaking, no one in the audience moved; their total attention was on Amanda - you could hear a pin drop. She received a standing ovation, which is a first for our Leadership Series. I don’t think people will easily forget what she had to stay.

    - Director, Annual Programs, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation
  • Amanda’s story, and the moving way she shares it, served as the perfect close to our Fortune Magazine Summit. The 900+ CEOs and top executives were brought to tears and cheers as they received a message that put the significant pressures they face every day into perspective. - Verne Harnish, Chair, Growth Summit Presented by Fortune
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Speaker Biography

Amanda Lindhout is an unparalleled voice on the topics of resilience, extraordinary mindset, and transformation. As the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling memoir A House in the Sky, Amanda shares a gripping, firsthand narrative that transcends mere survival. After enduring 460 days as a hostage in Somalia, she distills the lessons learned from adversity into insights that resonate across cultures and industries.

As a keynote speaker, Amanda goes beyond her personal experiences to leave audiences with wisdom that can be applied to their lives and businesses. She has delivered over 500 keynotes in 28 countries for some of the biggest brands in the world, crafting tailored experiences that resonate with audiences, including CEOs, associations, real estate agents and mortgage brokers, and mental health, pharmaceutical and medical professionals. Her dynamic and customized presentations inspire leaders and organizations, empowering their personal and professional growth.

Her expertise is rooted in both her lived experience and a deep understanding of trauma and resilience, cultivated through years of study and personal transformation. Amanda’s approach is characterized by authenticity, where vulnerability meets strength, and theory meets practice. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and endurance, encouraging individuals and organizations to play the long game when facing challenges. Her engaging energy and insightful strategies help audiences navigate obstacles with newfound clarity.

Amanda has traveled to 90 countries. Her powerful story will continue to inspire in the limited series being developed by Hollywood production company A24.

Industry clients include: International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, American Mental Health Association, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, Canadian Mental Health Association, Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, Committee to Protect Journalists, WorkSafe, Workers’ Compensation Board, Nurses Union