‘That was one of the best, if not THE best lecture I’ve ever seen at the RGS…’
I’m a record-breaking, award winning adventurer, writer and broadcaster, and as well as writing about my journeys, I also LOVE giving talks about them. I’ve delivered over 100 talks to date, my speaking experience ranging from giving lectures to 750 people at London’s Royal Geographical Society to recounting tales of my adventures to companies, literary festivals, adventure expos and wide-eyed eight-year-olds.
Among those I’ve given talks for are The Financial Times Weekend Festival, Gov.uk, BDO Accountants, The Wilderness Lectures, Kendal Mountain Festival, The Royal Geographical Society, Cheltenham Literary Festival, The Telegraph Adventure Travel Show, The Week magazine, Port Eliot Festival, the Wigtown Book Festival and many more. I also give regular school talks, and have spoken at some of the country’s top private schools, including Wycombe Abbey, Sherborne and Cottesmore.
“Indiana Jones in a dress” Condé Nast entertainment, USA
My high-energy keynote talks use lessons from my expeditions to inspire people to embrace change, take risks and be more courageous in the workplace. People are capable of so much more than they think they are, and I’m passionate about helping individuals, teams and companies realise their potential. So many of us are boxed in by fear - it’s only through courage, through saying yes and leaning into life’s challenges, that we can achieve meaningful change and growth.
If you’re interested in booking me for a talk please drop me a line here, and have a look at my speaking showreel below.
MY KEYNOTE TALKS
The Anatomy of Courage
’Only boldness can deliver from fear. And if the risk is not taken, the meaning of life is somehow violated.” Carl Jung.
All my expeditions have begun with me saying ‘Yes.’ With having the courage to take a risk, step into the unknown, and do something that scares me.
From tuk-tukking across deserts to motorbiking through jungles and exploring the eastern Himalayas, this high-energy keynote uses stories and learnings from my expeditions to help people become more courageous in the workplace.
Courage doesn’t just apply to physical bravery in extreme environments. It’s about embracing change, speaking up, persevering, having difficult conversations and swimming against the tide. Courage, whether you’re in the jungle or the office, is at the heart of meaningful growth and change.
Embracing Change for Growth
When did you last do something that scared you? That really pushed you out of your comfort zone?
Using lessons from my solo motorbike expedition down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, this talk is about having the courage to embrace change, and – in doing so – becoming more effective in the workplace.
Change is often accompanied by fear - fear of failure, fear of not being enough. But fear can also be the gateway to growth. Only through embracing change, challenging ourselves, can we fulfil our potential.
But you don’t have to ride a small pink motorbike alone through the jungle to gain these sorts of insights. This talk shows you that it’s not about where we go, it’s about the mindset we cultivate, about being willing to step into the unknown and embrace the lessons it has to offer.
School Talks
I’ve spoken to primary and secondary schools all over the country, and am as happy speaking to eight-year-olds as Sixth Formers. At a time when girls and young women are facing growing misogyny, both online and in person, I particularly enjoy speaking to girls’ schools. I’m not some musclebound ex-SAS soldier, I’m an ordinary woman who simply had the courage to say yes and do things differently. I want my talks to inspire and empower young people, especially girls, and show them that through ambition, hard work and commitment, they can achieve anything.
In both of these talks, expect wit, mud, mountains, jeopardy and actionable insights galore.
Key themes and takeaways: Empowering teams and individuals to be more courageous in the workplace.The importance of seeking discomfort. The transformative power of taking risks. Embracing change for growth. Inspiration and empowerment. Overcoming fears. The Courage Mindset.
UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS
Wild Writing Weekend. Two day non-fiction writing retreat with fellow author Lois Pryce. Wales, 14th - 16th May, 2026. Spaces available.
Write with Orwell. Five-day non-fiction writing retreat with Lois Pryce. June 28th to July 3rd, 2026. Isle of Jura, Scotland. 1 space available.
Steyning Festival. Talk about my adventures. May 26th, 2026. Book here.
“Antonia delivered a stunning lecture on her journey through the Eastern Himalayas. We were as entranced by the tales of head-hunters and animal sacrifice as we were by Antonia’s skill at keeping an audience ranging between 6 and 60 (possibly more!) spell-bound. From animations of the Indian and Eurasian plates crashing together 50 million years ago, to roast rats and bats, to pictures of Ting Tong the tuk-tuk and Hero the Motorcycle, there was an overriding message I wholly endorse: about making connections, about getting beyond one’s comfort zone, about trusting instinct, about the way smiles and kindness transcend language barriers and difference. It was a blisteringly good show showing fun and wisdom as close bed-fellows.”
Beeston Hall School, Norfolk
“Thank you so much for this evening – the talk was amazing.”
BDO Accountants, London
“The best talk I’ve seen at the RGS in at least two years.“
Audience member at the Royal Geographical Society
“Ants delivers daring details of derring-do with much mirth, modesty, wit and wisdom. She makes even the most seemingly hare-brained adventures feel amazingly accessible and achievable, but still awesomely inspiring.”
Shambala Festival
“The audience were amused and informed but, above all, they left inspired. Antonia is as impressive a communicator as she is an adventurer. She will be back if we have anything to do with it.”
Wigtown Book Festival
“Indiana Jones in a dress.“
Conde Naste Entertainment USA
“Incredibly researched. Delivered with poise and eloquence. The outcome will leave you desperate to explore the pathways she once travelled.”
Steve Scott, Director, Kendal Mountain Festival.
“Ants was the star of the show at the Adventure Travel Film Festival. Entertaining and inspiring, she kept the audience spellbound with great stories and pictures, and her talk was so popular she had to put on a repeat performance!”
The Adventure Travel Film Festival
“Thank you for giving such an excellent talk. Of the near forty speakers we have arranged over the last ten years your talk was delivered with more passion and enthusiasm than all. I heard Kate Adie talk a few months ago and I put you up there in her bracket.”
The MaCanally Society
“I have seen Ants speak twice to very different audiences about her travel writing. Erudite, witty and above all engaging, she is a first class speaker with a sensitive approach and takes great care to make her content relevant to those she is addressing. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.“
Emanuel School, London
“Brilliant; we’re intending to book her for our next season, to hear about her latest adventures in Arunachal Pradesh. Her talks are highly amusing, entertaining and informative accounts of outrageous adventures.”
The Wilderness Lectures, Bristol