Guest Speaker for 2018 SWC Awards Evening

Aaron Fleming is an award-winning New Zealand leader, athlete, and author with one of the most moving tales you will ever hear. He will the guest speaker at the upcoming 2018 SWC Forestry Awards running at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Friday 25 May 2018.

Still very early in his career, Aaron has an incredible list of achievements and leadership experience that could inspire and motivate any audience:

• Blake Leader Award recipient
• Senior leadership positions in both Local and Central Government
• Author of motivational book Purpose
• Multiple international Ironman finisher
• New Zealand’s Olympic Games torchbearer
• Previous finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year
• Established successful start-up community environmental initiatives
• Television presenter
• And a presenter with over ten years’ experience ready to wow your audience

Having achieved all that, what you’ll find hard to believe is Aaron’ age – he’s only in his early 30s.

Aaron has achieved this despite adversity, having suffered from a serious health complaint where his surgeon told him that he would never again be physically active.

Following gruelling surgery and the devastating news, Aaron got addicted to his painkillers and suffered from severe depression. One night after he was found curled up on a high on the kitchen floor, he decided to turn his life around.

In an effort to return to good health, Aaron entered the gruelling New Zealand Ironman. When he started training he could only swim half a length in the pool and could only run the distance of four lamp posts. The 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42.2 run Ironman was a courageous goal that was going to require a lot of effort.

With sheer determination and gutsy self-belief Aaron went on to complete his Ironman goal, and has since completed multiple international Ironman races. He is currently working towards a goal he has set himself to complete an Ironman race in every continent and for his efforts he is held in high regard across the international triathlon community.

Aaron’s incredible fortitude, determination and outstanding contribution to the community led to him being selected as New Zealand’s only Ambassador to carry the Olympic Torch in Canberra for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In an attempt to inspire and motivate others to achieve their goals, Aaron has written and self-published the book Purpose, his awe-inspiring story of how a young New Zealand ‘everyday’ male, overcame adversity to achieve an impossible goal. Aaron’s story has motivated and inspired other New Zealander’s to believe in themselves and leave them with renewed respect for what can be achieved when you put your mind to it.

Aaron is held in high regard as a leader, and is a recipient of the prestigious Blake Leader Award from the Sir Peter Blake Trust. This award not only recognises Aaron’s personal and community achievements, but also his professional leadership in becoming one of New Zealand’s youngest senior managers across both Local and Central Government, managing and transforming high performing teams. Aaron is currently a director in a central government agency.

Aaron’s story is gripping, emotional and truly inspirational. He is a high demand speaker who can talk about change, overcoming adversity, resilience, leadership, goal setting and perseverance.

Click here for further information about the 2018 SWC Awards