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FREEMAN

Brian Freeman is one of Australia’s greatest adventurers in recent decades, and certainly, one of a handful of the world’s current outstanding Adventurers.

Whereas most adventurers are historically one discipline; such as high altitude mountain climbing, endurance kayaking, desert and jungle running, survival or endurance swimming, Brian has achieved in every discipline, in every environment on the planet.

He is a highly sort after private adventure guide, having led many of Australia’s Business and Sporting Elite on their private adventure programs around the world. As the CEO of Freeman, his knowledge, safety record and success rates are second to none.

He is the author of two published books, currently writing a third, and holds many world records and ‘firsts’ in adventure endurance events. He is also a regular International Keynote Speaker, having received Standing Ovations at his last 15 addresses in 2017. In 2016, he was the winner of the Australian Geographic Society’s ‘Spirit of Adventure Award’.

“ I didn’t move and barely breathed during his speech. What a storyteller and what a human.”

GEMMA HUNTER

Executive Creative Director Mediacom

KEYNOTE AND GUEST SPEAKING

This is emotional and powerful keynote presenting. With such a wealth of experiences to draw from, Brian is able to keep audiences of all sizes enthralled with spellbinding stories that convey true Aussie spirit and courage.

He has spoken in front of former Prime Ministers and Governor Generals past and present and leaders of the Australian business community. His perspective is unique and his words are truly original, challenging, motivating and inspirational.

Brian Freeman has a Story to tell. In 2016, he stood on top of the world on the summit of Mount Everest. In 2015, he ran from the Top of Australia (Tip of Cape York) to the Bottom of Australia South-East Cape, Tasmania) including kayaking Bass Strait in winter without a support boat; a journey of 85 consecutive days. He is the only person to have travelled by foot from the four cardinal extremes of Australia, north to south and east to west, including walking the full Nullabor Plain, completely alone, in the Summer of 2019.

In addition, he has set the world record for the fastest crossing of the Kokoda Trail, in 2005, and the record for the fastest two way or over and back Kokoda Trail. As part of a Team of four, he has kayaked from the Tip of Australia to PNG and then crossed Kokoda, all in under 6 days. He has also swam across the infamous RIP at the head of Port Phillip Bay from Port Nepean to Port Londsdale, first swam by Doug Mew in 1971 and, walked the full Simpson Desert through its Geographical Centre.

Freemans story is one of vulnerability, resilience, struggle and recovery. It’s brutal in its honesty and refreshing in its authenticity. It has a profound personal effect on every individual and every audience. Freeman inspires each person to renew their own clarity of purpose, to live true to their own values despite adversity, and to have the courage to take another step on their own journey through life.

“ A health retreat with the seductive promise of adventure!

Such was the invitation to join a bunch of mates over Easter in a dreamy part of the Queensland Sunshine Coast. What I found tantelising about this invitation was the idea that fasting and adventure could co-exist. Enter Brian Freeman, one of the world’s great adventurers. Our paths had previously crossed when Freeman led a decrepit band of friends across the perilous ridges of the Kokoda Track. Surrounded by a team of health experts, Freeman guided us on long trekking expeditions, canoeing, ocean swims and mountain climbs. Today he has built on our experience at Living Valley, nestled among the gently undulating hills of the Noosa hinterland, by offering packages which are a collaboration or health, fun, reflection and adventure. For me it was actually life changing - and fun.”

JOHN HARRINGTON

Former CEO News Ltd – June 2021

“ When it comes to a safe, well balanced adventure Brian Freeman is the right man for the job.

I have had the pleasure of adventures near, think trekking mainland Australia, and far, think dog sledding in Alaska, sea-kayaking Torres Strait, hiking and even running the Kokoda track, under Brian’s guidance. What sets Brian appart is he has lived a bit of life so he designs an adventure to meet the needs of the individual. Challenging enough to fill you with a bit of trepidation but “within your boundaries” so it’s safe and very satisfying. Brian is modest, generous, humble and thoughtful. He can share a good yarn and he can empathise with anyone who has had a rough trot. If at Living Valley or beyond, a Brian Freeman adventure, especially with family and close friends, will get your heart rate up, but not too high, and your spirits soaring!”

DAVID MOFFATT

Chairman and Group CEO Ventia

RECORDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
BRIAN FREEMAN

World Record fastest one way unsupported crossing of the Kokoda Trail, 24 hours and 59 minutes (2005)*
World Record fastest over and back crossing of the Kokoda Trail, 3.5 days (2003)
Fastest crossing in a kayak from Australia to PNG followed by a traverse of the Kokoda Trail, full journey Cape York to Kokoda 5.5 days (2010)
Only person to run Australia’s northern most point (Tip of Cape York) to southern most point (South East Cape Tasmania) including kayaking across Bass Strait. Full journey 85 days, 6000+ km (2015)
Three-time International Climb Team Member and Summiteer Mount Everest (2014, 2015, 2016)
Completed 65 marathon and half marathon runs (combined distances 65km) in 65 consecutive days (2015)
59 complete crossings of the Kokoda Trail (2002 – 2017)
Two crossings of Australia’s Simpson Desert, on foot through the geographical centre of the desert (2008, 2009)
Two crossings of Bass Strait by kayak; second crossing in winter, unsupported, one kayak in the second fastest time for a kayak crossing of Bass Strait, 60 hours and 16 minutes (2015)
First and only person to have travelled by kayak and foot from the southern-most point of Australia to the village of Kokoda in PNG.
Swam the infamous Melbourne ‘RIP’ - Head of Port Phillip Bay, Port Nepean to Port Londsdale.
Walked unsupported from Australia’s eastern most point (Byron Bay Lighthouse) to western most point (Shark Bay); a further 5500 plus kilometres
Only person to have travelled by foot and kayak to and from all cardinal extremes of Australia

* The Kokoda race record had stood for 18 years prior to Brian breaking it by more than 2 hours in 2005. Brian followed the original and much longer route (25% longer) as per the races conducted in 1972 and 1973 across the Kokoda Trail. Brian’s race was completed alone, self-navigating and selfsupporting. His record is officially sanctioned and accredited (including the route) by the Kokoda Track Authority.

** Fastest kayak crossing of Bass Strait completed by Andrew McAuley in 36 hours. Andrew lost his life attempting to kayak solo to New Zealand in 2007.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Complete the Seven Summits (highest mountain) on the Seven Continents.
Complete the Triple Crown of Ocean Swimming including the English Channel, Manhattan Island and the Catalina Ocean Crossing.
English Channel Swim completes the rare ‘Peak to Pond’ Challenge (Summit Everest and Swim the English Channel).
Ski to both the North and South Poles – completing the Grand Slam of Mountaineering (Everest and both Poles).

FORMAL STUFF

Australian Army Active Service Medal
Active Service Medal
Long Service Medal with Bar
INTERFET Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Australian Geographic Society Spirit of Adventure Award (2016)
Australian Regular Army Infantry and Commando Soldier and Officer

Special Forces Roping Supervisor
Special Forces Climbing Course
Parachute Training Course
Australian Army Adventure Training Qualification in Canyoning, Abseiling and Top Rope Climbing
Army Adventure Training Qualification in Manging Risk in Adventure Environments

Tertiary Studies in Managing and Mitigating Risk in Adventure Environments
Certified Advanced Wilderness Survival
Wilderness Medicine
Discovered the Lost Battlefield of Kokoda concluding in three funded Archaeological Site Surveys and recovery of War Dead
Published Author of ‘The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda’ and ‘Walking Wounded’

“ For over 20 years I have been associated with Brian Freeman. He has organised and led many adventures all over the world over for myself and my friends and many other fortunate Australians. He is thoroughly professional, great at what he does and extremely safe. Not only can he walk the walk by completing his own ambitious adventures, but his strongest asset is that he simply wants to help people, which he excels at.

JOHN SINGLETON

23 April 2021

“ Thank you for reminding me that true courage and humanity still exist. Life Changing.”

BROOKE CHILCOTT

Naked Communications

“ An amazing experience. Emotional highs and lows. Brian leaves you knowing you can do anything if you put your mind to it.”

KATE FINNEY

Melbourne Sales Manager, Channel Seven

I have known Brian Freeman both in the Army and afterwards for well over fifteen years. In his army service he was most professional with great knowledge, extremely sound judgment and boundless energy. I knew when he retired from a long life in uniform, he would be successful in his commercial venture of conducting adventure programs… Brian Freeman is an archetypical ‘doer’ – cheerful, wise, honest and determined. He has a great social consciousness.”

SIR PETER COSGROVE

Written 2012 and endorsed 2019

Brian is an incredible and inspiring human being, with such moving stories and a motivating strength of character”

KATE O’RYAN-ROEDER

Chief Executive Officer Mindshare