Michael Groom

A professional mountaineer and speaker, Michael Groom’s story of how he overcame severe challenges to climb the world’s largest mountains is truly inspiring.

In 1987 Michael became the first Australian to climb Kangchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain, without the use of bottled oxygen or Sherpa support. However when descending the mountain, Michael became temporarily blinded and was forced to spend the night exposed to the elements at above 8000m.  Michael suffered serious frostbite, resulting in a third of both his feet being amputated. He was told he would never walk again.

Facing life in a wheelchair, Michael applied sheer will and determination to learn to walk again. Three years later he successfully climbed Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth highest mountain.

In 1996 Michael joined Rob Hall’s calamitous Mt Everest attempt in which eight climbers died. Of all those who reached the summit, only Michael and Into Thin Air author, Jon Krakauer, survived.

Michael went on to become the first Australian to reach the top of the world’s five most challenging mountains; Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu.

In 2000 Michael’s remarkable story was made into a documentary by the Australian Film Corporation. His book Sheer Will, published in 1997 and updated in 1999 and 2000, is a can’t-put-down read.

Michael Groom talks about:

Michael Groom’s personal presentation, accompanied with impossibly beautiful visuals, is to see the earth in its purest and rawest form – the way the earth was meant to be.

Michael motivates soldiers going off to war, athletes struggling to come back from serious injury, professional people keen to get a little closer to the truth of ‘no pain, no gain’, and ordinary people who just love to sit and listen to one of Australia’s most amazing human endeavour stories.

Michael Groom’s major clients have included: AMP, BP Australia, Bank of Queensland, AXA, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australian Paralympians, The Australian Millers Association, The Australian Auditors Association, The Australian Premix Concrete Association, Chase Manhattan Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation, The Australian Boarding School Association and many more…