Els Visser is a medical doctor with a PhD in surgery and a former professional triathlete who competed at the highest international level. Her remarkable life story, from surviving a shipwreck to winning international IRONMAN races, forms the foundation of her inspiring talks. Combining personal experiences with insights from science and elite sport, she shows how conscious choices, ownership and resilience contribute to personal growth, sustainable performance and a healthy life.

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A shipwreck off the coast of Indonesia, which forced her to swim for hours to survive, changed her outlook on life. Under extreme conditions, she learned to focus on what she could influence and move forward step by step, even without knowing the outcome. She carried these lessons into her years competing at the highest level of international triathlon.

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Els helps people and organisations recognise the influence they have over their own lives. Her experiences as a doctor, elite athlete and shipwreck survivor have shown her how much our choices matter. They shape not only what we achieve, but also how we feel and how healthy we stay. Els inspires people to take responsibility, chart their own course and make the most of their lives.

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As a speaker and trainer at Better Minds, Els translates her experiences into practical lessons for organisations. She explores decision-making under uncertainty, ownership, resilience and the balance between ambition and long-term health. Her medical background adds another perspective: how can we perform well today while staying strong and healthy in the long run?

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“You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control the choices you make next.”

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