Paul de Gelder chased adventure from an early age, navigating a troubled youth as a self-described "hoodlum teen" before finding his path through music and eventually the military. His journey to the elite echelons of the Australian Defense Forces demonstrates his relentless pursuit of challenge and growth.

Paul's transformation accelerated when he joined the Army paratroopers and later the even more selective Navy clearance divers, where the mantra "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome" became his life's foundation.

In February 2009, while conducting counter-terrorism exercises in Sydney Harbor, Paul came face-to-face with his worst nightmare. A 9-foot bull shark attacked without warning, severing his right hand and leg in a violent encounter that left him swimming through his own blood. In those critical moments between life and death, Paul made a defining choice that would set the course for everything that followed—accepting his fate yet refusing to surrender his will to survive.

For more information about Paul de Gelder, please visit his website https://www.pauldegelder.com/. 

Paul J. Long is a leadership and culture expert who teaches organizations the principles of Fundamism™—a deliberate approach to connection that creates unbeatable workplace cultures. Drawing from his experience leading thousands, Paul’s high-impact keynotes deliver actionable insights that energize teams, fuel engagement, and bring meaning back to work. 

For more information about Paul, visit his website, https://pauljlong.com/.