Shadi Ganjavian-Connor Speaker | Primary & Creative & Sports & Science & Careers & Women & Assemblies and Celebrations Events & Well-being & Teacher CPD & Parents & Adventure & Happiness

Shadi Ganjavian-Connor

Step into your fears and dare to be different.

Shadi Ganjavian-Connor - Adventurer, Public Speaker, Philanthropist, Fellow of the RGS.

It is seldom that the adage ‘looks can be deceiving’ is more apt than when meeting Shadi for the first time. The diminutive mother of two could be overlooked by those expecting to meet the adventurer who constantly seeks the next challenge. Within the slight, just over 5 feet tall frame, there is a determination and desire, honed by years of gruelling training and a desire to seek the next challenge and ‘put something back in’ to society today and for future generations.

It did not take Shadi long to realise that the mapped out career in marketing was not going to fulfil her unrealised desire to be tested and challenged and an obvious change of direction was needed.

A brief stint in Egypt where Shadi trained as a SCUBA diving instructor was followed by the birth of two daughters before the challenge bug took hold. Starting ‘small’, undertaking Ultra Challenges on the Jurassic Coast, London to Brighton, and Isle of Wight, which raised thousands of pounds for various causes satisfied a part of the desire to put back in, but there was more to be done. For those such as Shadi, who have a fear of heights and despise the cold, the less than obvious choice would be to see mountains as the next challenge to be undertaken.

With the summits of Mont Blanc, The Matterhorn, and Elbrus (Europe’s highest summit) under her belt, in September 2019, Shadi led a team of twenty, previously non-climbing women to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Such was the groundswell of interest and fundraising, similar ventures are planned for Morocco’s Toubkal Peak and another trip to Kilimanjaro.

Having conquered the fear of heights and cold, Shadi is most worried these days about the future of our planet and what lies in store, not only for her children, but generations beyond. Her tales of adventure and stepping into your fears inspire young and old to take action and live more daringly.

Testimonials from Teachers

"Shadi is an ambassador for the Murray Parish Trust, and has achieved an extraordinary amount for our charity, bringing us very much closer to our goal of building a much-needed new children’s Emergency Department at University Hospital Southampton, which will serve most of the South of England. Not only has she personally raised close to £30,000 from feats as varied as climbing the Matterhorn, holding motivational speaking events, and competing in a Zumbathon, but she has spread the message about what we are doing far and wide, and has inspired countless others to raise money, donate and volunteer for our cause. Her tiny but tough frame contains a heart the size of Hampshire, and enough grit to keep every road in Britain free of snow! She’s one of the kindest, most decent, tenacious and charismatic people it’s ever been my privilege to meet - a true role model."

– Jim Murray and Sarah Parish, Founders of The Murray Parish Trust

"Mrs Ganjavian-Connor has visited the school twice to take a whole-school assembly with regard to her expedition to climb the Matterhorn. On her first visit, she told the children about the many individuals and organisations who were raising money to build a new children’s wing at our local hospital, and then outlined the facilities and care that would be on offer to the patients and their families during the hospitalisation process. Whilst this was potentially difficult and upsetting material, Mrs Ganjavian-Connor had clearly thought carefully about the subject-matter, editing it with understanding and regard for the young age of her audience. As a consequence, she achieved an excellent balance between being informative, whilst being sensitive to the feelings of all the children.

She also described her training regime in preparation for the climb, the specific climbing equipment she would need to carry, the geographical location of the mountain, and the trek she would have to
make just to arrive at base camp. Her delivery was confident and informed, and was levelled appropriately in order to engage and inform all ages within the audience.

On her return visit to the school, having successfully achieved her goal by reaching the summit, Mrs Ganjavian-Connor spoke to the children of the physical and mental challenges of the expedition. She accompanied her talk with photos of each stage of the journey, which illustrated and reinforced her often moving, but amusing account. The children were enthralled by her description of the force of nature, the cold and the darkness and the sheer physical and mental effort which mountain-climbing requires; the children were also inspired, and clearly moved, by her comments regarding the power of teamwork, and of the need for qualities such as perseverance, resilience and determination in achieving personal goals. Mrs Ganjavian-Connor’s presentation ended with a Q and A session, which the children greatly enjoyed, as no aspects of the trip were out-of-bounds, and they were able to ask all about the personal highs and lows of the expedition, which are always of particular interest to a young audience!

Mrs Ganjavian-Connor presented in a lively, enthusiastic and very engaging manner with the children, and her delivery was assured, interesting and always relevant. Her talk was supported by appropriate and informative visuals, and her control of her audience was confident and assured. We know that a new adventure to the South Pole is forthcoming, and the staff and children very much hope that Mrs Ganjavian-Connor will return to Sherborne House in the future, to tell us all about it!"

– Heather Hopson-Hill, Head Teacher, Sherborne House School

"Thank you SO MUCH for this morning – all the staff were saying how good your talk was and how much their children enjoyed it so thank you!"

– St Swithuns School