Every speaker is different and each brings their own unique perspective to the podium. Rob Dyke is really different and has lived a life like no other. Rob is able to address any group and send them away confident that no dream is impossible, no task too difficult and no barrier too big. Rob is the big engine that could, he is an ordinary man that consistently does extraordinary things. He is unique.

Every time Rob speaks, positive feedback pours into the office at Speakwell.

"Over the past few months I have been doubting the things I've always wanted to do. But after hearing Rob, my doubts melted away and the only remaining question is which project to do first."

"Wow, what an amazing presentation. I love his way of dealing with life with a philosophy of "Just say yes!"

"Our fears, practical ideas and laziness often lead us to become the very things we didn't want to be. Rob's view concerning the word 'yes' is hugely inspiring."

Again and again we see words such as 'wow', 'great', 'inspirational' and 'wonderful'.

Rob's Topics

1. "Just Say Yes"
   A way of approaching problems and situations with a positive perspective.
2. "Finding Your 'First'" During our younger years we experience many 'firsts'. First bicycle ride, first steps, first kiss, first car, first job, first marriage, to name a few. Many of the early 'firsts' are positive and enhance our lives, but as we age, if we're not careful, more of the 'firsts' become negative. We might have to deal with first failure in an exam, first divorce, first loss of job, first weight gain, first heart attack, first diabetes, all 'firsts' you'd rather avoid. A successful life can be structured so that positive 'firsts' keep showing up while the days and decades accumulate.
3. "The Anatomy of a Hero" A hero is an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. There's a hero in all of us but it gets hidden under layers of caution and 'common sense', and gets buried by fear; fear of failure and fear of embarrassment. The path to becoming your own hero and maybe a hero to others is not as long and difficult as we might imagine.

A Brief Biography of Rob Dyke

Rob graduated from the University of Victoria where he was a successful scholar/athlete. He was a competitive swimmer and cyclist and then a triathlete. He moved from Olympic distance triathlons to Ironman, including one in Hawaii which he completed despite being sick and dehydrated from food poisoning.

The real Rob Dyke emerged when a fellow distance swimmer was unable to attempt a first ever swim on the ferry route from Vancouver to Victoria. The swim was a fund-raiser for a local children's hospital and with almost no training Rob just said 'yes' and stepped in a gave it his best. He was pulled from the water semi-conscious, arms still flailing away trying to complete the swim. He treated this as a learning experience and the following year became the first person to complete the 35 k swim.

In 2003, Rob and his friend Ian walked across India, climbed within 300 meters of the summit of Everest...

This year it's back to Everest to cook for the British team and write the first Everest Cookbook and then another shot at swimming the almost impossible swim around Vancouver Island.

Rob will be available as a speaker in October 2005 following his big swim.