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John Sullivan is a former Royal Marines Commando, professional adventurer, survival expert, expedition leader, and TV recce scout — the man who makes shows happen in some of the world’s most remote and unforgiving environments.
Leaving home at just sixteen to pursue a career in the Royal Marines, John earned the coveted Green Beret through determination, discipline and an unbreakable mindset. Through his experiences, he learned that resilience is not something people are born with — it is built through challenge, perseverance and the moments when giving up feels easiest.
From living with nomadic tribes in the jungles of Borneo and filming documentaries in deserts and uninhabited islands, to leading conservation expeditions protecting endangered jaguars in Belize, John has built a career around pushing boundaries and thriving far beyond the comfort zone.
Best known for his work on the worldwide National Geographic hit Eating with Cannibals, John delivers gripping, humorous, and inspirational talks that take audiences behind the scenes of real adventure and documentary filmmaking. His presentations reveal not only the dangers and excitement of life in extreme environments, but also the powerful lessons learned through teamwork, leadership, resilience, and human connection.
With a unique ability to combine jaw-dropping stories with meaningful life lessons, John speaks on survival, motivation, leadership under pressure, conservation, and the mindset needed to achieve extraordinary goals. Whether discussing how documentaries are made in remote regions, the importance of “winning the locals to win the show,” or the psychology of survival itself, John captivates audiences with authenticity, humour, and energy.
Through keynote talks including Eating with Cannibals, One Man, One Machete, Life Behind the Lens, The Art of Survival, Survival of a Species, and Feed the Rat, John inspires audiences to embrace discomfort, challenge limitations, and feed the inner desire to truly go for it — no matter what.
Step behind the scenes of one of National Geographic’s most extraordinary productions. In this gripping talk, John Sullivan reveals the untold story behind Eating with Cannibals — from dangerous jungle reconnaissance and survival logistics to capturing unforgettable moments on camera. Packed with adventure, humour, and real behind-the-scenes insights, audiences will also hear John’s unforgettable top tip: when visiting remote communities with a history of cannibalism, always, always be very polite… and never ask what’s for dinner.
This talk follows John Sullivan on an extraordinary journey deep into the rainforests of Borneo, where he lived alongside the nomadic Penan people to learn their ancient survival skills. What began as a quest for adventure became a powerful insight into the challenges threatening the Penan way of life. Filled with humour, danger, and unforgettable encounters, this inspiring talk combines real adventure with a deeply human story.
This is a powerful and deeply personal talk from John Sullivan about ambition, resilience, and the courage to chase the impossible. From dreaming of becoming a young Royal Marine to building a life as a professional adventurer, John shares the mindset, drive, and determination that pushed him beyond his limits.
At its heart, Feed the Rat is about feeding that inner desire and truly going for it — no matter what. More than just an adventure story, this inspiring presentation challenges audiences to reflect on why we do the things we do, how we can become better people, and what really drives us. John also reveals the life-changing moment that transformed his world overnight, proving that the greatest opportunities often come when you take the risk and fully commit to your dream.
This talk takes audiences deep into the world of documentary filmmaking with John Sullivan. From jungles and deserts to remote uninhabited islands, John reveals what really happens behind the camera — the planning, pressure, logistics, and challenges of capturing extraordinary stories in some of the world’s harshest environments. Packed with adventure and behind-the-scenes insight, this fascinating talk also shares John’s guiding philosophy: “Win the locals, win the show” — because without the trust and help of remote communities, no documentary ever gets made.
This is a powerful and inspiring talk from John Sullivan that reveals the reality of frontline conservation. Through a gripping expedition deep into the jungles of Belize, John shares how a small team of just 12 people took on the challenge of protecting endangered jaguars from poachers by building a ranger station in the middle of nowhere.
Beyond the adventure, John also explores leadership from the front — how do you keep people motivated when they are exhausted, uncomfortable, surrounded by heat, humidity, and a relentless environment that makes it easy to give up? Packed with real-world lessons in resilience, teamwork, and determination, this extraordinary story shows what real conservation looks like when the stakes are high and nature hangs in the balance.
Just wanted to say a big thank you to John Sullivan who came to our school to deliver a speech at our awards evening for Year 9. He did a fantastic job, his speech was an excellent balance of motivation humour and inspiration. He kept us all gripped for 20mins. Many of out 300 guests have spoken to or contacted me since to say that he was the best speaker we have had in many years.
John Sullivan and his experiences were both entertaining and extremely interesting. Highy recommended; something you are likely not to see or hear again.
