Paula Reid

Paula Reid is a rare mix of adventurer, psychologist and business leader. From skiing to the South Pole to Yacht racing round-the-world or carrying out humanitarian work in Ukraine, Paula has learned to develop the mindset to thrive and perform in the toughest of conditions. She draws on her extreme adventuring experience, business acumen and Masters in Positive Psychology to help individuals and organisations survive and thrice in challenging conditions.

Paula’s 120 adventures to date include becoming the 3rd British Woman to ski the 1000km trek to the South Pole. So far only 300 people have successfully completed this journey through remote, freezing terrain. Prior to this, with no previous sailing experience, she was a core crew member of the Global Challenge World’s Toughest Yacht Race, racing 35,000 miles the ‘wrong way’ around the world. The race lasted for ten months, including 187 days at sea; 75 of which were spent in the notoriously freezing and dangerous Southern Ocean.

In a ground-breaking expedition she paddled 600 miles down the Mekong in a dugout canoe which she bought off a tribal chief in rural Cambodia. She has also cycled across 19 countries and volunteers in Ukraine. In September 2023, she cycled across Ukraine for the Hope Full Charity.

In business she has spent 30+ years working with leaders and organisations including RBS, GSK, PaloAlto, Arla, Pedigree and the M.O.D. In 2018 she founded Adventure Psychology, a performance and well-being business providing programmes that teach the mindset of adventuring, building flexibility, overcoming adversity, managing change, risk taking, resilience and enduring performance.

Adventure Psychology provides the tools, strategies and mindset to anticipate, and then lead and perform in challenging and uncertain conditions, in context and under pressure. We can’t predict the future, but we can prepare for it so that leaders and their teams can go Knowingly into the Unknown™.
Paula is the author of five books including the academic research book: Adventure Psychology : Going Knowingly into the Unknown. She’s a speaker and executive coach, delivers workshops and retreats, and takes groups of CEOs wild swimming!

Paula is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has presented the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at St James Palace.

Suggested Topics

1. Adventure Psychology: Going Knowingly into the Unknown
- How to survive, cope and thrive in challenging times
- Enduring resilience
- Cope with Uncertainty
- Deal with Adversity
- Success, Failure and Quitting
- Managing Risk and Fear
Outcomes: Strategies, models, tips and tools in how to deal with challenge & uncertainty

2. Ski Full Distance to the South Pole
- Inspiration, Resilience, Achieving Goals, Courage.
Outcomes: Enduring performance with mental strength

3. Sailing round-the-world – Boat to Boardroom
- Teamwork, Leadership, Crisis, Motivation.
Outcomes: Teamwork, performance and leadership under pressure

4. Cycling across Ukraine
- Inspiration, Daring Greatly, risk management, hope, courage, fear, hero’s journey.
Outcomes: Courage & commitment to action, empowerment

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Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Paula Reid. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.