Stephen Koch’s career as a pioneering snowboard mountaineer, professional athlete and mountain guide led to over 50 first ascents and descents on the world’s highest and most challenging mountains where he made calculated decisions with a high level of uncertainty in the face of extreme danger. He generally chose well, but occasionally not. It is in the “not” where the gold lies.

As a thought leader and keynote speaker, Koch analyzes the world of high-stakes decision-making and failure, sharing the gold that has resulted from tragedy as he connects with audiences. He inspires organizations and teams through customized presentations with stories and lessons learned from two decades of climbing and snowboarding unprecedented new routes from around the world.

What do you learn from two decades of climbing up and snowboarding down the world’s highest, most challenging mountains? What do you learn from trying – and failing – to summit Mount Everest and snowboard down? What do you learn from surviving an avalanche with broken legs and a broken back?

You learn something about grit. You learn something about teamwork. You learn how to handle failure.