Who Is Chris Heeter? Always engaging. Never boring. Refreshingly different.

As a speaker, Chris’ goal is to do more than inform—it's to un-domesticate, to stop talking about resilience and wellbeing, and start experiencing it, even during a keynote.  Blending storytelling and poetry with insights and immersive experiences from the natural world, Chris guides people and teams back to their Wild essence, the deeper, intuitive, whole-hearted parts often quieted by modern life.

Raised in a family that camped, paddled, and hiked in remote wilderness, Chris learned early that the natural world is both mirror and mentor.  Time spent with spirited sled dogs, steep canyon walls, and wide-open skies shaped a deep understanding of connection and the joy of being fully alive.  These wilderness lessons inspire Chris’ work with leaders and teams seeking purpose, clarity, and renewed energy, helping them listen to their inner voice again, and remember that their beautiful, messy, natural self is their greatest asset.

Featured on National Geographic Today and recognized with national speaking awards, Chris delivers memorable keynotes and workshops that stir both heart and mind. Whether guiding in the backcountry or speaking at conferences, Chris helps people tap into their inner wildness to lead from the heart, and live more fully.

Session Topic:

Resilience, purpose, leadership, and wellbeing

Session Description:

In the fast-paced, high-pressure world, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of doing—checking boxes, managing details, reacting to the next urgent demand. But what would happen if you paused? If you took a moment to remember why you do this work in the first place?

In this powerful and immersive keynote, Chris - an award winning speaker,  wilderness guide, poet, and dog musher - invites you to reconnect with your deeper purpose: Your Wild Why. Chris blends compelling storytelling with the wisdom of nature. This session creates space to reflect, re-ground, and reimagine your role. 

Using the natural world as both mirror and mentor, Chris blends story, poetry, imagery, and music, weaving insights from the wild resiliency of nature into take-aways for us as we deal with the challenges in our own lives today.

Chris’ stories inspire fresh perspectives on resilience and meaningful work. This isn’t a lecture. It’s an experience. It is a journey that brings the outdoors in and leaves you feeling more connected, more centered, and more alive.

Whether you’re on the edge of burnout or simply ready for a new lens on your professional life, this keynote is your invitation to step out of the noise and rekindle your Wild Why.

Participants will:

• Reconnect with Purpose - Rediscover your personal and professional “why” to reignite passion, direction, and creativity in your work.

• Incorporate tools and examples from the natural world for Resilience and Insight - Learn accessible, nature-based practices that foster clarity, wellbeing, and inner strength.

• Leave Re-Energized - Engage in immersive experiences that renew your energy and inspire meaningful, purpose-driven work.