Amanda Lindhout
New York Times Best Author | Expert in resilience, survival and optimal mindset

Amanda Lindhout is a sought-after inspiring speaker, trusted by leading brands to deliver a transformational, life-changing Keynote experience. His New York Times hit memoirs, A House in the Sky, are being developed into a Hollywood film by heavyweight production company Annapurna, with actress Rooney Mara, twice nominated for Oscars, in the role of Amanda.

A publishing phenomenon, A House in the Sky, has remained a bestseller of the Top Ten since its release in 2013. Raised by a single mother in a small town, Amanda escaped childhood violence by imagining herself in the pages of National Geographic magazine. As a young woman, Amanda’s curiosity took her to some of the most beautiful and remote places in the world, her most endangered and perilous countries, and then in 15 months of heartbreaking captivity. A journalist in Somalia, she was abducted by a group of masked men along a dusty road. Amanda spent 460 days as a hostage, surviving through strategy, courage and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Amanda’s unique experiences give her credibility to discuss important issues ranging from the fight against terrorism to support the women’s movement and she regularly appears in the media with her opinion. She has appeared in Vogue, New York Times Magazine, Dateline, The Today Show, Morning Joe and Anderson Cooper.

Amanda’s keynote presentations reach audiences of all sizes – from Richard Branson’s living room to a 20,000-person arena – she creates intimacy with women and men in the room through her powerful emotional narration. His story of survival creates suspense and momentum to reveal life-changing information about the conditioning of the mind, including takeaways about reframing stories of pain in power.

Amanda has travelled to nearly 90 countries. She lives in Calgary, Canada.