John Peters
Gulf War POW, performance coach and best-selling author.
Profile
John Peters came to the world’s attention in January 1991, when his bruised and battered face flashed onto television screens around the world. It was his disfigured image that became a potent symbol of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless aggression.
His dramatic and sometimes harrowing experiences reach deep into our innermost minds, showing us how we can overcome even our worst fears and nightmares. His war was not all as he expected – it became a seven-week ordeal of torture and interrogation testing John Peters to the absolute limit and bringing him close to death.
John is an experienced speaker of international repute to corporates, the public sector and charities. He was the sole reader representing the British Armed Forces at the National Gulf Memorial Service, in front of Her Majesty, The Queen and presented the Sir James Martin Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in the presence of Prince Philip and followed Mr Nelson Mandela on stage in South Africa. He has written two best-selling books and the documentary, ‘Tornado Down’ which was an Independent Documentary of the Year and a BAFTA Award Nominee. He has extensive international TV, radio, PR and media experience.
He speaks on resilience, agility, leadership, dealing with uncertainty, agility and a high-performance mindset:
• Resilient Agility
• Leading in uncertainty. Coping with uncertainty
• Performance under Pressure
• Grit and mental wellbeing
• Dealing with the unexpected and managing the pressure?
• Resilience, mental toughness and dealing with vulnerabilities.
• Mindset of a Fighter Pilot
Media
Feedback
Anyone who has had the privilege of listening to you speak cannot be anything other than impressed by your attitude to life and your determination, courage and integrity. Yours is a gripping and extremely moving story. Everyone to whom I have spoken since your presentation has unreservedly said that it was excellent. Your reflections on the dual concepts of failure and trust have certainly provided me with plenty of food for thought.
John Peters - what an inspiration! What I found most powerful was his totally down to earth and dignified approach towards life threatening experiences.
John was great. Probably the most powerful story the audience has ever heard. Quite controversial, but we wanted to stir up the audience and get them really talking and thinking about the messages he delivered in his presentation.
One minute I wanted to cry my eyes out and the next minute you had me laughing out loud... the feedback has been incredible. Twitter has gone mad. Thought provoking, empowering and inspirational are just a few of the words people have used to describe yesterday's event.
I am left with a lasting impression of John Peters, who will remain in my memory as one of the most incredible and emotional speakers that I have ever experienced and had the honour of hearing.
There was no one in the room that wasn't one minute moved to tears, the next gasping or laughing. I know I was riveted throughout your presentation. You have a great sense of humour as well as real humility. It was a truly a memorable experience reach for us at the event.
I have never seen the officer cadets so obviously captivated before: it is a feat in itself to keep them awake, but to maintain their interest is almost unheard of! It is only the second time that I've ever heard the cadets give such a prolonged ovation to a speaker at Sandhurst.
I have seen some speakers in my time, but you are the first to provide a presentation that was truly overwhelming. You came across as one of us, a real person and the way you delivered your amazing story and experiences touched the whole audience, as the content was relevant to every single person. It was powerful stuff and I felt very privileged to have even been there.
