Ultra-Endurance Pioneer, Bestselling Author & Resilience Coach

Lisa Tamati is one of New Zealand's most decorated ultra-endurance athletes — and one of its most powerful storytellers on what it really takes to keep going. With more than 140 ultramarathons, 25 years of expedition experience and three bestselling books behind her, Lisa is a sought-after speaker on mental toughness and resilience.

Who is Lisa Tamati?

Taranaki-raised, Lisa has spent her adult life pushing the limits of what's possible on foot, on a bike and on the road. She has run, cycled, canoed and trekked across some of the harshest environments on earth, and turned those experiences into a body of work that helps everyday audiences find their own next level.

Career Highlights

• First New Zealand woman to finish the Badwater Ultramarathon — 217 km through Death Valley

• Over 140 ultramarathons completed, with national titles and international podium finishes

• Ran the length of New Zealand (2,250 km in 42 days) for CureKids and CanTeen

• Crossed the Libyan desert and canoed the Canadian Yukon on solo expeditions

• Cycle-toured through more than 25 countries

• Bestselling author of three running books, including Running Hot and Relentless

• Producer or co-producer of eight documentaries

• Long-running podcast host in the longevity and human performance space

Key Speaking Themes

• Mental toughness and resilience under pressure

• Goal-setting and seeing the impossible through

• Leadership, change and managing risk

• Family, caregiving and finding strength in setbacks

• Health, recovery and human potential

What Your Audience Will Gain

Lisa delivers raw, real, deeply human keynotes. Audiences leave with the goosebumps of her Badwater and length-of-NZ stories — and the practical mindset tools she's built into a career of helping people push through their own walls. Equally at home with corporate, community and sporting audiences.

Ideal For

• Leadership and high-performance conferences

• Resilience, wellbeing and mental health events

• Sales conferences and after-dinner keynotes

• Health, safety and risk-management forums

• Schools, sports clubs and community events

Frequently Asked Questions about Lisa Tamati

What does Lisa Tamati speak about? Mental toughness, resilience, goal-setting, leadership and the lessons of 25 years at the extreme end of endurance sport.

What is Lisa Tamati best known for? Being the first Kiwi woman to finish the 217 km Badwater Ultramarathon through Death Valley, and running the length of New Zealand for charity.

How many ultramarathons has Lisa Tamati run? More than 140 ultramarathons across her 25-year endurance career.

Has Lisa Tamati written books? Yes — three bestsellers: Running Hot, Running to Extremes and Relentless.

Why did Lisa Tamati step back from ultra-running? To help her mother recover from a major aneurysm — a chapter she now speaks about as honestly as her racing.
Is Lisa Tamati available for corporate keynotes? Yes. Lisa has been a sought-after speaker for over 14 years, presenting in NZ and internationally.