Sport | Motivational Speakers

Matt Formston

World champion para surfer, Paralympian and resilience speaker redefining what is possible

Overview

Matt Formston is a world champion para surfer, elite cyclist, Australian Paralympian and inspirational keynote speaker who has spent his life challenging perceptions and breaking barriers. Living with less than five percent vision due to Macular Dystrophy, Matt has built an extraordinary career in sport, leadership and advocacy while inspiring audiences to turn obstacles into opportunities. His story is a powerful example of resilience, determination and finding strength in difference.

Who is Matt Formston?

Diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at just five years old, Matt Formston grew up facing challenges that many believed would limit his opportunities. Supported by a family who focused on possibility rather than limitation, he thrived in mainstream education and competed in sports including Rugby League, Rugby Union and Ice Hockey.

Over time, Matt developed into one of Australia's most accomplished para athletes, achieving success across surfing, cycling and Paralympic competition. His passion for pushing boundaries has seen him take on some of the world's most demanding waves, including surfing giant swells at Nazaré in Portugal despite having only limited vision.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Matt has become a respected executive coach, leadership speaker and advocate for inclusion. He regularly works with organisations to help teams embrace resilience, unlock performance and view challenges from a new perspective. Through community programmes and youth initiatives, he also dedicates significant time to supporting blind and visually impaired Australians.

Career Highlights

• World champion para surfer
• Australian Paralympian and elite cyclist
• Surfed a 55-foot wave at Nazaré, Portugal
• Winner of the 2023 Heavy Water Award at the Surfing Australia Awards
• First para surfer recognised with a major able-bodied surfing award at this level
• Executive coach and motivational speaker working with leading Australian organisations
• Author of the award-winning children's book Surfing in the Dark
• Ambassador for Vision Australia, Invictus Australia and SurfAid
• Chair of Para Surfing Australia
• Executive Director on the Board of Blind Sports and Recreation

Key Speaking Themes

• Resilience and overcoming adversity
• Turning challenges into strengths
• High performance and mindset
• Leadership and personal accountability
• Diversity, inclusion and accessibility
• Confidence, courage and perseverance
• Teamwork and achieving ambitious goals
• Breaking barriers and redefining possibility

What Your Audience Will Gain

Matt helps audiences understand that limitations are often perceptions rather than realities. Through powerful personal stories and practical lessons from elite sport and leadership, he demonstrates how resilience, adaptability and a growth mindset can unlock exceptional outcomes. Audiences leave inspired to challenge assumptions, embrace change and develop the confidence to pursue goals that may once have seemed impossible.

Ideal For

• Leadership and high-performance conferences
• Diversity, equity and inclusion programmes
• Corporate wellbeing and resilience events
• Education and youth leadership conferences
• Sporting and performance-focused organisations
• Community, health and disability sector events

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Matt Formston speak about?
Matt Formston speaks about resilience, overcoming adversity, leadership, mindset, inclusion, high performance and turning challenges into opportunities.

Who is Matt Formston?
Matt Formston is a world champion para surfer, Australian Paralympian, executive coach, author and keynote speaker who lives with less than five percent vision.

What eye condition does Matt Formston have?
Matt was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at the age of five, resulting in severe vision impairment.

What sporting achievements is Matt Formston known for?
Matt is a world champion para surfer, elite cyclist, Paralympian and the recipient of the 2023 Heavy Water Award at the Surfing Australia Awards.

What is Surfing in the Dark?
Surfing in the Dark is Matt Formston's award-winning children's book, created in partnership with Vision Australia and featuring text, illustrations and braille.

Why do organisations book Matt Formston as a keynote speaker?
Organisations engage Matt for his inspiring story, practical leadership lessons and unique perspective on resilience, performance and overcoming obstacles.

How does Matt support the blind and visually impaired community?
Matt runs surfing clinics for blind and visually impaired children and serves in leadership roles with organisations supporting adaptive sport and accessibility.

Is Matt Formston available for keynote speaking engagements?
Yes. Matt Formston is available for conferences, corporate events, leadership programmes and keynote presentations throughout Australia and internationally.

SPORT | MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS

Matt Formston

World champion para surfer, Paralympian and resilience speaker redefining what is possible

Overview

Matt Formston is a world champion para surfer, elite cyclist, Australian Paralympian and inspirational keynote speaker who has spent his life challenging perceptions and breaking barriers. Living with less than five percent vision due to Macular Dystrophy, Matt has built an extraordinary career in sport, leadership and advocacy while inspiring audiences to turn obstacles into opportunities. His story is a powerful example of resilience, determination and finding strength in difference.

Who is Matt Formston?

Diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at just five years old, Matt Formston grew up facing challenges that many believed would limit his opportunities. Supported by a family who focused on possibility rather than limitation, he thrived in mainstream education and competed in sports including Rugby League, Rugby Union and Ice Hockey.

Over time, Matt developed into one of Australia's most accomplished para athletes, achieving success across surfing, cycling and Paralympic competition. His passion for pushing boundaries has seen him take on some of the world's most demanding waves, including surfing giant swells at Nazaré in Portugal despite having only limited vision.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Matt has become a respected executive coach, leadership speaker and advocate for inclusion. He regularly works with organisations to help teams embrace resilience, unlock performance and view challenges from a new perspective. Through community programmes and youth initiatives, he also dedicates significant time to supporting blind and visually impaired Australians.

Career Highlights

• World champion para surfer
• Australian Paralympian and elite cyclist
• Surfed a 55-foot wave at Nazaré, Portugal
• Winner of the 2023 Heavy Water Award at the Surfing Australia Awards
• First para surfer recognised with a major able-bodied surfing award at this level
• Executive coach and motivational speaker working with leading Australian organisations
• Author of the award-winning children's book Surfing in the Dark
• Ambassador for Vision Australia, Invictus Australia and SurfAid
• Chair of Para Surfing Australia
• Executive Director on the Board of Blind Sports and Recreation

Key Speaking Themes

• Resilience and overcoming adversity
• Turning challenges into strengths
• High performance and mindset
• Leadership and personal accountability
• Diversity, inclusion and accessibility
• Confidence, courage and perseverance
• Teamwork and achieving ambitious goals
• Breaking barriers and redefining possibility

What Your Audience Will Gain

Matt helps audiences understand that limitations are often perceptions rather than realities. Through powerful personal stories and practical lessons from elite sport and leadership, he demonstrates how resilience, adaptability and a growth mindset can unlock exceptional outcomes. Audiences leave inspired to challenge assumptions, embrace change and develop the confidence to pursue goals that may once have seemed impossible.

Ideal For

• Leadership and high-performance conferences
• Diversity, equity and inclusion programmes
• Corporate wellbeing and resilience events
• Education and youth leadership conferences
• Sporting and performance-focused organisations
• Community, health and disability sector events

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Matt Formston speak about?
Matt Formston speaks about resilience, overcoming adversity, leadership, mindset, inclusion, high performance and turning challenges into opportunities.

Who is Matt Formston?
Matt Formston is a world champion para surfer, Australian Paralympian, executive coach, author and keynote speaker who lives with less than five percent vision.

What eye condition does Matt Formston have?
Matt was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at the age of five, resulting in severe vision impairment.

What sporting achievements is Matt Formston known for?
Matt is a world champion para surfer, elite cyclist, Paralympian and the recipient of the 2023 Heavy Water Award at the Surfing Australia Awards.

What is Surfing in the Dark?
Surfing in the Dark is Matt Formston's award-winning children's book, created in partnership with Vision Australia and featuring text, illustrations and braille.

Why do organisations book Matt Formston as a keynote speaker?
Organisations engage Matt for his inspiring story, practical leadership lessons and unique perspective on resilience, performance and overcoming obstacles.

How does Matt support the blind and visually impaired community?
Matt runs surfing clinics for blind and visually impaired children and serves in leadership roles with organisations supporting adaptive sport and accessibility.

Is Matt Formston available for keynote speaking engagements?
Yes. Matt Formston is available for conferences, corporate events, leadership programmes and keynote presentations throughout Australia and internationally.