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Sam Bloom

  • Inspiration Behind Netflix Hit Movie 'Penguin Bloom'
  • Bestselling Author, 'Sam Bloom: Heartache and Birdsong'
  • Two-Time World Para Surfing Champion
  • Australian Female Para Surfer of the Year, Surfing Australia Awards

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Sam Bloom is a two-time World Para Surfing champion, global keynote speaker, bestselling author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office and international global Netflix hit movie Penguin Bloom starring Naomi Watts as Sam.

The movie is adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family. Published in 13 languages, Penguin Bloom is a collaboration between Sam’s husband Cameron, a professional photographer, and New York Times bestselling author Bradley Trevor Greive. A second book, Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong, picks up the story where Penguin Bloom ended, and shares Sam’s personal perspective on facing and overcoming adversity.

Jarring, beautiful, and real, Sam’s presentations are unlike anything your audience has seen or heard before. A refreshingly honest and deeply engaging speaker, Sam takes you on an intimate, visual journey against the backdrop of her husband Cameron’s stunning video and imagery, leaving audiences deeply moved and truly inspired.

Sam shares the extraordinary highs and painful lows of life before, during and after the accident that changed her life forever, leading us on the journey back from the edge of a deep depression that almost claimed her life.

Purposeful and raw, Sam speaks from the heart and delivers her powerful message with clarity and purpose, reminding her audience that we must make the best of the present as we never know what tomorrow will bring.

 

Sam Bloom headshot
Sam Bloom photo 3
Sam Bloom photo 2
Past Hosts Include:
  • SHESummit
  • Australian Institute of Police Management
  • Nurture Her
  • CBRE Group
  • Macquarie Bank
  • Adecco Group
  • Westpac
  • Business Chicks
  • Eisai Global
  • Toyota
Rave Reviews About Sam Bloom
“
We recently had the privilege of having Sam Bloom as a guest speaker at a number of Business Chicks events. Sam impacted our audiences with such humour and realness that we were all moved to tears throughout her presentation, and reminded of the fragility of life and how important it is to be grateful for all we have. Sam brought us back into the moment, encouraging us to keep reaching for our goals no matter the circumstances we’re dealt. Her storytelling and genuineness brought us to our feet for a standing ovation, and I'll forever carry her message with me, as I’m sure all our guests will.

”
More rave reviews

"Sam captivated our audience with her incredible life story, which unfolded against a stunning backdrop of Cam's photography. Though painfully heartbreaking at first, the Bloom story is one of hope, and love and the incredible things you can conquer when you have the right support network around you. We discussed issues including mental & physical wellness, as well as family & carer support - which our audience thoroughly enjoyed and got so much out of. Thank you once again Sam & Cam. Both of you are an absolute inspiration!"

-Edwina Kho, Macquarie Bank

"We are so grateful for Sam Bloom’s presentation, our lives were touched, our emotions were stirred. Sam gives us a reason to get out of bed every day, to remember to be appreciative for what life provides us, and to live for today and not tomorrow. It was such a pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet and listen to Sam. Life changing and something we will never forget."

-Di Channelor, General Manager, CTS Westpac

"We would like to warmly thank and congratulate you and Cameron for what was an absolutely inspirational and heart-warming presentation and a perfect introduction to our Symposium. Everyone we have spoken to were incredibly moved by your story and Cameron’s beautiful pictures. It was truly an honour to be able to hear, in such a real and honest way, this part of your life’s journey and to be reminded that, in the face of adversity, a major key to recovery is family (winged or otherwise)."

-Professor Michael Stawasser, Chair, Princess Alexandra Hospital Health Symposium

"Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story, it was truly inspirational on so many levels. I loved the passion in your partnership with Cam, it shone through the entire presentation. Amazing stuff!"

-Scott Thompson, CEO, Lexus
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Sam Bloom Speaker Reel [1:23] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Sam Bloom
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A true story of hope, courage and a magpie called Penguin

Drawing on her lived experience of a dream life shattered in an instant by a freak accident, Sam speaks to what it means to become truly resilient - to be able to face your deepest fears and greatest challenges, and to emerge on the other side undefeated.  What is resilience? And how can we cultivat ...

Drawing on her lived experience of a dream life shattered in an instant by a freak accident, Sam speaks to what it means to become truly resilient - to be able to face your deepest fears and greatest challenges, and to emerge on the other side undefeated. 

What is resilience? And how can we cultivate it when life doesn’t go to plan? 

Sam answers these questions and more in her visually immersive and deeply personal presentations, sharing her lived experience of a dream life turned to a nightmare in an instant.

Leading us through the extraordinary highs and painful lows of life before, during and after the accident that almost claimed her life, Sam shares her gritty journey back from deep physical suffering and depression to become a bestselling author, 2 x World Para Surfing champion and inspiration behind the international hit movie Penguin Bloom.

Sam’s true story holds powerful messages and perspective for us all as we navigate our own personal and professional challenges in a rapidly changing world.

Who is this for?

  • Executives, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and teams looking to feel inspired and ready to take on the challenges ahead
  • Leaders navigating and managing through change
  • Anyone looking to feel motivated and energized to set and reach their goals

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Books by Sam Bloom
Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong

Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong

Penguin the Magpie: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family

Penguin the Magpie: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family

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Press & Media
The Tiny Bird Who Saved My Life After a Devastating Accident - TIME
Flying higher: a magpie rescued a family. That was just the beginning - Sydney Morning Herald
“Penguin the Magpie” gives back: international bestselling book supports the Reeve Foundation - Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
How Sam Bloom fought paralysis to become a surfing World Champion - RedBull.com
Lessons in life and love - Australian Women's Weekly
The true story behind Penguin Bloom - a 'raw and authentic' representation of disability - SBS News
The True Story Behind Penguin Bloom, Naomi Watts's New Netflix Movie - Oprah Daily
The Real Life Story of How A Wild Bird Saved My Life - People Magazine
Surfing Superstar: 2 time world champ on joy of hitting the beach - The Morning Show (Australia)
How Sam Bloom survived devastating injuries to become world para surfing champion - ABC News Australia
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Ideas for the Meeting Planner
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Biography

A highly sought-after global keynote speaker, Samantha Bloom is a two-time World Para Surfing champion, bestselling author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office and international global Netflix hit movie Penguin Bloom starring Naomi Watts as Sam.

The movie is adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family. Published in 13 languages, Penguin Bloom is a collaboration between Sam’s husband Cameron, a professional photographer, and New York Times bestselling author Bradley Trevor Greive. The book won the 2017 Illustrated Book of the Year in Australia. A second book, Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong, picks up the story where Penguin Bloom ended, and shares Sam’s personal perspective on facing and overcoming adversity.

Paralyzed in an accident in Thailand in 2013, Sam has since won two Oceania KL1 paracanoe championships, and is the Australian and two times World Para surfing champion. Sam works with numerous spinal cord injury charities around the world and is a global ambassador for Wings For Life. She is an adventure traveler, neurology nurse and mother of three boys.

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