Introducing Hein Wagner, a blind man with vision
Global Adventurer | Motivational Speaker | Corporate Entertainer | Lover of Life
“Despite being blind since birth, I’ve achieved things others could only dream of – if only because they never dared to dream.” – Hein Wagner
Although I was born blind, my numerous accomplishments speak to my vision. I’ve completed the Absa Cape Epic, as well as the Antarctic Ice Marathon, Two Oceans and New York Marathons. I’ve competed in Ironman, sailed the Cape to Rio Yacht race, and hold the World Blind Land Speed Record at 322.52 km/h. I’ve taken on the white waters of the Zambezi River, climbed the 10 highest mountains in the Western Cape, South Africa, and competed in the World Triathlon Series.
While these physical feats attest to my tenacity, perseverance and sense of adventure – I’ve found my true calling in uplifting others.
I’ve been working full-time as international motivational keynote speaker for the past two decades. I’ve engaged with audiences across the world – from executive leadership groups of 10 to 40 people, to crowds of 15 000 people at global kick-off events and international brand launches.
1st South African to break a World Land Speed Record
Hein broke the World Land Speed Record in September 2005 – reaching a speed of 269km/h in a Maserati Gran Sport.
1st Blind Person to Complete the ABSA Cape Epic
Considered the ‘Tour de France’ of mountain biking, this race covers 707km over 8 days climbing more than 15 000 meters.
Antarctic Marathon: earth's most difficult challenge
I’ve completed the Antarctic Marathon, considered one of the most difficult terrains to traverse.
Sailing the Cape to Rio Yacht race at age 21
I was the first blind South African to sail the Cape To Rio Yacht Race – and I completed this at the age of 21.
Completed the NY and other World Marathons
I’ve run some of the most gruelling marathons across the globe, including the New York Marathon.
Rafted the white waters of the Zambezi river in Africa
Few challenges have been as exhilirating as the Zambezi river – a natural body of water that connects Africans with their environment and each other alike.
World Blind Cricket Cup winner along with the South African inaugural team
Competing in the international blind cricket cup, we beat India during the inaugural Blind Cricket Cup in 1998.
Jumped the highest bungee in the world
Although numerous higher bungee jumps have been constructed across the world, I jumped from the highest one at the time.
Having vision... is not about sight it's about purose
Anything you believe is impossible, is possible; you just have to change the way you look at things. If you do that, the things you look at will change.”
Humbler beginnings…
At the tender age of five, I was sent to a boarding school for the blind, hundreds of kilometres from my home in Durbanville, Cape Town. Though the decision must have been incredibly difficult for my parents, it was terrifying for me – my young mind simply couldn’t understand it at the time.
But you know what they say about hindsight? Looking back, I recognise that this is the best decision my parents could have made in their quest to prepare me for the real world. My first school report is a testimony to my adaptive nature and sense of adventure since youth, stating that I’m, “on a constant journey of discovery”.
The Teenage Years…
My teenage years proved more challenging since the normal challenges of growing up were compounded by a rebellion against the unfairness of life. Why did I have to be born blind?
Getting no answers fuelled a desperation in me that made life difficult for those around me. It took several extreme adventures to make me see the light.
Today, I see my blindness as the greatest gift I could ever have hoped for. The physiological incapacity of blindness inspired me to conceptualise the world around me through a vision that was all my own. In the pursuit of normalcy – of being like others – I incidentally discovered the extraordinary.
Sculpting a career path…
While I started my career as switchboard operator, the rapidly growing technology sector soon inspired me to enter the I.T. industry. Of all the obstacles I’ve faced in life, this was undoubtedly one of the most challenging.
At the time, appointing a blind man in a role that required operating a computer was virtually unheard of (and considered quite preposterous). Despite completing studies in this field, finding a position that actually leveraged my expertise proved quite difficult.
Serving others, serves the self…
My unique experiences and outlook led to numerous invitations to share my story with others. I suppose my full-time career as motivational speaker is a culmination of all that came before.
It’s not merely that others find rapport with me, but that I am mutually invigorated in sharing my journey. There’s a reciprocal dynamic between me and my audience; each person leaves with a new perspective.
The thrill of crossing the finish line, reaching the mountaintop, or breaking a world record is – without a doubt – an exhilarating experience. But the thing that excites me most is using those tales to teach others how to scale their own mountaintops.