Yossi Ghinsberg

A philosopher of life, Yossi Ghinsberg is a man of passion, fixed resolve and a connector of people. He believes that nothing promotes growth more than an unexpected experience and unconventional thinking. In these times of great challenge and change, his "Power to Survive" message is timely.

Ghinsberg was born and raised in Israel and served three years in the Israeli navy on the Red Sea. During this time, he befriended the Bedouins of the Sinai Desert whose wholesome philosophy and nomadic lifestyle greatly influenced his life's path.

He studied Jewish Philosophy and Business Administration at Tel Aviv University, followed by a comprehensive study of the 'Kabala' in authentic environments. A truth seeker by an inner calling, Ghinsberg continues to study the religions and philosophies of the past and present - including the Ancients, the Classics, Eastern, Contemporary and the Shamanic path.

Ten years after almost losing his life in the Amazon, he returned to the river valley that was the site of his remarkable adventure and made it his home. During this period, he was instrumental in the creation and construction of Chalalan, a model eco-tourism village that inspires the Amazon basin and the world to this day. His work with indigenous Amazon tribes contributed to the creation of the Madidi National Park, the largest biosphere conservation belt in the Amazon.

The next phase of his life was dedicated to the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of opiate addicts throughout the world as Vice President of The Center for Investigation & Treatment of Addiction (CITA). Ghinsberg promoted a new approach to the treatment of opiate addiction, establishing 12 treatment and research centers around the world from Mexico to China. He also founded 'The Alma Libre Foundation' based in Australia, dedicated to assisting opiate addicts in their re-integration to society.

Since that time he has initiated several different business ventures and published two books and two albums of original music. He has been involved in grassroots efforts for reconciliation and healing in the Middle East.

Today he is the founder of a new interior and landscape design label "collecteco" which represents his never ending roaming of the planet, his commitment to ecology, his connection to nature and his respect for indigenous cultures.

Ghinsberg is married to Belinda and father to four children: Mia, Cayam, Nissim, and the recently born baby boy Shalem. They live in Israel, Australia and the USA.

Credentials

• Best Selling Author - Jungle and Laws of the Jungle
• Discovery Documentary entitled "I Shouldn't Be Alive"
• Founder of the new interior and landscape design label "collecteco"
• Founder and Director of EthnoBios S.A., a Bolivian bio-diversity prospecting company
• Founder of Chalalan a model eco-tourism village
• CEO of an Israeli / Arab Reconciliation Festival

Sailing the Seas of Change:
A master storyteller, Yossi's keynote on change is not a lecture but rather a journey, taking audiences far away from their mundane reality and far above their judgmental mind to allow them to have new perspective and reflection. Understanding change; welcoming change; adapting to change; not clinging to the passing experiences; going through changes and adversity while maintaining responsibility and power - all this is possible when understanding and acceptance of change is incorporated into one's life.

The Power To Survive:
After a tragic separation from his friends, one man is lost alone for weeks in the heart of the Amazon with no food or weapons in the midst of the worst rainy season in decades. Through this amazing experience Yossi Ghinsberg penetrates a new level of understanding of life and himself. A master storyteller, Yossi takes his audiences on an emotional experience of inner strength and self-discovery. This keynote presentation is based on Yossi's international bestseller Jungle, now also a documentary by the acclaimed producers of Touching the Void and the Discovery Channel.

The Laws of the Jungle - Jaguars Don't Read Self Help Books:
The only species that has separated and alienated itself from nature is our own. Isolated in that seclusion, we either try to dominate nature or protect ourselves from it. Yossi calls his audience to expand their horizons and see 'the big picture'. Our life has become 'a life in a box'. We forgot that it is our birthright to be and feel a part of our planet and the entire universe we live in.