Kia ora and welcome!!

So, welcome to a sneaky page I’ve hidden from the rest of the world (for now). It’s just you and me, and I’ve done this to give you bit of a preview of what I’m embarking on as a Conference Speaker and keen cyclist and everyday adventurer over the next few months🤘

I reckon this is a bold new approach to conference speaking, which I’m hopeful you’ll be excited about too - one that goes far beyond the traditional “fly in, speak, fly out” model that most of us speakers cash-in on.

I’m calling this ‘Pedaling on Purpose’
being that I’ll be pedaling with purpose, for purpose and on purpose to the conferences and events
I’ll be speaking at for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.

Along with biking several hundred kilometers to each event, I’ll be freedom camping along the way, and arriving at your event (😉) with fresh stories, unique perspectives, and an energy that only comes from an immersive journey - all for the benefit of sharing new learning and experiences with your audience.

So, I am inviting you to offer your prospective delegates and attendees a keynote experience unlike any other - one that begins before I even step (or ride) on stage. Let me explain ………

What Sets My Approach Apart?

Why am I doing this and what about Antarctica, Mt Everest or the Sahara????

As for the feats of superhuman prowess ……. it’s super admirable that people tackle the world’s highest peaks and deepest oceans. I love and respect that. Yet, I’ve found people come up to me at conferences and share how much they love and appreciate my ‘realness’ - I tell it like it is while not taking myself too seriously. I’ve had my share of life ‘hiccups’, but who hasn’t these days?! I’m told my approach is more relevant, practical and accessible than the speakers who climb the highest peaks once in their lives. I’m not trying to disrespect those people - simply offer an alternative, which I’m told is more within reach by audience members who take the time to chat during conference breaks. They can see themselves putting my messages into action than swimming a lap of Antarctica in speedos ….. as impressive as that is!

I’ve done my fair share of endurance events - Ironman triathlons, Ultra-marathons and competitive road cycling - but I’ve never won anything memorable. I simply keep pressing on. Pedaling on Purpose I guess, because it really is the experience of the everyday journey that matters to me - battling everyday weather, constant traffic, and the prospect of a long straight highway …. which means, there’s not really a finish line. Your event, in partnership with me and my approach, can be the beginning of a whole lot of people’s journey or simply a bloody meaningful fork in the road. Let’s give them that opportunity, together. 😎

Hang on, who am I?

Oh yeah, I may have jumped the gun a little. You’ll find my standard ‘About Me’ page here. In the context of the rant above, here’s a little more:

I’m Callum McKirdy a dynamic conference speaker, author, and facilitator renowned for my expertise in workplace culture, belonging, and harnessing the power of difference within teams. I’ve been speaking at conferences for a dozen years or so, predominantly using my 25 years of experience in HR, leadership development, and organisational behaviour. I’m really proud of my work as it’s grounded in both professional depth and personal authenticity. I’m proudly neurodivergent - ADHD, dyscalculia and dyslexia run my world - which gives me a somewhat unique lens on the challenges and opportunities of those with hidden diversity in both the ‘world of work’ and the world in general. Oh, I’m also a solo gay dad of two teenage girls, so yeah – I’ve got some stories!

My professional passion lies in helping teams and leaders build radically authentic workplaces that embrace the unique minds, traits and personalities already present. I believe that innovation and engagement flourish when people feel safe to show up as their true selves, rather than hiding aspects of who they are – often the parts of themselves they hold most dear but struggle to explain. My approach is shaped by my own journey of learning to value my differences, fears, guilt, shame and gifts, and encouraging others to do the same.

On the other hand, my personal passions are found on the roads and trails wherever I happen to be. A competitive cyclist and endurance athlete since my teens (way back in the 90s), I bring the same energy and curiosity to my professional life as I do to my personal adventures. I’m known for my ability to connect seemingly random ideas, ask insightful questions, and read the dynamics of a room - skills I include in my keynote delivery.

Some of my credibility stems from a career that spans senior HR roles in the public, private and NfP sectors, consulting with Deloitte, and founding my own leadership development practice 12 years ago. I’ve worked with organisations across New Zealand, Australia, the UK and beyond, helping them reimagine what’s possible when difference is not just accepted but harnessed and celebrated.

With all that being said, my new approach - cycling to conferences and weaving the journey’s lessons into my presentations - perfectly aligns with my ethos of authenticity, resilience, and playfulness. By arriving differently and sharing stories from the road, I try to model the everyday courage and openness I encourage in others in the hope that my presence at any event can be a catalyst for genuine engagement and lasting impact.

In Summary I’m offering you and your event:

• A keynote that’s a journey, not just a speech — engaging, immersive, and unforgettable

• Ongoing social media and promotional content

• Inspiration around purpose, wellbeing, and sustainability

• Unique networking and team connection opportunities

• Positive PR and event differentiation

• Customised, story-driven content with lasting impact

Next Steps

Booking me and my “Pedaling on Purpose” approach means your event gets a keynote that’s lived, not just delivered — creating buzz, engagement, and inspiration that lasts long after the closing remarks.

Let’s discuss how my approach can be tailored to your conference’s themes and audience. Together, we can create a keynote experience that starts before the event, resonates long after, and sets your conference apart as a leader in audience experience, engagement, and impact. I reckon that sounds ace!

Contact Me:
Callum McKirdy
021 880 162
callum@callummckirdy.com

Feel free to browse through some FAQs I’ve already had to answer as I embark on this little ol’ quest. I’ll add to these as they get asked.

Thanks for reading & watching this far.
Take care and (hopefully) talk soon