Available to book
Transform resilience into performance with Karina Hollekim, speaker and extreme sports pioneer. Karina works with executives and teams to develop mental toughness and overcome adversity, delivering powerful insights backed by her TEDx success and groundbreaking achievements in ski-BASE jumping.


Karina Hollekim is an accomplished keynote speaker, performance consultant, and former professional athlete known for her remarkable journey of resilience and determination. As the first woman in the world to perform a ski-BASE jump, she has pushed the boundaries of extreme sports. Karina's life took a dramatic turn when she suffered a near-fatal skydiving accident, resulting in 25 fractures in her legs and leaving her in a wheelchair with the grim prognosis of never walking again. Despite the challenges, Karina underwent 20 surgeries and demonstrated an extraordinary will to recover, ultimately relearning to walk and returning to skiing.
Her story is not just one of survival but of thriving against the odds, making her an inspiring figure for audiences of all sizes. Her autobiography, "The Wonderful Feeling of Fear," has gained international recognition, and her TEDx talk has captivated thousands, earning her a standing ovation. Karina's expertise extends beyond her personal experiences; she is a certified coach with a background in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Active Commitment Therapy. She has worked with a diverse range of clients, from elite athletes to top business executives, helping them unlock their potential and navigate their own challenges.
Her coaching philosophy centres on the belief that success is a by-product of well-being, a principle she embodies in her own life. Through her engaging presentations, Karina shares her journey of self-discovery and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, regardless of the obstacles that may be encountered. Her authenticity and indomitable spirit resonate deeply with audiences, inspiring them to dream again and take action towards their aspirations. Karina Hollekim's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.
Testimonials
Featured Projects



often considered together

Squash Falconer
High Performance
Growth Mindset
Team Building

Caroline Elliott
Resilience
Decision Making
Effective Leadership

Vicki Anstey
Resilience
High Performance
Adversity
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book Karina Hollekim, email karina.hollekim@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Karina's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
Karina Hollekim draws on her own biography as the structural backbone of her presentations, tracing her path from elite extreme sports athlete to near-fatal accident survivor — 25 fractures, 20 surgeries, a wheelchair — through to full recovery and a return to skiing.
Karina Hollekim speaks on resilience, high performance, and overcoming adversity, drawing on her background in elite sport, recovery, and coaching with Neuro Linguistic Programming and Active Commitment Therapy. She was the first woman in the world to perform a ski-BASE jump and, following a near-fatal skydiving accident that resulted in 25 fractures and a wheelchair prognosis, underwent 20 surgeries to walk and return to skiing.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.