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Available to book

Maritime leader & resilience expert

Sandy Yawn

Transform leadership and team dynamics with Captain Sandy Yawn, speaker and maritime leadership expert. Sandy works with organizations to develop resilience and overcome barriers, delivering powerful insights from her bestselling book and three decades of yachting industry experience.
Sandy Yawn, Speaker | Superyacht Captain, TV Star
Sandy Yawn

Sandy Yawn

Denver, United States

Typical fee range

$26k–50k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Book Sandy

Denver, United States

Starting from

$26k–50k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Sandy Now

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Sandy Yawn's biography

At a glance

  • Renowned Yacht Captain with over 30 years of experience
  • Author of Be the Storm or Be the Calm on leadership
  • Inspirational Speaker on overcoming obstacles and leadership
Captain Sandy Yawn is a highly experienced and accomplished yacht captain renowned for her captivating stories and exceptional leadership style. Throughout her career, she has encountered various challenges, including encounters with pirates and collaborating with influential individuals, all of which have contributed to shaping her distinctive approach to leadership. Her best-selling book, Be the Storm or Be the Calm, provides engaging and insightful guidance on becoming a better leader in both personal and professional life. With over three decades of experience in the yachting industry, Captain Sandy is widely respected within her field. She is available for bookings as a celebrity speaker for private events, public speaking engagements, and virtual appearances worldwide. Despite operating in a male-dominated industry, Captain Sandy's bravery and resilience shine through, making her an ideal keynote speaker for events related to boating, perseverance, women in leadership, travel, and ocean life. Audiences describe her public speaking style as courageous and inspiring, as she imparts valuable advice on breaking barriers and never succumbing to defeat. Captain Sandy's speech topics encompass a range of leadership lessons, overcoming obstacles, and the significance of teamwork. Her extensive experience in the maritime industry has instilled in her timeless leadership principles, such as inspiring and empowering one's team. Despite the challenges she has faced, Captain Sandy approaches her work with unwavering determination, encapsulated by her mantra, "Wake up, Show up, Kick Ass, Repeat!" Her journey of triumphing over addiction and cancer to achieve success in a male-dominated field serves as both an inspiring and entertaining narrative. Captain Sandy delves into the unique leadership and teamwork challenges she encounters in her role, where her crew changes weekly. She shares valuable lessons from her extensive yachting experience, from the inception of a voyage to its final destination. Captain Sandy's works, including her book Be the Calm or Be the Storm, provide invaluable insights into leadership from a woman at the helm.

Topics, sessions and talks

Be The Calm Or Be The Storm
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.
Port Of Call: Teamwork Lessons From The High Seas
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.
Navigating Troubled Waters In Changing Times
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.
Charting Your Own Course
Leadership, diversity, overcoming obstacles: hear top leadership lessons from Captain Sandy of Bravo’s Below Deck.

Why we recommend booking Sandy

Sandy brings over three decades of unparalleled maritime leadership experience, offering your team unique insights into overcoming adversity and fostering resilience. Her captivating stories and proven leadership strategies will inspire and empower your team to break barriers and excel in challenging environments. Booking Sandy as a speaker guarantees an engaging and transformative experience that will leave a lasting impact on your team's approach to leadership and teamwork.

Featured Projects

Sandy Yawn - Be The Calm Or Be The Storm: Leadership Lessons From A Woman At The Helm book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Sandy Yawn for my next event?

What is Sandy Yawn's speaking style like?

Sandy Yawn draws on first-person accounts from her yachting career — including encounters with pirates and working alongside high-profile individuals — to illustrate leadership principles, structuring her talk around the arc of a voyage from departure to destination.

What topics does Sandy Yawn specialise in?

Sandy Yawn's sessions cover leadership under pressure, teamwork dynamics, and navigating adversity and change. She brings over 30 years of experience as a professional yacht captain and is the author of Be The Calm Or Be The Storm, a bestselling book on leadership.

What information do I need to provide to book a speaker?

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Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

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Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.

I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

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Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.