Inspiring stories gathered from around the world.
"I never imagined how personally motivating and heartening it would be to see hundreds of wide eyes staring back at me... hands shooting up with burning questions" - Sacha Dench
About Sacha Dench
Sacha has spoken to audiences from school groups to a president, and recent awards include the 2018 Britannia Trophy for the most meritorious performance in aviation (previously awarded to Sir Richard Branson and the Red Arrows and not won by a woman since 1967), a Woman of the Year 2017 and the Environment Campaign of the Year 2017 among others. She also holds the record for the First Channel Crossing by Paramotor for a woman.
Early Years
Sacha's childhood spanned the big waves and reefs off Sydney, the remote Australian bush, a large manor in Suffolk and villages in France and Switzerland. A tomboy with endless hours to herself in wild places, she developed a passion for wildlife and hatching outrageous plans. She also learnt that she could hold her breath long enough to scare people…
A life aquatic
Bored by (and not great at) organised sports at school, whilst studying her Masters degree in the UK she discovered freediving. Just weeks later she was competing for the UK, and would later lead the Australian freediving team.
Taking to the air
When invited to set up a film unit for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in the UK, Sacha knew she had to get herself and her camera airborne to work in remote areas. But to do that she would need to tackle her debilitating fear of flying head on.
Sacha dealt with that fear, learned to fly, and went on to become the ‘human swan’ migrating over 4,000 miles from arctic Russia – the land of the nomadic reindeer herders – to the UK, dangling 1000s of feet in the air from a piece of fabric, with a propellor on her back. Her mission? To find out why the birds were declining so fast, and generate a wave of support for helping save them from people all along their flyway.
Motivational Speaking
Drawing on tales from the groundbreaking ‘Flight of the Swans’ expedition and other adventures, Sacha takes her audiences on a journey across time and comfort zones and get them thinking, laughing, and challenging their own limits.
”Our mission is ‘creating brighter futures’- the description of your trials and tribulations were impressive, thought provoking and enabled proactive thinking. The adventures you described were brought alive by your story telling, and you were an inspiration to everyone on the day.”
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College
“It was truly inspirational and students and colleagues alike have been stopping me all morning to say how good it was.”
Dr Rebecca Dawber, Wycombe Abbey
“Sacha! Your unique experience and storytelling captivated festival-goers of all ages, from schoolchildren to adults. Your work will inspire many.”
Tereza Gemeranová, Director, IFF Ekotopfilm
