Steve Fredlund

Guiding people‑pleasers and rule‑followers to reclaim genuine fulfillment, bring renewed energy to life, and make a real impact at work.

Expert on

  • Inspirational
  • Motivation
  • Happiness
  • Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Teambuilding

Fee Range

$5,000–$10,000

Travels from

MN, US

Biography

Steve Fredlund is an Inspirational Speaker & Breakthrough Strategist who spent 25 years as an award‑winning actuary and nonprofit founder, before swapping spreadsheets for a microphone. While leading a trip to Rwanda, he discovered that true breakthrough doesn’t come from doing everything “right”—it comes from having the courage to do The Unright Thing™. That revelation inspired him to study what drives extraordinary change and build his three‑step Safari Way Roadmap.

Today, Steve helps people‑pleasers and right‑doers break free from the “good” and “fine” to reach their extraordinary—guiding audiences through vivid African safari stories, laugh‑out‑loud moments, and practical, actionable strategies. He is the bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser and a two‑time TEDx speaker. Known for simplifying complex challenges into a clear, step‑by‑step process, Steve equips individuals, teams, and organizations to reconnect with their authentic selves, reignite passion, and bring renewed energy and impact to both work and life.

When he’s not inspiring others on stage, you might find Steve playing disc golf, calculating odds at a poker table, or enduring (and wincing) through another season of Minnesota sports.

Speaker Videos

The Safari Way: Your Path to Extraordinary Fulfillment

Summary: This 30-90 minute keynote is ideal for general audiences (leaders and non-leaders) who need a boost to become more fulfilled in life and more engaged at work. Fits well for motivational, personal development, engagement, and burnout topics.

Description: Sometimes everything in our life and work seems fine, on paper, but internally we feel discontent and unfulfilled; we are longing for something more.  We work hard, doing everything right, believing that this will lead to extraordinary happiness and success. Instead, the status quo continues. Because everything is good, it feels like we shouldn’t be discontent, so we continue forward doing things the way we have always done them, pushing down or unhappiness and pretending everything is okay. 

Whether you’re feeling stuck, longing for a breakthrough, or craving fresh inspiration, this keynote blends storytelling, humor, and practical tools from Steve’s proprietary breakthrough framework to guide you to lasting fulfillment. Learn how to break free from comfort zones, adopt new mindsets, and pursue the vision of YOUR extraordinary —a meaningful life and fulfilling work.

The Unright Thing™: Catalyst to Extraordinary

Summary: A high-energy keynote that reveals why doing everything “right” isn’t enough—and shows how one bold, unconventional step can shatter complacency and launch lasting breakthrough. This can be modified for different length keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, or extended trainings.

Description: You’ve done everything ‘right.’ Your life looks ‘good’ on paper. So why do you still feel that quiet ache—that sense that something essential is missing? If doing everything right hasn’t brought fulfillment, it may be time to try The Unright Thing™.

In this keynote, Steve Fredlund reveals how doing The Unright Thing™ can shatter complacency and spark true breakthrough. Through vivid African safari stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and practical tools from his Safari Way Roadmap, you’ll learn how to clarify what “extraordinary” means for you, surround yourself with the right champions, and take that one bold action that moves you beyond “fine.” By aligning your actions with your deepest passions, you’ll transform everyday routines into deliberate steps toward a life and work filled with meaning, energy, and impact.

Key Takeaways

  1. Recognize the “Quiet Ache”: Learn why doing everything “right” and building a “good” life can still leave you feeling restless—so you can identify hidden discontent in yourself and your team.
  2. Choose Your Experience: Discover why it’s so difficult to define the experience you truly want—and how to overcome those obstacles so you can clarify what “extraordinary” means for you.
  3. Get the Right Peeps in the Jeep: Understand how to surround yourself with trusted allies—champions who challenge, support, and encourage you on your journey toward breakthrough.
  4. Do The Unright Thing™: Gain tools to identify and courageously take that one bold action that breaks the Ordinary Cycle—helping you move beyond default behaviors and spark real transformation.
  5. Reclaim Your Aliveness: Walk away with a simple plan to reconnect with your authentic self and rediscover the joy you’ve been missing—naturally bringing renewed energy to every area of your life and work.