Doug Fine: Author, Journalist, Adventurer, Goat-Herder

Back in 2004, following the 31-stop Not Really An Alaskan Mountain Man tour, I realized that the message in the book was empowering to audiences. I started getting booked to speak to corporations, non-profits, universities, conventions and secondary schools worldwide on the topics below. I found I really enjoy presenting on these timeliest themes on the planet. Venues at which I’ve done events include the National Geographic Society, the University of California and Merrill Lynch Asia. These are no sedate book readings. They are funny, informative and timely multimedia events, both motivating and adventurously funny, perfect for a keynote, a retreat, or an educational (but entertaining) seminar. Here are my three main topics, which can be tailored to any group’s needs. To discuss a booking, shoot me an email.

Living Locally and Reducing Fossil Fuel Use While Still Living Like An American:

There is hardly a more timely topic than this one in an era of high energy prices and concern about climate change. With self-deprecating humor (what choice do I have?) I weave a presentation that surrounds my Random House book, Farewell, My Subaru. We’ll look at my attempts at installing solar energy, trying to grow and raise my own food (goats, chickens and vegetables), and figuring out ways to run an automobile on vegetable oil. I’ll raise the question of, “could we survive if all the stores went away?” This always gets audiences thinking. Without scaring audiences or making people feel guilty, the audience comes away realizing that reducing carbon footprint for an individual or group can be done one step at a time, and without sacrificing the comforts we’ve all become used to.

Extreme Rural Alaskan Survival: Moving to the Remote Wilderness and Surviving on Salmon Without Humiliating Myself Too Badly:

A humorous and educational slide show and talk based around the topic of my first book, Not Really An Alaskan Mountain Man. Audiences hear engaging and wild tales about (and see slides of) my harvesting whale meat with Inupiak Eskimos and hear tales of my getting chased by a polar bear, while learning about the life cycle of the salmon that sustained me when I made my drastic lifestyle change. We’ll also address the culture shock of my decision to move to the Alaska wilderness with no survival skills. I was a suburban guy who couldn’t even change the oil in his car, let alone catch a salmon. Suddenly I was being chased by Arctic carnivores and facing the coldest Alaskan winter in 50 years. The presentation always spurs lots of questions from transfixed audiences of all ages and is supplemented by visual images of the whales, bears, glaciers, eagles and moose that came across my path every day. By its end, the presentation becomes an inspiring story, with the message that if this guy can choose to leave the 21st Century Fast Lane and gather his own food in an extreme environment, anyone can endure any endeavor and come out stronger on the other side. Plus audiences, if desired, can get a colorful biology lesson about the life cycle of the salmon. This part of the talk delves into how eating healthy, local, wild food actually can actually make one happier. It includes a visual and entertaining description of the subsistence salmon-catching process, and my travails in tackling the world of subsistence fishing. This is a popular keynote talk for groups that want a wildly adventurous and humorous break from a serious convention theme, for awards banquets and for anyone group with interest in wildlife, adventure and the natural world.

Personal and Team Empowerment, Reaching Beyond Expectations and Achieving Success Outside of Pre-Conceived Models:

In this talk, I use my many near-death experiences with polar bears, coyotes, and 40 below temperatures to help individuals, organizations and corporate groups motivate to break out of their routines and live a more adventurous life or productive work life by being open to growth. Not everyone has to move to the wilderness, but I encourage people to be open to what their wildest dreams are telling them. Anything is possible for ANYONE. In a witty, down-to-earth style, I give valuable, though humorous and self-depreciating advice to audiences about how to live their best life outside the box. Audiences come away feeling, “If this guy can do it, I can too.” This is a motivational event that leaves people energized, believing in themselves and smiling.

Email Doug to Discuss a Speaking Engagement Booking.