Psychologist, bestselling author and master of resilience

Overview

Dr Paul Wood is one of New Zealand's most powerful and original keynote speakers — a psychologist, bestselling author and the first person in NZ history to complete undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees while in prison. His story is genuinely remarkable, and the practical tools he draws from it have made him a trusted voice for elite performers, the NZ Police, the NZSAS and global organisations including Google, Nike and the Obama Foundation.

Who is Dr Paul Wood? At 18, in the aftermath of his mother's death and his own descent into drug dependency, Paul killed a drug dealer who attempted to sexually assault him. He was convicted of murder and served 11 years in some of NZ's toughest prisons, including time in Paremoremo and almost a year in solitary confinement. Inside, he completed undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology with Massey University and began his PhD, which he completed in 2011. He now lives in Wellington with his wife and family, and runs leadership and coaching consultancy Switch Coaching and Consulting.

Career Highlights • PhD in differential psychology, Massey University (2011) • First New Zealander to complete undergraduate and master's degrees while incarcerated • Bestselling author of How to Escape from Prison and Mental Fitness • TEDxAuckland speaker • Keynotes for Google, Nike, Converse, Sony PlayStation and the Obama Foundation • Works with the NZ Police, NZSAS Advanced Police Negotiation Team and senior leadership teams

Key Speaking Themes • Mental fitness and resilience • Transformation, growth and behavioural change • Performing under pressure and embracing discomfort • Leadership and self-awareness • Goal setting versus dreaming

What Your Audience Will Gain Paul is brilliant, brave and unforgettable. Audiences leave with a different relationship to discomfort and stress, practical tools for resilience, and a powerful reminder that almost no circumstance defines what's still possible.

Ideal For • Leadership and CEO conferences • Wellbeing, EAP and mental health events • Sales kick-offs and corporate offsites • Government, defence and frontline forums • Awards nights and gala dinners

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Dr Paul Wood speak about? Mental fitness, resilience, transformation, leadership and performing under pressure — drawn from a remarkable life story and a PhD in psychology.

What is Dr Paul Wood's background? He served 11 years in NZ prisons for murder, during which he completed undergraduate, master's and doctoral psychology study. He is now a leadership consultant, bestselling author and global keynote speaker.

What books has Dr Paul Wood written? How to Escape from Prison (his autobiography) and Mental Fitness (a practical guide to resilience).

Who has Dr Paul Wood worked with? Clients include Google, Nike, Converse, Sony PlayStation, the Obama Foundation, the NZ Police and the NZSAS.

What is Switch Coaching and Consulting? The consultancy Paul founded to help senior leaders and organisations build performance, resilience and capability across the private and public sectors.
Is Dr Paul Wood available for keynotes worldwide? Yes. Paul speaks internationally and is one of NZ's most in-demand keynote speakers on resilience and transformation.