Available to book from POA. For an accurate quote please make an enquiry.
Are you looking for a speaker who can energize, inspire, and transform your audience? Meet Helena Calitz, internationally known as The Big 5 Speaker – a dynamic motivational speaker, entrepreneur, empowerment advocate, and CEO.
Helena is celebrated for helping people discover their own Big 5 qualities – courage, resilience, strength, focus, and leadership – the same traits embodied by Africa’s most iconic animals: the Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo.
With over 15 years of experience in motivational speaking, workshops, and seminars, Helena has captivated audiences across the globe – from America, China, Spain, Italy, Romania, Kurdistan, Namibia, South Africa, and beyond. She speaks both English and Afrikaans and has experience working with translators, making her an ideal choice for international events.
💡 What makes Helena unique?
Helena doesn’t just talk about success – she has lived it. From overcoming boycotts, threats, and personal tragedy (including the loss of her brother during COVID-19) to building multiple successful businesses, she shares raw, authentic lessons on perseverance, leadership, and self-belief.
🎤 Signature Topics Include:
The Big 5 of Leadership & Resilience
Turning Setbacks Into Success Stories
Overcoming Adversity
Purpose-Driven Success
Building Confidence & Self-Worth
Mindset Shifts: From Limitation to Possibility
Leadership, Influence & Mental Strength
Entrepreneurship & Growth
🌟 Why book Helena?
Authentic, relatable, and powerful storytelling
A proven entrepreneur and CEO with real-world business insight
Engages audiences with humor, energy, and practical takeaways
Experience with both corporate and lifestyle audiences worldwide
Tailors every keynote to your event’s needs
Professional, versatile, and passport-ready for international bookings
📌 Ideal for:
Corporate conferences & leadership retreats
Women empowerment events
Entrepreneur summits
Wellness & lifestyle expos
Motivation and inspiration sessions
✨ Testimonials from around the world:
“Helena’s energy and storytelling captivated everyone from start to finish.” – Luca Bianchi, Rome, Italy
“Her message of perseverance and self-belief resonated deeply with our staff.” – Liang Wei, Beijing, China
“Authentic, heartfelt, and full of practical advice.” – Thabo Mokoena, Johannesburg, South Africa
= free travel (up to 10 miles)
I am flexible and easy-going, provided that nothing interferes with my presentation or professionalism. As long as the sound is clear and I can be heard properly, I am comfortable. I simply require advance information about the venue setup so that I can prepare accordingly.
To prepare effectively, could you please confirm the following:
Audio-Visual: Projector or TV screen available? Can it play sound for short videos?
Sound: Is there a PA system? What type of microphone is provided (lapel, handheld wireless/wired, headset)?
Stage/Podium: Is there a podium? Is there a plug point nearby?
Venue Details: Size of the venue, seating layout, and expected number and rough ages of attendees.
Technical Support: Will an AV technician be available for setup/sound check?
Access: Time available for setup/rehearsal before the event. Can i view the venue the day prior to the event?
No
No
One of the highlights of my career was delivering a keynote at the Shanghai International Convention Center, China, where I spoke to an international audience on resilience, leadership, and overcoming adversity. Even with translation, my passion and authenticity resonated deeply, leaving the audience energized and inspired to take action. Speaking in one of the world’s most influential capitals remains a defining moment in my journey as a global motivational speaker.
My favorite events are high-energy, inspiring gatherings where I can really connect with the audience. I love sharing my personal journey—my struggles, my failures, and my triumphs—to motivate and empower people. I thrive at professional, large-scale events where I can engage with the crowd, involve them in activities, and leave them feeling inspired and ready to take action
I started my journey into motivational speaking after experiencing both personal and professional challenges that tested my resilience. I went through business failures, was boycotted in my industry, and faced moments of deep struggle—crying at night but refusing to give up. Over time, I learned how to turn setbacks into lessons, and I realized that my story could inspire others to persevere through their own challenges.
My previous experience includes organizing and running successful large-scale events, as well as fitness and bodybuilding competitions, and engaging with diverse audiences both nationally and internationally. I’ve spoken at professional conferences, corporate events, and empowerment seminars, sharing practical strategies, personal insights, and interactive exercises that motivate people to take action in their lives and careers.
There are a few speakers I really look up to because of how they inspire and move people. Les Brown’s energy and his message of never giving up really resonates with me—I love his speech, ‘It’s Not Over Until You Win.’ I also admire Mel Robbins for her practical, no-nonsense advice, especially her ‘5 Second Rule’ talk, which reminds me how important it is to take action even when you feel fear. I’m inspired by Lisa Nichols too, for her heartfelt storytelling and her ability to connect with people on a deep emotional level. And of course, Eric Thomas—his intensity and passion, especially in ‘When You Want to Succeed as Bad as You Want to Breathe,’ really gets me fired up. These speakers remind me why I do what I do: to motivate people, share my story, and help them push past their own limits
I usually like to visit the venue and meet the organizers a day before the event so I can get a feel for the space and go over the schedule. I use a microphone with a PA system, and often include short videos or slides via a projector or TV screen. I also make sure there’s space for interactive activities and audience participation. My speech usually runs 45–60 minutes, but I can adapt to shorter keynotes if needed, and I allow 5–10 minutes for Q&A at the end. I like to stay for the entire day so anyone who has questions or wants to speak to me after the event has the opportunity to do so.
I’m happy to perform outdoors as well—I love engaging with audiences in open spaces, and as long as I can be heard clearly, I can bring the same energy and connection as I do indoors
I’m a very versatile speaker and can adapt to any topic required, tailoring my message to fit the audience and the goals of the event
Clients often tell me that my speeches are inspiring, motivating, and even a little funny—I like to make people laugh while they learn. They say my talks are engaging and interactive, keeping the audience involved from start to finish. Many appreciate that I’m authentic and relatable, sharing real-life struggles and triumphs, while also giving practical advice they can actually use. They also note that I’m energetic and dynamic, and that I can adapt my message to suit any audience or event, making each presentation unique and impactful
Romania
- Compassionate Inquiry Conference – An event in Bucharest focusing on therapeutic practices and personal development.
- Female Empowerment Summit – A gathering in Bucharest celebrating women's achievements and discussing empowerment strategies.
- Inspirational Talk Series – A series of talks in Bucharest addressing accessibility and inclusion in the workplace.
Lithuania
- HR Week Lithuania 2024 – A conference in Vilnius focusing on HR leadership, resilience, and psychological safety.
- Build Stuff 2024 – A software development conference in Vilnius bringing together world-class speakers to share the latest developments and trends.
- PyCon Lithuania 2024 – A conference in Vilnius focusing on data, web, and Python programming.
Spain
- Agile Spain Conference 2024 – An event in Spain bringing together agility experts to share knowledge and experiences.
- Professional Speakers Association of Spain Barcelona Convention 2024 – A convention in Barcelona featuring dynamic speakers and thought leaders.
South Africa
- Muscle Evolution Expo – National fitness and bodybuilding expo, where you delivered motivational talks to athletes and industry professionals.
- PSASA Midterm Convention 2024 – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa event focused on humor and motivational speaking.
- AI Expo Africa 2025 – Africa’s largest AI and Intelligent Automation trade show, speaking on personal development and mindset for innovation.
- TEDx CapeTown – A TEDx platform in Cape Town, sharing your personal story and empowerment strategies.
- Women in Leadership Summit 2024 – A corporate and empowerment-focused event targeting women leaders and entrepreneurs across industries.
- Utrecht Museum - Women's Day Event
Some venues include:
South Africa
- Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
- Emperors Palace, Johannesburg
- CTICC, Cape Town
- Women in Leadership Summit Venues, Johannesburg
- Utrecht Museum
Romania
- Palace Hall, Bucharest
- Bucharest Business Center, Bucharest
Lithuania
- Radisson Blu Hotel Conference Center, Vilnius
- Vilnius Congress Center, Vilnius
Spain
- Barcelona Convention Center, Barcelona
- Madrid Conference Halls, Madrid
Italy
- Rome Convention Center, Rome
- Milan Conference Halls, Milan
Kurdistan (Iraq)
- Sulaimani Forum Venues, Sulaimani
Wedding
Birthday Party
Private Event
Corporate Event
Hotel / Restaurant Event
Bar / Venue Event
Funeral / Memorial
Wedding Proposal
Concert
Religious Event
Recording Session
Cruise
Virtual Event
Charity Event
Theatre Show
Burns Night
Christmas Party
New Year's Eve
Will travel internationally