My good friend, Peter Bland is The Ice Man. He is the first Australian to reach the North Magnetic Pole in 1998 and the first to venture both to the north and south magnetic poles. His courage and abundance mentality has brought him through conditions and aversity that lesser men would have folded under. In 1996, he navigated a team to the South Magnetic Pole. In 2000, he was honored to raise the Australian flag of Sir Douglas Mawson on the North Magnetic Pole, that was raised by Sir Douglas himself on the South Pole nearly 100 years earlier.
What Makes Peter Bland Remarkable?
Peter Bland was born with a hole in his heart. At the age of 8, he survived open heart surgery. His trek to the North Pole was undertaken only 12 months after his 2nd major bout of open heart surgery. In order to get funds to go to the north pole, “Blandy” got a sponsorship from an underwear company: Mitch Dowd Boxer Shorts. Check out this funny video, filmed on the Magnetic North Pole.
Disaster On The Antarctic Peninsula
With the North Pole behind him, Peter was ready for his next adventure. Peter Bland and his friend, Jay Watson, set out to cross the Antarctic peninsula, unsupported. On the very last day of the journey, Peter Bland was swept away by an avalanche, into a crevasse. Falling the equivalent of 14 stories, Peter suffered massive injuries. For 3 days, Jay Watson lay on top of Peter to keep him warm and alive until rescuers arrived. Thanks to his friends persistence, Peter is still alive today.
Remarkable Facts About Peter Bland
These are some remarkable facts that come to mind about my mate: “Blandy”
- Peter Bland has successfully raised over $14 Million dollars for charity
- He has produced 2 television documentaries
- He is the first Australian to the North Magnetic Pole
- He has survived 2 major bouts of open heart surgery and carried on as normal
- Peter founded Adventure Odyssey, where he takes people to Antarctica on lifetime adventures with his thrillionaire mate: Nik Halik
- Peter is now a successful public speaker, motivating people with stories of his adventures.
The Ice Man Meets His Nemesis: Whiskey The Ram
A few months ago, Peter Bland repaid a favor to me by doing a 1,5 hour presentation of his motivational adventures to my sons grade 5 class. They had a ball. Here is a video with Peter, filmed on my property in Western Australia from that very same weekend. He’s trying to hold off my Ram, Whiskey, while delivering a motivational message.
To quote his motivational saying:
If we want, what we want
then we have to be prepared to do, today
what others won’t
so we will have tomorrow
what others don’t - Peter Bland
Next time, I will post the blooper of the above video, titled: “Peter Bland and Frisky Whiskey”
Have a most outstanding day
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 – 2008
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Peter is a top guy with an adventurous spirit and a great sense of humour! I have seen Peter speak about 4 times re-telling his adventures at various wealth creation seminars, and I have to say, there is only one Blandy! He has an uncanny knack of knowing exactly what it is that you are after and when speaking with him, it’s like you have known him forever. I have just started reading his book and look forward to learning more about him.
The video of him on your farm has a great message and Whiskey certainly tries to steal the show. Nice one Sean!
He sure is, Ange. Peter sure is up against it with Whiskey. I have a nice blooper of that one coming up
Might call it : Bland Whiskey
Peter Bland
what an inspiration this man is,
Happy Easter Sean
Galvo
Hi Galvo. Yes, Peter Bland has motivated many people. Happy Easter to you too.
This is a very inspirational story. Thanks for sharing it. I found it especially endearing because my elder sister died at age 6 of a similar hole in her heart problem. Peter Bland has survived health issues, reminding us we can each defy odds and shape a positive attitude to motivate others. This is the sort of person whose life gives discouraged people hope. Its nice to hear he exerts effort to raise so much money for charity. We can each do different things to benefit the world. This post encourages us all to take steps to do our part.
What a great guy , with a message I can relate to. Thanks for introducing him Sean , what books does he have or what is his website ? Ange say,s she has started reading his book , I would love to get this book any help appreciated.
Hi Allen.
Peter Bland has a book called: “One Step Too Far”. Peters website is http://www.peterbland.com. I linked to it in the post.
I’ll find the book and link to it in a future post to make it more accessible for everyone.
Hi Liara.
Peter Bland sure is an inspiration and a great example of someone that simply does not take no for an answer. Very inspirational indeed.
Great bloke and tells a very heartening story very interesting.
‘He can teach anybody what he knows but it’s hard to find out what we want….’ awesome Sean, it’s a wake up call, thanks for sharing!
Hi,
My name’s Ebony. I wonder how you survived falling down that hole. I would love you to come talk to us at Navarre Primary School.
From Ebony.
Jay Watson (another explorer & school friend) climbed down the hole and saved his life.
Peter is a great uncle to have, i am happy to call him my uncle
I have known “Blandy” (aka Two Boots) for over 25 years and he has been an inspiration to me since we first meet at school. Even though a lot of kids made fun of Blandy at school for his lack of skill on the sporting field, I always though he was fantastic as he always gave 100% effort and got the maximum out of his abilities. I was of similar ‘awkwardness’ when it cam to ball games, but with Blandy’s inspiration I managed to make the 1st rugby team and make life long friends (Ben Heath …).
Since those school days I have drawn upon Blandys continuing inspiration, to drive my own life…… thank you Blandy.
Hi Sean,
Peter has an amazing attitude. It is people like Peter who inspire and motivate other people to do the things they think they can’t do. I’m totally blown away by his story. When we think life is really tough for us, we need to remember Peter’s story.
I love the Mark Twain quote. We need to find out what we really want and just go for it and go for it, without letting fear trip us up. Success really is such a simple process when you break it down.
I love your sheep, Sean. Did you use Whiskey as a prop for Peter’s story because he certainly was going for what he wanted and he wasn’t giving up? Also, how cold was it in those boxers?
I find that people like Peter Bland and others who explore on the edge of human experience are incredibly inspirational to learn about. They have a determination and drive which are very impressive, and increasingly rare in the age of modern conveniences. Is it any wonder that they do great deeds and accomplish such great things?
And good on Whiskey for knowing what he wants and pursing that goal with determination! He definitely didn’t take no for an answer.
Tom McEwin´s last blog ..Getting Targeted Internet Traffic and a Hungry Crowd
People like Peter nearly always have a guiding star. I wonder if that applies to him? And how would he stop limiting himself if he divested himself of it?
Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Internet Marketing Why? How?