Liezel van der Westhuizen

About

Seasoned and very much in demand, it is fascinating that the towering communication talent, nicknamed ‘The Giraffe’ in The Sunday Times, was “discovered” in a behind-the-scenes gig by a radio station program manager. At the time, Liezel was working at Jacaranda FM, and also making some noise as an Announcer in a local store. Not one to fear anything – especially hard work – this voiceover artist was also successfully multitasking as a proficient Public Relations Manager at Virgin Music.
Beyond being on some of the most listened-to airwaves, Liezel also became a household name after an impressive stint as the presenter of the hit South African music competition show, ‘Idols’. She has captivated audiences the world over for years as a global Emcee, Executive Business, and certified Mental Fitness Coach, Motivational Speaker (specializing in Mental Fitness Communications), as well as being an authority in Personal Branding and doing effective Speaker Training.

Liezel’s passion for education and communication is evident through her acquisition of three degrees which have been invaluable in laying the groundwork for a rewarding and award-winning career.

She has successfully attained degrees in Human Resources Management (BCom), a B. Com Honours, and a Master’s degree in Business Communications. Liezel is also a certified Mindvalley Business Coach as well as a certified Mental Fitness Coach and a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, respectively.

Levelling up on her experience, ‘The Giraffe’ is also adept at Reputation Management that has seen the talent she managed reach new & positive heights, as reflected in her successful work with clients like Lenny Kravitz, Atomic Kitten, and Sara Brightman; Kelis, Backstreet Boys, Mandoza, and Watershed. She has received glowing recommendations as the Public Relations Manager for Virgin Records.

A relaxed smile, incomparable work ethic, and an impeccable style have resulted in Liezel being one of the most sought-after talents, both locally and internationally.

Liezel has successfully hosted more than 3 000 events across South Africa, as well as in popular eventing destinations such as Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Seychelles – all this, since launching her Presenting career in South Africa, ten years ago!
Blue chip clients, sporting franchises, tourism boards, and even thriving financial institutions have carefully picked this towering communications powerhouse to Emcee international conferences and other corporate events, like her recent conference gig in Romania!
‘The Giraffe’s panache and infectious energy are beyond reproach, and events are enhanced by it.
Through her inspirational journey which has led her to tower above the competition, Liezel is still a hot commodity who has, and still is, being invited to do Motivational Talks and deliver Keynote Addresses. She successfully motivates, coaches, and inspires, using topics like:

• Break Through Self-Sabotage: Mental Fitness Strategies for Corporate Excellence

• Unstoppable Resilience: Liezel van der Westhuizen’s Story of Grit and Corporate Success

• Boost Employee Wellness & Team Performance with Laughter Yoga Workshops

• Future-Proof Yourself With Your Personal Brand

With her impactful and consistently relevant Talks and Keynotes, Liezel has successfully positioned her audience to be turbocharged with a positive outlook, actionable intel, and an essential knowledge toolkit, which are instrumental to target & reach an individual’s goals.

With just a mic in her orbit and passion running through her veins, Liezel can inspire people even in fitness and dance situations. She’s a history-maker as the second woman in the world to present a music competition television show called ‘Idols’, and then subsequently becoming a familiar face on the popular reality show in seasons five and six too.
She ‘lights a fire’ to encourage her listeners to try something new, using her daily Fitness and Wellness Feature on KFM94.5fm, Cape Talk & Talk Radio 702 – continually encouraging her listeners to be active and sometimes adventurous!
Away from the microphones and cameras, Liezel also enjoys a variety of sporting challenges and often uses them to give support to various fitness-related community programs, and charitable endeavours.
Liezel was the first person to cycle a bicycle campaigned by social media, during the famed Cape Town Cycle Tour, to raise funds for the local cycling program Velokhaya. In line with her drive for good education for all, she’s been passionately involved with a Cape Town-based nonprofit charity too, which is situated in Khayelitsha. Here she uses a range of holistic, education-based cycling programs, to uplift local children.
Additionally, in 2018 she became the first woman to pilot a visually impaired athlete across the Himalayas on a tandem bicycle to raise funds for Operation Smile and One Sight. The fitness enthusiast went on to also complete the Robben Island SUP crossing on a Stand Up Paddleboard – having competed in the FREEDOM paddle around Robben Island on an S3 surf ski the previous month.
In 2022, she braved the Cape waters to swim from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand (7.5km) in order to raise funds for SEA RESCUE SA, in addition to having completed several other tough sporting events including the infamous Ironman Triathlons, several Dusi Canoe Marathons as well as the Midmar mile.
Yes, she can truly claim a lifetime of outdoor adventures!

Do you want someone experienced, talented, AND beloved to catapult your event, show, business, or brand, to new heights?
This towering personality is the perfect pick!

She is fondly known to friends and fans alike as ‘The Giraffe’, a moniker she has worked into her personal brand, starting with a Business and Personal Brand coaching company called The Giraffe Brand.
What many people may not know, is that the giraffe nickname was originally meant to be an insult. “In 2010, designer Craig Jacobs called me ‘a giraffe’ in his Sunday Times society column when – on this specific occasion – I wore a pair of killer heels, which added a few extra centimeters to my already excessive length,” Liezel explains.
Liezel embraced the Giraffe name instead of letting the insult hurt her. She’s continued to use it to her advantage and now coaches and speaks about how to tower over the competition in various industries. Liezel is a successful Personal Brand Coach and Consultant, and has an empowering company named The Giraffe Brand Academy which gets high-performance clients around the world towering!
With so much going for her, Liezel continues her drive to grab every opportunity that is presented to her, while at the same time, she helps change lives and brings joy to those she meets on her daily path.

Talks

Break Through Self-Sabotage: Mental Fitness Strategies for Corporate Excellence

When you’re not mentally fit, you feel mental stress — anxiety, frustration, or unhappiness — as you handle work and relationship challenges. The bad news is that 80% of people score below the minimum level of mental fitness required for peak performance and happiness. The great news? With recent breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology, you can now improve your mental fitness significantly within 6 weeks of practice.
During this session, you’ll get a sneak peek at what’s standing in your own way of peak performance and happiness and how to begin to move forward.
During this workshop you will gain insight on:
• The 10 most common ways we self-sabotage and which way is yours.
• The neuroscience of happiness & peak performance and 10-second techniques to activate your “right” mind.
• How you generate your own stress, and how you can generate peace of mind instead (even in the midst of great challenges).
• The “Three Gifts Technique” and how to use it to convert failures and setbacks into gifts and opportunities.
• The mental muscle that gives top performers their edge, and how you can grow it with a few minutes of daily practice.

This session is based on the Positive Intelligence work of Shirzad Chamine, a New York Times Best-selling author, Stanford lecturer, and coach to hundreds of CEOs and executive teams.
YOUR ACTION ITEM prior to the session: Take the free 5-minute Saboteur Assessment (results will not be shared) Previous participants have enjoyed discovering which Saboteurs present the greatest internal obstacles to their optimal achievement and well-being. And they are thrilled to learn simple science-based tools to remove these obstacles.

Tower Like a Giraffe: How Personal Branding Elevates Leaders and Organization

In 2010, the Sunday Times published a picture of Liezel van der Westhuizen and her sister, dubbing them the “Giraffe Sisters” due to their towering height. What could have been taken as an insult became the foundation for Liezel’s thriving personal brand and business, the Giraffe Brand Academy. Instead of shrinking from criticism, she embraced her unique attributes and built a personal branding empire that helps leaders stand tall and rise above the competition—just like the giraffe.

In her keynote, Personal Brand: Your Strategic Asset, Liezel shares how building a strong personal brand is essential not only for individuals but for organizations that want to thrive. By encouraging employees to build their personal brands, companies can unlock numerous benefits, from increased loyalty to greater marketplace visibility. Liezel will demonstrate how personal branding empowers both individuals and organizations to stand out in their industry.

This engaging keynote is ideal for personal development and leadership conferences, as well as corporate teams, focusing on how to leverage personal branding for career progression, organizational success, and greater exposure. Attendees will leave empowered with actionable techniques to take control of their careers while boosting their organization’s reputation in the marketplace.

Key Takeaways for Organizations:

1. Boost Employee Engagement and Retention: Employees who are encouraged to develop their personal brand are more likely to stay with the company. A top employee values ongoing mentoring and support for their personal branding initiatives—without this, they may seek opportunities elsewhere.
2. Attract and Retain Top Talent: Employees are more likely to choose and remain loyal to organizations that foster personal growth and development as part of their culture. By integrating personal branding into your marketing game plan, you enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
3. Positive Marketplace Attention: Strong personal brands within your organization boost your company’s reputation in the marketplace. This positive attention can lead to new customer acquisition and deepen loyalty from existing clients.
4. Increased Productivity and Commitment: Employees who are encouraged to fulfill their own goals and aspirations are generally happier, more productive, and committed to the organization. A personal branding strategy can create a more motivated and engaged workforce.
5. Long-term Talent Relationships: Even if top employees decide to move on, your open-minded approach to personal branding means they are more likely to return to consult for your organization in the future. This reduces the need to frequently rehire and ensures that talent remains connected to your brand.
6. Strengthening the Organization’s Reputation: Building strong personal brands among your employees brings lasting benefits, including reduced turnover and a loyal client base. Customers will seek out your organization, and existing clients will stay loyal because they trust the personal and professional credibility of your team.

Benefits of this Approach:

• Increases positive attention for the organization.
• Reduces the need to rehire every 24 to 28 months.
• Attracts new customers while ensuring loyalty from existing clients.

Target Audience: Corporate Teams, Graduates, Managers, Leaders, Talents.

Style: Content-rich, upbeat, interactive, and fun, with a serious message about personal and business growth.

Length: 30 – 60 minutes
•• This keynote can be customized to suit your individual/corporate needs ••

Boost Employee Wellness & Team Performance with Laughter Yoga Workshops

Transform your workplace with a unique approach to wellness and team cohesion through Laughter Yoga. Renowned wellness coach Liezel van der Westhuizen brings a wealth of experience and passion for personal development, stress management, and team building to every session. Laughter Yoga is more than just an activity; it’s a powerful tool that has proven benefits for both individuals and organizations.

Why Laughter Yoga?
In today’s demanding corporate environment, stress management and team synergy are more critical than ever. Companies worldwide are integrating Laughter Yoga into their wellness programs to unlock a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce. With Liezel’s expert guidance, your team can enjoy:

• Improved Employee Wellness: Boost mental well-being and enhance resilience.
• Reduced Absenteeism: Lower stress-related absences and burnout.
• Enhanced Team Dynamics: Improve communication, collaboration, and overall morale.
• Increased Motivation and Engagement: Cultivate creativity and a positive work environment.
• Cost-Effective Wellness Solution: Laughter Yoga is accessible, time-efficient, and impactful.

Workshop Features
Liezel’s Laughter Yoga workshops are designed for inclusivity, requiring no prior experience with yoga or comedy. The sessions combine laughter exercises and simple breathing techniques, fostering a sense of connection and well-being across your team. Participants will experience immediate benefits, including:

• Elevated energy and focus
• Reduced stress and tension
• Enhanced mood and positivity
• Greater team cohesion and empathy

Why Choose Liezel?

As a well-known television and radio presenter with a strong background in fitness, wellness, and corporate coaching, Liezel van der Westhuizen also brings expertise as a certified mental fitness coach. Her unique blend of skills and experience enables her to deliver a holistic, motivating, and engaging experience to your workplace. Liezel’s approach ensures that laughter becomes a powerful catalyst for both personal and professional growth, empowering employees to thrive in today’s fast-paced corporate world.

Book a Workshop Today

Invest in your team’s wellness and success with a Laughter Yoga workshop led by Liezel van der Westhuizen. Embrace the opportunity to enhance your workplace environment with a fun, innovative, and proven method for stress relief and team building.
Contact us today to schedule a workshop and start creating a happier, healthier workplace!

Length: 60 – 120 minutes

•• This keynote can be customized to suit your individual/corporate needs ••

Future-Proof Yourself With Your Personal Brand

This keynote is aimed at business leaders (corporate or entrepreneurial) – as it addresses how they can make their personal brands as relevant in the future, as they are now.

Notably, Liezel will go into how far ahead the recruitment industry is, when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI); and how important it is to ensure you have all the relevant profiles in place (a website, LinkedIn profile, Facebook Business Page) – and that they are well aligned with each other.

Target audience: Graduates, Managers, Leaders, Talents, Senior Executives, Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs.

In this talk, Liezel will cover the following six (6) points.

• How AI is already used in recruitment.
• Which profiles you should ideally have in place.
• How to keep these up to date.
• An explanation of telepathic marketing and other hot topics in AI.
• How important it is to stand out from the “crowd”.
• The danger of shying away from online promotion of your personal brand in these highly competitive times; the opportunities you stand to lose out on.

Style: Content-rich, thought-provoking, allowing for some interaction with an impactful business message about the power of personal branding in cyberspace.

Length: 30 – 60 minutes

•• This keynote can be customized to suit your individual/corporate needs ••

Unstoppable Resilience: Liezel van der Westhuizen's Story of Grit and Corporate Success

Keynote: 45 – 60 minute session

“You’re just a blonde TV presenter; stick to your day job.”

That’s what Liezel van der Westhuizen was told when she set her sights on conquering the Ironman Triathlon—a grueling event that combines a 3.8km sea swim, a 180km cycle, and a 42.2km marathon, all within 17 hours. Rather than letting doubt and criticism stand in her way, Liezel harnessed it to fuel her determination. She crossed that finish line and silenced the skeptics.

Her journey didn’t end there. As she geared up for the Dusi Canoe Marathon, which spans approximately 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) along the Dusi River from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, she faced another obstacle the following year. “Haven’t you learned your lesson?” they questioned her. Her reply was straightforward: “I’m just learning, but I’m not stopping.” This attitude propelled her through remarkable achievements, such as guiding a blind athlete across the Himalayas at 16,500 feet on a tandem bicycle during an inclusive biking expedition from Manali in India to Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable road. The journey from Manali at 6,500 feet to Khardungla at 18,350 feet showcased the strength of human connection and courage. Additionally, she bravely tackled the chilly 11°C waters of the Robben Island Freedom Swim, an extreme 7.5-kilometer (4.7-mile) open water race from Robben Island to Big Bay, Bloubergstrand in Cape Town, South Africa.

Liezel’s message is more than just about athletic endurance. In this keynote, she shares how the same resilience, focus, and mental toughness she built in extreme sports translate directly into the workplace. Her experiences serve as powerful lessons for teams and leaders in how to develop grit, adaptability, and a winning mindset.

Why should this keynote matter for your corporate environment?

• Building Resilience: Liezel demonstrates how to embrace obstacles as opportunities for growth, teaching teams how to bounce back from setbacks with renewed energy and focus.
• Fostering a Growth Mindset: Whether learning to canoe or tackling a new business challenge, Liezel’s story shows how persistence and adaptability lead to success. She inspires employees to break free from self-imposed limits and push beyond their comfort zones.
• Strengthening Leadership: Liezel emphasizes the importance of mental fitness in leadership, showing executives how to build endurance to lead effectively in high-pressure environments.
• Enhancing Teamwork: Her unique experience of guiding a blind athlete across the Himalayas offers powerful insights into trust, collaboration, and achieving a common goal under challenging conditions.

This keynote isn’t just a motivational story—it’s a toolkit for navigating today’s fast-paced, ever-changing corporate world. Liezel equips your team with strategies to enhance mental toughness, foster innovation, and drive performance, making it a must-have experience for organizations looking to inspire and empower their workforce.