Jochen Schweizer – Adventurer & Entrepreneur

15. September 2024 – Katharina Schlangenotto

Jochen Schweizer: “I am a border crosser.”

Visionary, adventurer and inspirational speaker: Jochen Schweizer is probably the epitome of a modern adventurer and entrepreneur. His intrinsic dynamism is infectious and attractive.

One of the most succinct statements by entrepreneur Jochen Schweizer is: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” This sentence aptly describes his own philosophy of life, which runs through his personal and professional life: He knows courage, innovation, pushing boundaries and dealing with setbacks. He has experienced it himself.

But what exactly makes the 67-year-old Jochen Schweizer so extraordinary? Why is he considered one of THE visionaries and initiators of new ideas?

The question is easy to answer. The Heidelberg-born entrepreneur has not only found a niche, but has also created a whole new industry: The world of experience gifts.

Who thought before him that people would want to book and give away parachute jumps or helicopter flights via an online platform? And even if some did think of it: He did it. That’s one of the reasons why people don’t become successful: They don’t do it.

Before Jochen Schweizer became a successful entrepreneur, he was an extreme sportsman and adventurer himself. In 1997, he set a world record in bungee jumping when he jumped out of a helicopter from a height of 250 meters. These experiences shaped him and flowed directly into his corporate philosophy: Pushing boundaries and never losing heart.

Courage and innovative strength: Jochen Schweizer – the visionary with a clear message.

As an entrepreneur and speaker, Jochen Schweizer often talks about courage. For him, courage not only means taking risks, but also having the courage not to be ashamed of mistakes, but to learn from them and emerge stronger.

He founded his event agency in the early 90s. Despite initial success, he ran into financial difficulties, but it was clear to him that giving up was not an option! Instead, he used this crisis to reinvent himself and develop a completely new business idea.

Today, Jochen Schweizer remembers this time as one of his greatest lessons: “Fear is not the enemy. Fear is the engine that drives you to change things and grow.”

He developed a business idea from a personal need and successfully proved that it pays to believe in your own visions and turn them into reality. As an adrenaline junkie, he wanted to share his passion for extraordinary experiences with others – and so the idea of experience vouchers, which had simply not existed before, was born. This innovation not only revolutionized the event industry, but also cemented his position as a visionary.

Growing beyond borders: “I am a border crosser.”

To this day, Jochen Schweizer loves to push boundaries – both physically and mentally. In his talks, he often talks about his experiences as an adventurer: whether on a motorcycle trip across Africa or bungee jumping off bridges around the world. According to Jochen Schweizer, these experiences have taught him to overcome his fears and surpass himself. “I’m a border crosser,” he says, and encourages his audience to do the same and rise above themselves when the occasion calls for it.

One formative experience, for example, was a kayak expedition through Africa. He had to conquer the raging waters of the Zambezi River. And although this physical challenge pushed him to his physical and mental limits, he persevered. He really had no other choice – and surpassed himself.

“You only get bigger if you make yourself smaller.” Jochen Schweizer

Jochen Schweizer is convinced that growth can only begin when you venture into unknown territory.

Jochen Schweizer privately: “Everyone needs a base to ground themselves.”

Jochen Schweizer has repeatedly emphasized that his family support is an important part of his life and helps him to maintain his balance. In his autobiography “Why people need to be able to fly”, he describes how much he appreciates the value of family. Although he spends a lot of time with his work and lives out his urge for adventure, he needs a solid foundation that keeps him grounded. Whether that is his family or his “framily”, as in his case.

A rousing speaker who inspires and motivates

Jochen Schweizer is often described as someone who motivates people to actively take control of their own lives. In his talks, he not only shares inspiring stories, but also tangible strategies for achieving success in life and business.

One of his most important messages is: “You can build the best company in the world, but if you don’t know why you are doing it, you will fail.” Jochen Schweizer

His ability to speak in a captivating and authentic way makes him one of the most sought-after speakers in Germany and internationally. Christiane Germann, CEO of MyOrganizers, describes him as “a true source of inspiration”. And many listeners praise his ability to get to the heart of complex topics and back them up with personal stories. Jochen Schweizer not only talks about success, he also shows how to achieve it – by taking risks, seeing failure as a learning process and getting up again and again.

Jochen Schweizer as an entrepreneur: a man with a mission.

Jochen Schweizer’s success as an entrepreneur is not only due to his willingness to take risks, but also to his tireless innovative strength. When he set up his experience platform in the 2000s, he created a new way of giving gifts. Today, his company encompasses a wide range of experiences, from classic bungee jumps to gourmet dinners in breathtaking locations. It is this variety of experiences that shows how much Schweizer believes that everyone should have the opportunity to grow beyond their limits.

But Jochen Schweizer is not only successful in the business world. He also invests in the next generation of entrepreneurs by appearing as an investor on the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”. Here he supports innovative start-ups and shares his knowledge of entrepreneurship. His investments reflect his conviction that the courage to change is the key to success.

Jochen Schweizer – adventurer, visionary and inspirational speaker

Jochen Schweizer is more than just a successful entrepreneur. He is a man who knows how to inspire people, be it through his innovative business ideas or his inspiring speeches. His philosophy of life, which is characterized by courage, a willingness to take risks and overcoming boundaries, makes him an exceptional speaker. He effortlessly manages to inspire people and motivate them to take action.

As he himself says: “Life is an adventure that we start anew every day.” Jochen Schweizer

Jochen Schweizer lives and teaches that life is not about being safe and comfortable, but about accepting challenges and growing from them.

Book Jochen Schweizer for speeches and keynotes at The Premium Speakers Agency. Call us or write directly to jochen.schweizer@premium-speakers.com

Jochen Schweizer

Entrepreneur, Bestselling author, TV personality