Elia Saikaly is an adventure filmmaker, speaker, and high performance coach on a mission to inspire change by empowering others to unlock their potential through storytelling, education, and transformative experiences.
Elia Saikaly’s journey began with a passion for pushing boundaries, transitioning from the rebellious energy of punk rock to extraordinary athletic feats. As a teenager, he broke the deadlift world record in his age and weight class, lifting 525 pounds. This achievement, combined with a disciplined mindset and cold-water immersion training using modified Qi-Gong techniques, set the stage for his success in extreme environments.
Driven by a relentless curiosity, Elia embarked on a path that led him to participate in over 25 world-class expeditions. Among his most notable accomplishments are ten journeys to Mt. Everest and his 2021 expedition to K2, the “Savage Mountain.” As the only Canadian to summit Everest five times, Elia’s achievements reflect not only physical resilience but an unyielding commitment to testing human limits.
Elia’s passion for adventure seamlessly intertwined with his talent for storytelling. He documented the harrowing disasters on Mt. Everest in 2014, 2015, and 2019, capturing stories of survival and resilience in some of the most challenging conditions on Earth. His compelling imagery has been featured by renowned networks such as National Geographic, Discovery, ESPN, Netflix, and BBC.
Beyond mountaineering, Elia’s career expanded into television broadcast work as a director of photography. Collaborating with celebrity athletes like NBA champion Serge Ibaka, MLB hall-of-famer Vladimir Guerrero, and star pitcher Aaron Sanchez, Elia’s work with Rogers Sportsnet earned critical acclaim, including a Canadian Screen Award for “Limitless” and a CINE Golden Eagle Award for “On the Top,” filmed on Everest.
Drawing from his extraordinary journey as an adventure filmmaker, he weaves breathtaking visuals from his expeditions with relatable stories and actionable insights. From students and educators to corporate leaders, Elia offers fresh perspectives on peak performance, resilience, leadership, and overcoming challenges. With over a decade of experience and a reputation for sparking meaningful change, his talks leave a lasting impression on every audience.
Elia Saikaly’s commitment to creating positive change shines through his leadership of the FindingLife educational program, which connected tens of thousands of students to real-time learning adventures. From virtually guiding 20,000 students to the summit of Mt. Everest to building classrooms in Kenya, his initiatives bridged cultural gaps and empowered young minds to see the world through a lens of connection and possibility.
Beyond education, Elia’s mission extended to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities worldwide. From the Sherpa people in Nepal to persons with albinism in Africa, he collaborated with NGOs to highlight the resilience and beauty of diverse cultures. His travels to Lebanon, Jordan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Niger brought untold stories to a global audience.
As a certified Mind-Body Practitioner, Flow Research Collective High-Performance Coach, and Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitator, Elia brings a holistic approach to personal growth and healing. His professional training includes mentorship under Duey Freeman, a renowned therapist with over 50 years of experience, whose developmental model provided a strong foundation in attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and Gestalt approaches.
Elia’s studies in Jungian psychology further deepen his understanding of shadow work and the complexities of the human experience, allowing him to guide clients toward uncovering the root causes of their limitations. His coaching philosophy is grounded in liberation and empowerment, helping individuals break free from what holds them back and move toward realizing their true potential.
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