Joey Evans is a South African adventure motorcyclist, Dakar Rally finisher, author and inspirational keynote speaker whose extraordinary journey from a life-changing spinal injury to competing in one of the world’s toughest motorsport events is a powerful testament to resilience, courage and determination.
In 2007, Joey suffered a devastating spinal injury during a motorcycle race, leaving him paralysed from the chest down. Doctors gave him little hope of walking again, let alone returning to competitive motorsport.
Refusing to surrender his dreams, Joey embarked on an extraordinary journey of rehabilitation, gradually regaining mobility and eventually returning to motorcycle riding.
His ultimate goal was to compete in the legendary Dakar Rally, widely regarded as one of the world’s most demanding endurance races.
In January 2017, ten years after his accident, Joey achieved the seemingly impossible by completing the gruelling 9,000 km Dakar Rally across South America. On the second-last day, his motorcycle was crushed by a rally car, threatening to end his race. Through extraordinary resourcefulness and perseverance, he found a way to continue and crossed the finish line in Buenos Aires, becoming the only South African motorcycle competitor to finish that year’s event.
Career Highlights & Awards
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2017 Dakar Rally finisher – completing the race despite his previous spinal injury.
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Africa Eco Race finisher – completing the 6,000 km event from Monaco to Dakar, Senegal.
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National Off-Track Rider of the Year – South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.
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Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to South African Motorsport – Motorsport South Africa.
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2024 Southern Africa Speakers Hall of Fame inductee – Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa.
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Bestselling author of From Para to Dakar, published in 2017.
Joey has since become an internationally recognised motivational speaker, sharing his remarkable story with corporate audiences around the world.
His keynote presentations explore resilience, overcoming adversity, embracing change, teamwork, mental toughness, goal-setting and the importance of refusing to give up when faced with seemingly impossible challenges.
Combining gripping storytelling, humour and practical life lessons, Joey challenges audiences to rethink their limitations and develop the determination required to achieve extraordinary results.
Joey Evans is an exceptional choice for corporate conferences, leadership summits, sales kick-offs, team-building events and motivational keynote presentations. His extraordinary journey demonstrates the power of perseverance, a positive mindset and the courage to keep moving forward against overwhelming odds.
