TEDx 2014 Nando Parrado

Summary

The speaker recounts his miraculous survival of the 1972 Andes plane crash, where he and 28 others endured 72 days at 14,000 feet with sub-zero temperatures. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, leadership, and innovation, which they excelled in to stay alive. The ordeal taught him to value life's present moments and led to a successful career and family, proving that extraordinary moments are often born from love and resilience.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker survived an incredible ordeal, having been involved in a plane crash in the Andes Mountains 41 years ago and living to tell the tale.
• 🏔️ The crash occurred in a remote and harsh environment where survival was nearly impossible, with temperatures dropping to minus 35 degrees and no immediate rescue.
• 👥 The rugby team and others on the plane exhibited exceptional teamwork, leadership, and resilience, which were key to their survival.
• 📈 The speaker attributes the survival and later success in life to the skills developed during the ordeal, such as risk management, innovation, and creativity.
• 🏆 The ultimate prize of survival was achieved through excellence in various aspects of life that were later recognized in business and leadership.
• 💔 The speaker experienced profound personal loss, including the death of his mother, sister, and friends, which adds to the emotional depth of the story.
• 🚁 The initial belief of imminent rescue was replaced with the harsh reality of being stranded, leading to a shift in mindset and survival strategies.
• 🔄 The speaker had to confront the moral dilemma of cannibalism as a means of survival, an extreme measure taken in the face of death.
• 🗺️ Despite being misled about their location, the group's determination to survive led them to undertake a perilous journey across the Andes to seek help.
• 🏆 The speaker's life post-ordeal is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of living in the present, cherishing loved ones, and pursuing success.
• 👶 The speaker's narrative concludes with the joy of family and the birth of his grandchildren, emphasizing that life's most precious moments are often connected to love.

Q & A

What significant event occurred 41 years ago that the speaker is referring to?

The speaker is referring to the plane crash in the Andes Mountains that occurred in 1972, where he and his rugby team survived against all odds.

How did the speaker's experience in the Andes influence his life and business achievements?

The speaker attributes his success in business to the skills he developed during his ordeal in the Andes, such as teamwork, leadership, facing change, crisis management, and innovation.

What was the initial belief of the survivors about being rescued after the crash?

The initial belief of the survivors was that they would be rescued the next day because helicopters do not fly at night in the mountains.

How did the speaker's mindset change after hearing the news that the search for the plane had been abandoned?

The speaker's mindset changed from hopeful to determined, realizing that they had to take matters into their own hands to survive and escape.

What drastic decision did the survivors have to make in order to survive?

The survivors had to resort to eating the dead bodies of their friends in order to sustain themselves until they could find a way to escape.

What was the physical condition of the survivors after being stranded for two and a half months in the Andes?

The survivors were extremely weak, dehydrated, and suffering from the harsh conditions of the Andes, including frostbite and malnutrition.

How did the speaker and another survivor attempt to reach help after being stranded?

The speaker and another survivor, Roberto, attempted to cross the Andes Mountains by climbing to the top and then walking and climbing for ten and a half days to reach civilization.

What was the emotional impact on the speaker when he returned home after the ordeal?

The emotional impact was profound; the speaker had to face the loss of his mother, sister, and friends, and had to rebuild his life from the ground up.

How did the speaker's perspective on life change after his survival experience?

The speaker's perspective on life changed drastically, valuing every moment and striving to live a meaningful life, cherishing his family and achieving success in his personal and professional life.

What does the speaker consider his biggest triumph in life?

The speaker considers his biggest triumph to be his family, including his wife, daughters, and grandchildren, rather than his material or professional achievements.

What advice does the speaker give to the audience about living life?

The speaker advises the audience to live in the present, to be good, competitive, and to cherish every extraordinary moment, especially those linked with love.