Andreu Mateu

Andreu Mateu Lamas ( Reus, Tarragona, 1962). Entrepreneur, adventurer, sailor, traveler, speaker
Andreu Mateu is a Catalan entrepreneur, adventurer, sailor, traveler and speaker.
He founded an outdoor activity company, DREAMS & ADVENTURES,
Andreu is now rising in prominence as one of Europe's leading motivational and inspirational speakers.
Biography
He was born in Reus (Tarragona). From early years He got fond of motorbikes.
When he was 7 years old his father died. He studied in several schools. He was able to get a decent education.
In 1987 he moved to the United States. Andreu graduated from ESADE university with a BSC degree in Economics, an MBA in Business Administration and headed towards New York with a rucksack full of dreams. After 5 years of experience working as an executive in New York, he came to a halt and decided he needed a change of direction. Disconnecting his home telephone, he took time to reflect upon his dreams and so he drew up a list of all the goals he had: to fly by air, to navigate the oceans, to dive into the deepest seas, to cross the deserts, to climb mountains and to explore the world, getting to know its countries, its peoples and its different cultures. To experience the diversifying forms of the planet was the overriding aim that became clear to Andreu. He therefore thought of the idea of organising a voyage around the world, with three objectives in mind: to travel through as many countries as possible, using as many different types of transport, whilst succeeding in a series of different challenges by exploring his own limits to the full.
Working on this list of dreams he realized that the common denominator of all of them was to know our planet and the diverse forms to move around it. Thus the idea came to his to make an expedition around the world with three objectives: go through the maximum number of countries, use all the forms of transport possible and to surpass by the way a series of challenges put by him to test himself and to explore his own limits. One week later he decided to leave his work in the Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain, to sell everything and to make a reality that dream that already counted on a name: "The Transcovery Project".
In October 1995 Andreu returned to Spain with more than 12,000 photographs and 170 hours of videotape. Whilst organising all this material for his Inspirational Conferences, travel articles and radio programmes; the prestigious international consultancy Coopers & Lybrand asked him to take charge of the organisation of an outdoor motivational programme.
Transcovery Project
On the 11th of August 1992 Andreu strapped on a pair of inline skates and departed from Spain to begin his new adventure.
He set off for his dream journey around the world. During three years and two months that he was travelling, his office was the world and his equipment of work: a camcorder, two cameras to photograph and a laptop. With this little equipment, he initiated an adventure that put his life on risk in several occasions.
To cross the Straits of Gibraltar by swimming, the Atlantic - in solitaire on board of a small sailboat of nine meters; to cross Europe on bicycle and Africa - on motorbike: these are only some examples of the multiple challenges that he put himself on while travelling through 120 countries in more than 130 different forms of transportation.
In pursuing his dream across the globe, Andreu swam the Straits of Gibraltar, crossed the Atlantic Ocean solo in a 30-foot sailing boat, cycle across Europe, and traversed the entire length of Africa by motorbike.
Business
In October 1995 Andreu returned to Spain. Aware of the benefits of what "The Transcovery Project" had done for his persona, having fulfilled his dreams and adventures by pushing himself to the limits, Andreu was keen to share his inspiration and experiences with the commercial world. As it is the personnel who determine the efficiency of any organisation, he identified an opportunity for companies to benefit from motivation and team building courses. Consequently, he decided to dedicate the rest of his life to building the company Dreams and Adventures, in order to express his belief in determination.
The company designs and organises outdoor activity programmes as well as communication and reflection sessions to improve the way in which people think, feel and act in their working environment.
Adventure or team building activity programmes designed to promote interpersonal relationships, to build team spirit and to motivate participants in a dynamic, fun and exciting way. They are the ideal complement for business meetings, conventions and incentive trips.
Adventure (or team building already designed) & team building activities which encourage (team building) group bonding in a dynamic and fun environment. These activities (are possible to) can be (realized) realised in (several) a number of select locations throughout Spain.
As well as operating in various outdoor activity centres in exclusive mountain locations in Spain, characterised by their natural beauty, the company also offer our outdoor catering service in any part of the Iberian Peninsula. .
Inspirational Speeches
During his life, Andreu Mateu gained a lot of experience and met many difficulties while achieving his dream. In his speech, Andreu Mateu shares his dream, as well as the self-motivation techniques that helped him to overcome and defy the innumerable obstacles he encountered throughout his journey.
His speeches are full of anecdotes from his adventures which not only entertain but help to inspire audiences to achieve the enormous potential they have hidden within themselves. Andreu has the charisma to hold the audience, visually his presentations are spectacular with video footage of his travels.
He uses the metaphor of adventure to explain the 10 key points that help him to overcome all of his life’s challenges.
His business background gives him an exceptional ability to understand his clients’ needs and goals, which results in a tailor made, dynamic, powerful and relevant presentation.
He inspires his audience to overcome the odds and, if they fail, to try again. The auditors can, thanks to Andreu’s presentation understand that they cannot direct the wind but can adjust the sails, and that if there is no wind they can row.
The final based experience of Andreu Mateu that he wants to teach is that “the ones who fail are those who do not try”.
Published Books
Andreu Mateu has written two books and is now preparing two more.
One of these books is written in Spanish: Las 131 formas de viajar superandose a si mismo. This book is a compilation of all the different forms of transport that Andreu Mateu used on his trip around the world. Each page contains a drawing with an explanation of where he found the transport and his experience using it.
The other, Transcovery. He left it all to accomplish his dream: Go around the world. 3 years, 120 countries in 131 different means of transportationis bilingual, Spanish and English.
This is a compilation of all the different newsletters he wrote during the expedition and sent to his friends, sponsors, subscribers and followers.
Media Appearences
The media has demonstrated a strong interest in the originality and effectiveness of the activities of our company. Numerous interviews, television reports, radio and newspaper articles are a demonstration of such interest in Dreams and Adventures, attracting the attention of both the corporate world and the general public.
He has appeared in many TV shows in Europe and the USA and is author of 2 books. He has also lectured widely and now travels extensively in Europe with his remarkable experiences.

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