9th Edition

World Heart Congress

THEME: "Heartbeat of Change: Inspiring Solutions for Global Cardiac Health"

img2 17-18 Nov 2025
img2 Dubai, UAE (Collaboration with the Armenian Cardiologists Association)
Rael Bricker

Rael Bricker

University of the Witwatersrand, Australia

Title: Harnessing Optimism: Small Steps to Big Success


Biography

Rael Bricker is a global speaker and business excellence strategist who turned a personal health crisis into a mission to inspire lasting change. In 2013, after completing triathlons and while training for a marathon, Rael was diagnosed with two severely blocked arteries—resulting in life-saving stents and a life-changing shift in purpose. Today, 20kg lighter and stronger than ever, he shares how optimism became the driving force not just in recovery, but in leading high-performance cultures across industries. With over 30 years as a serial entrepreneur, Rael has built businesses, led teams on two continents, and guided over $3 billion in financial transactions. He holds an MBA and MSc (Engineering), is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), and a passionate advocate for aligning vision, behaviour, and resilience. At the Heart Congress, Rael brings a unique blend of lived experience and leadership insight—demonstrating how the "soft stuff" is often the hardest, and most vital, to get right.

Abstract

In 2013, I received an unexpected wake-up call. Despite being fit and active, training for a marathon after a season of triathlons, I was diagnosed with two severely blocked arteries. Two stents later, I emerged not just physically stronger—20 kilograms lighter and more aware—but with a renewed understanding of what drives sustainable personal and professional transformation: optimism.

This keynote shares how optimism—often dismissed as “soft”—is, in fact, the critical foundation for resilience, leadership, and recovery. Drawing from my journey as a serial entrepreneur, strategist, and survivor, I explore how we can apply optimism not just in personal health, but in creating healthy organisations, cultures, and teams.

 

The talk is built around four key pillars:

1.Crafting a Vision for Excellence – Like a GPS, optimism gives us direction, not just intention.

2.Inspiring Alignment and Engagement – Emotional leadership builds psychological safety and team trust.

3.Leveraging Strengths for Sustainable Growth – Optimism shifts focus from fixing what’s broken to amplifying what works.4.Driving Impact Through Incremental Action – Like flying a plane, success comes from constant small adjustments.