The world’s best motivational speaker, Ben Nemtin, was the first keynote speaker at the 2025 Narta Conference and immediately challenged delegates with one question – ‘What do you want to do before you die?’.
The question which was not about being morbid, but about prioritising one’s life to make sure you can check off a ‘bucket list’ of items before you die.
Now a New York Times best-selling author, Nemtin joined together with three friends in 2006 to create The Buried Life – a two week road trip that evolved into a television show and then a global movement – that featured 100 of their dreams that they wanted to complete before they died.
A former representative rugby player who grew up in Canada, Nemtin suffered from anxiety and depression and used the development of his ‘bucket list’ with his friends helped him find his purpose.
“I realised I has been living the life I wanted other people to see – not the life I wanted for myself. In an attempt to re-set, I decided to only surround myself with people who inspired me.
Nemtin challenged delegates to dream big in their professional and personal lives.
“Being true to yourself not only brings you the most happiness, but it also brings you the most success. The quickest way to discover your true self is by pursuing your passions.”
Among the items on the bucket list Nemtin and his friends have ticked off include having a beer with Prince Harry, being interviewed by Oprah, singing the national anthem at a sports studium, help deliver a baby, and play basketball with President Obama.
Referencing the number of attempts it took to play basketball with Obama, Nemtin told delegates to remain strong in the face of personal and professional adversity.
“We were relentless – we had no idea how we were going to get this done – but we knew there had to be a way, I am sure you have experienced this in some shape or form. You are probably facing some of the greatest challenges in your market for some time.
You are stronger together – and you will hit more challenges moving forward. But just like the story, you can get one ‘no’, two nos, five nos, 20 nos and sometimes you are not done until you get your ‘yes’.”
Nemtin also emphasised the importance of not only fulfilling your dreams, but also the dreams of others.
“People started to send us their dreams and asked for help. So we decided that for every bucket list item that we accomplished, we would help a complete stranger accomplish something on their list.”
Some of the things they did for complete strangers included granting the wishes of terminally ill children, fundraising for a homeless man to escape poverty and create his own landscaping business as well as provide a bionic arm for a teenage girl born with only one arm.
“We are all human beings – we have ups and downs. Who you truly are is exactly who you need to be. Being who you truly are and going after those things in your life that truly mean something to you is my definition of a bucket list and not hiding those things that you are struggling with – because the things that I thought were my weaknesses turned out to be my strengths rather than always trying to hide them. You are all under a lot of pressure, but remember you are unable to serve others if you cannot serve yourself.
“That’s what this is about – step out of the day to day and enjoy yourself and come back to you. The depression I went through – it is now easier to navigate and I have learned habits and now I will get through everything.”
Nemtin challenged Narta delegates to share items for their bucket list.
Some of the responses from Narta delegates included recording a chart-topping song and perform on Broadway, driving a Formula One car and flying a helicopter, playing Augusta National golf course and playing a par round of golf, flying a plane and jumping out of a plane, starting a charity, travel to various around the world including seeing the Northern Lights and Antarctica or attend a special sporting event, publish a book and spend more time with friends and family.