Imagine a speaker who has literally journeyed to the brink of death and back, returning with profound insights about life, leadership, and the human spirit. Hertha Louise Lund is exactly that speaker – a true changemaker Imagine a speaker who has literally journeyed to the brink of death and back, returning with profound insights about life, leadership, and the human spirit. Hertha Louise Lund is exactly that speaker – a true changemaker who uses her extraordinary personal story to help others unlock their potential. Hertha’s life reads like an adventure novel: she’s been a high-powered attorney and a Capitol Hill journalist, a cattle rancher and a blacksmith, a poet and a retreat founder. But perhaps her most defining moment was surviving a near-death experience, which transformed her outlook on life and work. Now, as a “transformational speaker” and “master of human potential,” Hertha engages audiences with keynotes that are equal parts heartwarming and mind-opening. She talks about dying, literally, and what it taught her about truly living – and she does it with warmth, humor, and genuine empowerment that leave listeners spellbound.
Award-winning director Tricia Brouk describes Hertha as “a powerful speaker who shares her personal story of dying and coming back in a way that is full of heart, humor and empowerment.” Indeed, Hertha has a rare ability to go deep and be vulnerable, while also taking gentle care of her audience through the journey. She ensures that listeners not only hear an inspiring story, but also walk away with practical steps to pursue wholeness, love, and transformative change in their own lives. If you’re looking for a speaker who can truly move the room – touching souls and sparking actionable growth – Hertha Louise Lund is an exceptional choice.
A Journey of Resilience & Purpose
Hertha’s background is as diverse as it is impressive. She began her career as a litigation attorney, fighting high-stakes legal battles and even founding her own successful law firm early on. She also served as an investigative journalist in Washington, D.C., covering the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court – roles that honed her analytical mind and sharpened her storytelling skills. These experiences in the halls of power would be remarkable on their own, but Hertha’s journey didn’t stop there.
Seeking deeper fulfillment, Hertha eventually traded the courtroom for the open pastures of Montana. She is the Founder of Four Horses for Wholeness, a renowned retreat center in Montana where she pioneered a unique blend of equine therapy, gestalt coaching, and personal development work. On her cattle ranch, Hertha works with horses as co-facilitators to help individuals break through emotional barriers and find balance and renewal. This setting isn’t just a backdrop – it’s integral to Hertha’s philosophy that nature, animals, and experiential learning can lead to profound personal growth.
Hertha’s life took a dramatic turn with a near-death experience that she often recounts in her talks. In that moment, Hertha “died” – and came back forever changed. This brush with mortality deepened her commitment to living and leading with unwavering purpose, love, and courage. It’s a story that grips every audience: the harrowing details of what she saw and felt, and the powerful realizations she brought back with her about why we’re here on Earth. As Hertha puts it, she returned with a mission to embody love and fulfill her true reason for life. She draws on this extraordinary experience – and the healing journey that followed – to inspire people to break through their own limitations and live more fearlessly.
All these chapters of Hertha’s life come together to form a speaker with remarkable depth and authenticity. She can speak to CEOs about high-pressure decision making (she’s been there in the courtroom and boardroom) and, in the next breath, share wisdom learned from tending horses in a quiet pasture. Hertha’s journey from the corporate world to the ranch, from facing death to embracing life, gives her a compelling voice that resonates with a wide range of audiences, from corporate executives and entrepreneurs to community leaders and wellness seekers.
With Hertha Lund on stage, you’re not just getting expertise – you’re getting hard-earned wisdom forged by an incredible life of highs, lows, and courageous reinvention. Audiences find her relatability refreshing: despite her epic story, she’s down-to-earth and connects on a human-to-human level, inviting everyone to reflect on their own life purpose and potential.
Speaking Topics that Transform
Hertha Louise Lund’s speaking topics are designed to facilitate deep transformation and self-discovery, while also addressing practical challenges in leadership and personal growth. She often customizes her message for the audience at hand (e.g., corporate leaders, women’s groups, wellness retreats), but her core programs include:
“Dying to Live: Getting to the Heart of Why We Are Here”
In this signature keynote, Hertha shares the riveting story of her near-death experience and the powerful lessons it taught her about life. This talk is a highly motivational journey where Hertha describes what it was like to face death and how it propelled her to truly start living. She speaks about the realization that our purpose is to embody love and become our real selves, and how confronting mortality can strip away trivial fears and awaken one’s true priorities. Hertha doesn’t just awe audiences with her story – she gently guides them to reflect on their own lives. She provides actionable steps for finding purpose and wholeness, urging people to ask: What would you change if you got a second chance at life? Audiences often experience profound mindset shifts, coming away with a new appreciation for each day and a clarified sense of “why we are here.” This talk is full of heart and even humor, as Hertha recounts moments of her journey, and it inevitably leaves attendees inspired to live more authentically and courageously.
“What Horsemanship Can Teach Us About Managing Our Emotions”
In this unique and illuminating session, Hertha draws parallels between natural horsemanship and emotional intelligence in leadership. Hertha is an accomplished horsewoman, and she explains how working with horses – creatures that mirror our emotions – can teach us profound lessons about self-mastery. Just as a horse trainer must approach with calm, clarity, and empathy to gain a horse’s trust, leaders must learn to manage their own emotions and energy to effectively lead others. Hertha introduces principles of horsemanship that promote connection, unity, and understanding, and shows how they translate to the workplace in managing teams and oneself. For instance, she discusses how authenticity and vulnerability (approaching with calm confidence rather than aggression) create harmony, whether you’re dealing with a horse or a team member. Attendees gain a clear understanding of how to apply these principles of patience, presence, and non-verbal communication in their daily lives. The talk often includes fascinating anecdotes from Hertha’s ranch – perhaps a tale of calming a frightened horse that illustrates managing panic in a crisis – making the lessons memorable. Audiences walk away with a new perspective on emotional self-regulation and practical techniques to build trust and rapport in their professional and personal relationships.
“Changing Yourself Can Change the World”
The premise of this empowering talk is simple yet profound: personal change leads to broader change. Hertha believes that when we fully embrace understanding and transforming ourselves, we create a ripple effect that can impact our organizations, communities, and beyond. In this keynote, she shares how her own radical personal transformation after her near-death experience led to dramatic positive changes in her environment and the people around her. She challenges audiences to look inward – to become aware of what truly drives them – and to do the inner work needed for outer results. This might include confronting old fears, redefining one’s values, or developing new habits aligned with one’s purpose. Hertha provides concrete steps for initiating personal change and explains why those changes are crucial for achieving the outcomes we desire in the wider world. Whether someone wants to change their company culture, their family dynamic, or society at large, Hertha shows that it starts with oneself. Audiences learn the importance of leading with love and light – one of Hertha’s key messages – as she asserts that living with love is key to true success and fulfillment. This talk is often described as enlightening and deeply moving, as Hertha weaves in stories of individuals who changed themselves (sometimes through Hertha’s coaching or retreats) and consequently sparked change in their teams or communities. Listeners leave motivated to become the change agents of their own lives and inspired by the very real possibility that changing yourself really can change the world.
Hertha’s topics are especially resonant in today’s climate. In a world where organizations crave more resilient, emotionally intelligent, and authentic leadership, Hertha’s message hits the bullseye. Her programs help companies and groups to:
- Inspire more human-centric leadership cultures – shifting away from impersonal management to a style grounded in empathy and human connection.
- Develop resilience among teams facing uncertainty – by teaching personal mastery of emotions and mindset, so leaders and employees can navigate change without breaking.
- Encourage vulnerability and authenticity as drivers of innovation and loyalty – Hertha shows that when leaders are courageous enough to be authentic, it creates an environment where creativity and trust flourish.
- Build “whole” organizations where purpose and performance coexist – by fostering an atmosphere where individuals can bring their whole selves to work, resulting in engaged employees and sustainable success.
These takeaways align with Hertha’s overarching goal: to help individuals and organizations become more balanced, humane, and effective. She tailors her language for corporate audiences when needed, using terms like “leadership architecture” and “emotional intelligence,” but always keeps the heart of the message accessible to everyone.
Achievements & Credentials
Hertha Lund’s life experiences are her credentials, and they are remarkable. She has a foot in both the professional world and the rugged world of ranch life, making her accomplishments truly one-of-a-kind. Here are some of Hertha’s notable achievements:
- Founder, Four Horses for Wholeness: Hertha established a transformational healing retreat center in Montana that combines equine therapy, Gestalt coaching, and personal development. Through this retreat, she has guided countless individuals (from executives to trauma survivors) on journeys of self-discovery and healing in a serene ranch setting.
- Equine Gestalt Master Coach: She is a recognized master in the specialized field of Equine Gestalt Coaching. This means she’s trained to use interactions with horses as a powerful tool for human emotional growth – a methodology that requires deep expertise in psychology, intuition, and leadership training.
- Litigation Attorney & Law Firm Founder: Earlier in her career, Hertha earned her Juris Doctor and founded her own law practice. Running a law firm taught her entrepreneurial leadership and business acumen. It also underscores her tenacity and intellect – succeeding in a high-pressure legal arena is no small feat.
- Former National Journalist: Hertha worked as a journalist at the highest levels, covering the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. This role required sharp communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to distill complex issues – talents she now channels into her speaking and coaching.
- Near-Death Experience Survivor: Surviving a near-death experience is itself a life achievement. Hertha returned from that life-altering moment with a renewed purpose: to live and lead with authentic love, resilience, and transformative impact. This experience gives her message an unparalleled depth and sincerity; she speaks with the authority of someone who truly understands what’s important in life.
- Renaissance Woman (Poet, Blacksmith, Rancher): Hertha is also an accomplished poet and has published works reflecting on life and nature. She mastered the craft of blacksmithing (horseshoeing), an ancient skill requiring strength, patience, and precision. And as a cattle ranch owner, she embodies hard work, sustainability, and a deep connection to nature. These personal facets aren’t just trivia – they shape the rich tapestry of metaphors and lessons she brings to her talks (for example, forging metal into shape as a metaphor for forging character).
Hertha is, in many ways, the ultimate multi-disciplinary leader. Few can say they’ve succeeded in law, journalism, entrepreneurship, and personal development coaching, all while living true to rural values and spiritual insights. This unique blend of experiences makes her incredibly credible to diverse audiences. Executives hear her credibility as she references her legal and business background. Personal development enthusiasts connect with her spiritual and holistic side. And everyone is drawn to the genuine, no-limits mindset her life represents.
Importantly, Hertha’s achievements have a unifying theme: each is centered on helping others grow. Whether it was advocating for clients in court, informing the public through journalism, healing people at her retreat, or even caring for animals and land – Hertha’s life work is about service and empowerment. That ethos shines through in her speaking engagements.
Why Book Hertha Lund?
Hertha Lund is the kind of speaker who doesn’t just show up and deliver a talk – she creates an experience. Event planners who have worked with Hertha often note that she transforms the atmosphere of the entire event. Her presence is down-to-earth yet undeniably powerful. Dressed perhaps in her trademark cowboy boots, she immediately breaks the ice with authenticity and approachability. Audiences see she’s the real deal – someone who has been through it and come out the other side stronger and wiser.
Here’s what you can expect when you book Hertha Lund:
- Deep Connection: Hertha has an extraordinary gift for connecting with audiences on a personal level. She speaks to people, not at them. Even in a room of hundreds, attendees feel as though Hertha understands their individual struggles and hopes. This connection is partly due to her willingness to be vulnerable and share her own journey so openly.
- Tangible Transformation: Not many speakers can promise that an audience will walk out changed. Hertha can, and does. She doesn’t just aim to motivate for a day; she provides tools and insights that spark long-term change. For example, after hearing Hertha, executives have reported adopting more empathetic leadership styles, individuals have taken brave steps toward personal goals, and teams have started new wellness or mindfulness initiatives at work. With Hertha, you get inspiration and implementation. She ensures the audience has “exact steps to take” to move into a path of wholeness and transformation, fulfilling her promise to care for her audience’s journey.
- Versatility and Relevance: Hertha’s content is amazingly versatile. She is just as effective delivering a moving opening keynote for a corporate leadership conference as she is closing a wellness retreat with a reflective session. She can tailor her stories and lessons to fit themes like leadership and corporate culture, women’s empowerment, mental health and wellness, overcoming adversity, or work-life balance. In the current era – with companies focusing on mental health, resilience, and authentic leadership – Hertha’s topics are more relevant than ever. She’s a speaker who will elevate the conversation at your event to a more meaningful, human level.
- Unique Audience Experience: If appropriate for the event, Hertha can incorporate interactive or experiential elements drawn from her coaching background. For instance, she might lead a short visualization exercise that she uses in her retreats, or share a simple breathing technique she learned from working with horses to manage anxiety. Such moments make the session memorable and give attendees something to do, not just listen to. And of course, her storytelling – whether describing the stillness of a Montana morning or the intensity of a courtroom – paints vivid images that captivate the room.
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what Tricia Brouk, an award-winning director and producer, has said about Hertha:
“Hertha Lund is a powerful speaker who shares her personal story of dying and coming back in a way that is full of heart, humor and empowerment.”
— Tricia Brouk, Award-Winning Director & Founder of The Big Talk Academy
This testimonial speaks volumes. Hertha leaves an impression on even the most experienced professionals in the speaking industry. Attendees frequently echo these sentiments, remarking on Hertha’s perfect balance of heart and humor and the genuine empowerment they feel after her sessions.
In summary, Hertha Louise Lund brings an unrivaled combination of authenticity, wisdom, and actionable insight to the stage. She will challenge your audience to think deeply, feel deeply, and then take concrete steps towards growth. Under her guidance, a speaking event becomes more than just a lecture – it becomes a milestone in the personal development of those present.
Call to Action: Elevate your next event with a speaker who will truly touch and transform your audience. Book Hertha Louise Lund for your upcoming conference, retreat, or corporate training through Talent Concierge Artists Agency. Your attendees will thank you as they embark on a journey of introspection and empowerment, guided by Hertha’s incredible story and expertise. When it’s time to inspire your team or audience to embrace change with courage and compassion, Hertha Lund is the speaker who will deliver the unforgettable, life-affirming message they need. Don’t miss the chance to bring this once-in-a-lifetime speaker to your stage – Hertha Lund will help make your event an extraordinary success.
