Nando Parrado is the survivor of one of the most remarkable human endurance stories of the last century. In 1972, his plane crashed at 18,000 feet in the Andes while traveling with his Uruguayan rugby team. Over the 72 days that followed, he faced the loss of his mother and sister, the collapse of any hope of rescue, and the unimaginable conditions of the high mountains.

Yet he made a decision that changed everything: he would find a way out. After a ten-day trek with teammate Roberto Canessa across the Andes, they secured the rescue of the 16 survivors and became symbols of courage, resilience and the power of the human spirit.

His experience did not end on the mountain. Returning home to a life that had been erased in his absence, Nando rebuilt himself and his future from zero. The Andes shaped his philosophy on family, decision-making, teamwork and friendship—values that define his message on stage and continue to guide his life today.

Nando is the author of the international bestseller Miracle in the Andes and collaborated on both the book and the film Alive, as well as the recent global hit The Society of the Snow. Beyond his story, he is a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO. He leads MRC Ltda., a television production company behind some of Uruguay’s most popular programs for over three decades, and was also a major shareholder in Seler Parrado, SA, one of the country’s most respected industrial hardware businesses.