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Keynote SpeakerAlex Staniforth

Adversity Adventurer, Record-Breaking Adventurer, Everest Avalanche Survivor, Author and Mental Health Charity Founder

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ICF-trained coach, author, and charity founder from Chester. No stranger to adversity, Alex has overcome more than most will in a lifetime—including surviving the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history as a teenager. His greatest challenges have been even closer to home: living... Read more

Popular Talks

  • Re-defining Resilience: How to Embrace the Unexpected
  • Achieving the Extraordinary: Turning Setbacks into Success
  • Mountains in the Mind: Building Mental Fitness to Beat Burnout

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Biography

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ICF-trained coach, author, and charity founder from Chester. No stranger to adversity, Alex has overcome more than most will in a lifetime—including surviving the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history as a teenager. His greatest challenges have been even closer to home: living with epilepsy, stammering, bullying, and mental ill health since childhood.

Being defeated, however, was not an option for Alex. After single-handedly raising over £35,000 in corporate sponsorship whilst still at school, Alex’s first attempt to climb Mount Everest in 2014 was abandoned following a tragic avalanche that took sixteen lives. In 2015 he was trapped at Camp 1 for two days following the Nepal earthquake and an avalanche which took the lives of three team-mates at Base Camp.

Alex has never stopped testing his limits to inspire others. He is the first and fastest person ever to run and cycle all 446 mountains in England & Wales in just 45 days, has written two books (Icefall and Another Peak), and founded Mind Over Mountains, a charity restoring mental well-being through nature. His remarkable endurance feats include running the National Three Peaks Challenge – covering 17 marathons in just 9 days, and climbing all 100 UK county tops in the fastest time ever. He has raised over £150,000 for charity and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Chester in 2025 for his contribution to young people’s mental health.

He has shared these experiences with global organisations including Rolls-Royce, Samsung, Accenture, FedEx and the NHS. But at 30 years old, Alex isn’t your typical motivational speaker. Combining feats of endurance and lived experience with practical resilience and mindset tools, Alex’s keynotes inspire audiences to discover their own resilience, overcome fear of failure, and achieve the extraordinary – whether in business, leadership, or life. His story brings a relatable dose of honesty and vulnerability that bridges the gap between mental health and resilience, proving that wellbeing isn’t a barrier to achievement — it’s the foundation of sustainable performance.

When he’s not inspiring organisations around the world, Alex is usually found running through the hills and chasing the next challenge. Why settle for Base Camp?

“Thanks so much for coming down to talk with the team. You absolutely hit the brief - everyone has been talking about it ever since. It also encouraged one or two people to open up about their own anxieties and stories later in the day. And we had some really healthy conversations.” Contract Manager, National Grid
“What a refreshing delight Alex is! Authentic, funny, passionate and simply genuine in every word of his heartening journey shared. If you’re looking for a real example of resilience and winning in the face of adversity - Alex is your man.” UK Sales Director, Kellanova
“Alex recently supported a team get together encouraging different ways to approach challenges in or out of work. His ability to quickly grasp the messages specific to the team and our business and then weave this into his delivery was impressive. His authentic and humble articulation enabled there to be something in the messaging for everyone and this was very much appreciated. Thanks again Alex.” Off Trade Director, Heineken UK
“The team were blown away and left feeling incredibly inspired. Thank you for doing what you do. I know for some in my team who are struggling at the moment it would have resonated even more. Keep doing what you're doing and THANK YOU! I also know everyone has left feeling and thinking differently because of you, in a really positive way.” Digital Director, Screwfix
“Sometimes the approach to mental health within organisations as big and cumbersome as ours can feel a bit of a tick box, superficial exercise, but your sessions felt very different, very real, very humble and very authentic. In my view, you will have made a difference much bigger than you may think or ever know.” Chief Superintendent, Cambridgeshire Police
“I was particularly impressed with the preparation and tailoring Alex was able to do to make the message even more pertinent to our business – it was a truly inspirational session summed up by one comment – “I can’t believe you just paid us to listen to that!” GM, Core Manufacture, Rolls-Royce Submarines
“Your presentation was riveting, engaging and inspirational. We have received such overwhelming feedback on how your story resonated with the team and how it was what they needed at such an appropriate time.” Head of Office Dubai, Deriv.com
“Alex's story of resilience, courage, and overcoming adversity is nothing short of extraordinary. Alex's keynote reminded us all that success is not just about reaching the summit but about the journey and the unwavering spirit that fuels it. His authenticity and passion resonated throughout the room, sparking conversations that continued long after the session ended. Thank you, Alex, for making this year's APA Conference unforgettable.” CEO, Accounts Payable Association
“Alex recently joined us at the launch event for our High Potential programme as the keynote speaker. Alex perfectly combined his story and experiences with the theme of Achieving Your Potential. He captured the audience through his ability to authentically articulate his drive and determination, overcoming many challenges in his way, as well as finding beauty and lessons through ‘failure’. Alex collaborated with my team in preparing for the event such attention to detail, ensuring his talk would not only resonate but inspire the audience. And that it did! Feedback received from participants was exceptional, so many inspired to push outside of their comfort zone and to see what opportunities lie ahead. Myself included!” Head of Talent, Samsung UK

Popular Talks by Alex Staniforth

  • Re-defining Resilience: How to Embrace the Unexpected

    Challenges and change are inevitable; being defeated is optional. It’s time to re-define resilience in our rapidly changing world. Resilience is no longer about bouncing back or enduring to breaking point: it’s how we recharge, prepare and move forward in the face of adversity. How do you keep moving when...

  • Achieving the Extraordinary: Turning Setbacks into Success

    We all have our own ‘Everest’ to climb. However, fear of failure often prevents us from taking the first step and achieving our full potential – when staying at Base Camp might be the biggest risk of all.

    Recalling two near-death experiences on Everest and his...

  • Mountains in the Mind: Building Mental Fitness to Beat Burnout

    High performance isn’t sustainable without managing our well-being too. With a refreshing vulnerability, Alex openly shares his own mental health journey as a young man to encourage open conversations about mental health, whilst challenging the myths and stigma that costs thousands of lives each year. For leaders, supporting...