Alex Staniforth

  • Adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete and co-founder of a mental health charity

  • Survived Everest avalanche, which took sixteen lives

  • Has overcome epilepsy, bullying, anxiety, mental ill health and a stammer

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About

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete, author and charity founder from Cheshire who is no stranger to overcoming challenges.

By 19 years old Alex had already overcome and achieved more than many will in a lifetime. As a teenager he survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history, in two consecutive years. However, his biggest mountains have been much closer to home: epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a stammer since childhood.

Alex never allowed this to become his identity – only his experience. Re-framing adversity as an opportunity for growth has given him a unique drive to help others overcome their own ‘Everest’.

This is not your typical success story of reaching the summit. Alex takes his audiences on an emotional journey of resilience, courage, failure, teamwork and triumph over adversity. Combining lessons from adventure and ultra-endurance with a relatable vulnerability, he shares his Resilience Rucksack toolkit that anyone can apply to their own goals and challenges.

Despite facing numerous setbacks, Alex has never wavered in his pursuit of challenges and charitable endeavours. Following a failed attempt to climb Mount Everest in 2014 and a harrowing experience during the Nepal earthquake in 2015, he continued to push his limits. Alex has raised over £100,000 for charity, authored two books, and achieved remarkable feats such as becoming the fastest person to conquer all 100 UK county tops. In 2020, he ran the National Three Peaks challenge – 452 miles in 9 days 12 hours - and founded Mind Over Mountains, a charity dedicated to promoting mental well-being through nature.

Trusted by global companies including Rolls-Royce, Samsung and Bank of America, he helps teams, leaders and students build the resilience, mindset and well-being to overcome challenges, embrace change and achieve the extraordinary.

With humility and an unassuming style, Alex delivers his expertise through inspirational keynote presentations and workshops in person, virtually and hybrid. Presentations are typically 30-60 minutes with Q&A, but Alex will work meticulously with your brief to understand what a successful experience would look like for your audience.

Speech Topics

Resilience through Adversity – how to embrace the unexpected

Challenges and change are inevitable; being defeated is optional. Resilience isn’t simply about bouncing back or enduring to breaking point: it’s how we recharge, prepare and move forward – even when we can’t see the top of the mountain.

Drawing lessons and insight from extreme adventures and ultra-endurance, Alex will share the tools in his ‘Resilience Rucksack’ for anyone to adapt and achieve in the face of setbacks, failure, uncertainty and pressure – when the whole team depends on it.

The Adventure Mindset – why staying at Base Camp kills our potential

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 – and staying at Base Camp might be the biggest risk of all.

Two near-death experiences on Everest will re-define our idea of success and failure, and why adversity is an opportunity to win. Growth mindset is a skill we can all develop, and Alex will share his process for goal setting and building motivation so we can achieve our own vision of success. Why settle for Base Camp?

Mountains in the Mind – how to build our mental fitness

High performance isn’t sustainable without maintaining 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 the team often starts by putting our hand up first.

Drawing from his ultra-endurance challenges and lived experience, Alex shares resilience tools to build our mental fitness so we can proactively manage stress, learn the warning signs and avoid burnout – one small step at a time.

Videos

Motivational speech

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Testimonials

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 that is much bigger than you may think or ever know.

Chris Mead - Chief Supt., Cambridgeshire Police

Alex delivered a virtual motivational speech via Skype to circa 150 leaders in our business. The event was very well received with many leaders commenting on the relevance of Alex’s journey to our challenges and since the event several leaders have linked back to Alex’s content – describing their “resilience rucksack” and the question “are you pulling on the rope?” has entered our lexicon.

Robert Neale - GM, Core Mannufacture, Rolls Royce

You were "pitch perfect" today and delivered a sincere and compelling story of inspiration

Cindy Keaveney - Chief People Officer, Randstad Sourceright

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

Seema Hallon - Head of Office Dubai, Deriv.com

Alex Staniforth 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.”

Jonathan Ford - Off Trade Director, Heineken UK

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.
We have all adopted the slogan of “leaving base camp” and will be evangelising across the business about it

Paul Kiddle - Contract Manager, National Grid

A lot of us had read about your story online, but hearing you tell it yourself yesterday was more inspiring than I would ever have imagined. Your story telling skills are second to none and I believe that you have had an incredible impact on a lot of people who were on the call by being vulnerable, sharing your struggles, and letting us into your world.

Alix Wright - Internet Fusion Group

Feedback received from participants was exceptional, so many inspired to push outside of their comfort zone and to see what opportunities lie ahead!

Head of Talent - Samsung Electronics

Books and DVDs

Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Alex Staniforth. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.

How to book Alex Staniforth for your event

To book Alex Staniforth, please submit an online enquiry to booking.agent@nmp.co.uk or contact one of our booking agents on +44 (0)20 3822 0003.

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you made the whole process of finding and engaging our speaker very easy.
Julie Smith, Head of HR - Hastoe Group
MORE TESTIMONIALS
Bookings and enquiries
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