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.
This is not your typical success story of reaching the summit. 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 continued to push his limits and re-define success, raising over £100,000 for charity and publishing two books, Icefall and Another Peak. In 2017 he became the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops by bicycle, foot and kayak, covering over 5,000 miles in 72 days, and winning a Pride of Britain award. In 2020 he completed the National Three Peaks on foot, running 452 miles in just 9 days 12 hours, and founded Mind Over Mountains, a charity to restore mental well-being through nature. In 2025 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Chester for his contribution to young people’s mental health services. In summer 2025 he will also attempt his biggest challenge yet – running and cycling all 446 mountains in England & Wales in a record time of under 50 days, to open a conversation around suicide in under 30s.
As an inspirational speaker, Alex takes his audiences on an emotional journey of resilience, courage, failure, teamwork and triumph over adversity. He has been trusted by schools both in the UK and internationally, and regularly speaks for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award presentations at Buckingham Palace and award evenings.
What goals and challenges are your students facing?
Book Alex and take the first step out of Base Camp.
Presentations are typically 30-60 minutes with Q&A, but Alex will work meticulously with your brief to understand your challenges and what a successful experience would look like for your students.
Cumbria
Please enquire for pricing information.