Alex Staniforth

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, author, and mental health advocate who specialises in resilience, overcoming adversity, and the vital connection between well-being and performance. Having survived two catastrophic Everest disasters as a teenager and overcome epilepsy, bullying, and a lifelong stammer, he founded Mind Over Mountains, a charity restoring mental well-being through nature in partnership with the NHS. His recent achievement as the first and fastest person to climb all 446 mountains in England and Wales by human power in just 45 days demonstrates his exceptional endurance credentials. Through his unassuming and relatable speaking style, Alex equips audiences with practical strategies to challenge self-limiting beliefs, build genuine resilience, and foster open conversations around mental health in the workplace.

At just 19 years old, Alex Staniforth survived two consecutive avalanches on Mount Everest, trapped on the mountain as the 2015 Nepal earthquake triggered catastrophe through the Khumbu Icefall. Yet the Cheshire-born adventurer's most significant battles were never fought at altitude. Confronting epilepsy, bullying, anxiety, and a lifelong stammer, Alex refused to allow these challenges to limit his potential. Instead, he transformed adversity into purpose, channelling his experiences into a remarkable career as an ultra-endurance athlete, author, and mental health advocate. His most recent feat, becoming the first and fastest person to climb all 446 mountains in England and Wales by human power in just 45 days, exemplifies the determination that has defined his journey from teenager on Everest to record-breaking adventurer.

Alex's credibility stems from consistently pushing beyond perceived limits whilst maintaining genuine vulnerability about his struggles. As founding director of Mind Over Mountains, he created a charity working in partnership with the NHS to restore mental well-being through outdoor experiences, addressing a critical gap in mental health support. His two books, "Icefall" and "Another Peak", offer honest accounts of failure, perseverance, and redefining success beyond summits. From single-handedly raising over £35,000 in corporate sponsorship whilst still at school to his 2020 National Three Peaks challenge, where he ran 452 miles in just 9 days and 12 hours, Alex has raised over £100,000 for charitable causes. His 2017 Pride of Britain award recognised his extraordinary feat of covering over 5,000 miles in 72 days. He serves as ambassador for organisations including YHA England & Wales and Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, whilst his work earned him TGO Magazine's Silver Campaigner of the Year award.

Through his unassuming and relatable speaking style, Alex equips audiences across the UK and Europe with practical strategies to build genuine resilience and challenge self-limiting beliefs. His presentations move beyond typical adventure storytelling, focusing instead on the connection between well-being and high performance in professional environments. By openly sharing his mental health journey, particularly around breaking down stigma in young men, he creates space for meaningful conversations that translate into lasting workplace culture change. Alex emphasises that resilience isn't simply about bouncing back from setbacks, but about recharging and moving forward through whatever challenges lie ahead. Audiences leave with actionable insights drawn from extreme endurance and personal adversity, understanding that the most valuable summits are often the internal ones we choose to climb.