Alastair Humphreys

Alastair’s adventures have generated a wealth of inspiring stories and demonstrate his belief that in setting small targets you can go on to achieve outrageous goals. Alastair has cycled around the world, a journey of 46,000 miles through 60 countries and 5 continents – an epic journey described by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes as “the first great adventure of the new millennium.” Alastair has walked across southern India, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, run the Marathon des Sables, completed a crossing of Iceland by foot and packraft, trekked in the Arctic, and walked across the Empty Quarter in Oman retracing the route of one of his heroes, Wilfred Thesiger. In 2016, Alastair followed the footsteps of Laurie Lee by walking through Spain. Lee played his violin in bars to pay for food: Alastair had no musical skill at all. Undeterred, Alastair set out to learn how to play the violin and although admitting he was ‘appalling’, he faced his fears, left money and credit card at home and busked in Spanish streets to complete the walk – and, although often hungry, didn’t starve.

Alastair’s award-winning concept of microadventures – short, adventurous journeys close to home – encourage people to undertake adventures of their own and improve their physical health, mental well-being, and that all-important elusive work/life balance. The message is clear: in every situation you can focus on the constraints and obstacles or you can look for the opportunities. As Alastair puts it, microadventures encourage 5 to 9 thinking – an innovative approach that applies to so much more than adventure. The concept of microadventures led to Alastair being named as one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2012. Alastair’s books, blogs, videos, short films, photographs and social media platforms demonstrate his exceptional creativity and are enjoyed by an international community.

A very popular corporate speaker, audiences appreciate that Alastair’s messages are authentic and hard-won by trying new challenges in different environments. Alastair consciously steers himself away from becoming an expert in any one niche of adventure. Planning for a variety of expeditions requires not only careful consideration of the challenges ahead but also a willingness to accept that you cannot prepare for every eventuality and the confidence and nerve to trust yourself to figure things out along the way. In an era of instant gratification, expeditions demand a passion to pursue long-term goals with a determined but flexible attitude. Reviews across a range of sectors demonstrate that Alastair’s enthusiasm is contagious.

Feedback consistently emphasizes that Alastair’s talks entertain audiences and deliver powerful messages around self-belief, creative thinking, innovation, change, finding opportunities within constraints, personal and team development, as well as facing challenge, work-life balance, the rewards of risk, staying motivated and setting small targets to achieve outrageous goals. Corporate clients across all sectors appreciate Alastair’s ability to tailor his talk creatively drawing on his many adventures to deliver on their brief in his engaging, humorous style. All of his talks, accompanied by superb photographs, demonstrate the power of positive thinking and deliver the motivation and practical steps required to get started, make a change and focus on important goals no matter what they may be.

Alastair’s presentations are inspiring, down-to-earth, quick-witted, honest, energetic and he challenges the audience to set more challenging goals – to do more. He reminds everyone that nothing is achieved without being bold enough to begin it and encourages people to believe in themselves and their potential.

Alastair has published nine books (including three for children) and he is a keen photographer, award-winning short filmmaker, popular blogger and motivational speaker. Alastair is patron of the Youth Adventure Trust, Hope and Homes for Children, the Outdoor Swimming Society and the Yorkshire Dales Society.