Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking endurance adventurer, motivational speaker, published author, brand ambassador and charity founder from Cheshire, who has never taken the conventional path to the top.
At the age of 25 he has already attempted Mount Everest twice – but Alex is not your typical Everest speaker. After single-handedly raising over £35,000 in corporate sponsorship whilst still at school, his first attempt to climb to the summit of Mount Everest in 2014 was abandoned following a tragic avalanche that took sixteen lives. Aged 19, he returned a year later and survived an avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall, triggered by the Nepal earthquake, which trapped his team on the mountain for two days.
Alex is no stranger to adversity, after overcoming epilepsy, bullying, anxiety – and a stammer in early life. Confronting his stammer head-on, Alex shares his adventure anecdotes and insights with business teams, organisations and conferences across the UK and Europe.
Recognising that adversity is the greatest teacher, in 2016 he reached 7,125m on Cho Oyu, the worlds’ sixth highest peak and released an award-winning book ‘ICEFALL’, endorsed by Bear Grylls. His second title ‘Another Peak’ was published in July 2019, endorsed by Mark Beaumont.
He is now dedicated to helping others achieve their Everest, fundraising over £100,000 for charities, carrying the London 2012 Olympic Torch through Chester and winning a Pride of Britain Regional Fundraiser of the Year award in 2017.
Alex is a founding director of Mind Over Mountains, a charity to restore mental well-being and resilience through outdoor experiences. In 2020 he ran the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing and running 452 miles between the UK’s three highest peaks in just 9 days 12 hours, and won TGO Magazine Silver ‘Campaigner of the Year’.
Now based on the edge of the Lake District, he serves as an ambassador for The Westgrove Group, YHA England & Wales, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports and an Ordnance Survey ‘Get Outside’ Champion 2020.
Alex has spoken for clients including Yorkshire Bank, Reckitt Benckiser, Smurfit Kappa, BOSS Federation, British Cycling, United Utilities, The International School of Geneva, TEDx and more.
Through the lens of adventure, ultra-endurance and mental ill health, his presentations explore resilience and inspire teams to:
- Build the tools to stay resilient and productive during crisis and periods of high stress
- Proactively manage their physical and mental well-being
- Redefine success to take advantage of adversity and achieve the extraordinary
- Maintain motivation and performance when the goal posts are shifting
Take a look at Alex’s showreel.
“As one of our members said, “If we could have a spoonful of Alex with our Cornflakes every morning, it surely would set you up to tackle the day ahead no matter what life threw at you.” – Shared Services Forum UK Ltd, Annual Conference
“Alex’s keynote address positively inspired our Leaders of the Future conference audience – whatever their age. His impassioned talk transformed our day from being just a good one to being exceptional. He was also a very tough act to follow!” – Philip Lawson, CEO of BOSS Federation
