Alastair Humphreys Keynote Speaker
- Adventurer, microadventurer, author and motivational speaker
- Cycled 46,000 miles around the world
- One of National Geographic’s "Adventurers of the Year" (2012)
Alastair Humphreys's Biography
Alastair Humphreys spent over four years cycling round 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 Humphreys 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 retracing the route of one of his heroes, Wilfred Thesiger, 1000 miles in 45 days through the desert in Oman. During the summer of 2016, Alastair Humphreys walked through Spain following the footsteps of Laurie Lee, who wrote As I walked out one Midsummer Morning, his favourite travel book. Lee played his violin in bars to pay for food: Alastair wanted to do the same but had no musical skill at all. He bought a violin at Christmas and set out to learn how to play. Admitting he was “appalling”, Alastair Humphreys faced his fears, played his violin in Spanish streets and squares and, although often hungry, didn’t starve. A very popular 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. His books, blogs, videos, short films and photographs demonstrate his creativity and are enjoyed by an international community through social media.
As well as the major expeditions, Alastair’s award-winning concept of microadventures – short, adventurous journeys close to home – encourage people to take practical steps to challenge themselves by undertaking adventures of their own and improve their physical health, mental well-being, and all-important work/life balance. 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 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.
Feedback consistently emphasises 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, 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 and his engaging, humorous style. Client briefs are often varied: Alastair has delivered keynotes on leadership, challenge and motivation but also on the importance of communicating new ideas such as #microadventures through social media internationally, for example, or on health and well-being. All of his talks 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 Humphreys is passionate about encouraging others. Drawing on his many adventures, Alastair tailors each talk and has superb photographs and film footage to illustrate talks. Alastair’s inspiring and humorous talks challenge the audience to set more challenging goals – to do more. He reminds everyone that nothing is achieved without being bold enough to begin it. The lessons from the road.
He has published nine books (including three for children) and is a keen photographer, award-winning short filmmaker, popular blogger and motivational speaker.
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