22-03-2021
Why settle for basecamp? Embracing adversity to build resilience with Alex Staniforth
Aged 24, Alex Staniforth is an ultra-endurance adventurer, international motivational speaker, author, brand ambassador and director of Mind Over Mountains, a charity to restore mental health through outdoor experiences. By sharing his adventures through adversity in live and virtual events and conferences, he inspires organisations to re-define success, build resilience, and improve their well-being. We don't always get to choose our challenges, but we can choose our response.Alex is no stranger to adversity. Throughout school he suffered epilepsy, stammering, extensive bullying and a subsequent lack of confidence. Aged 18, he made two attempts to climb Mount Everest in 2014 and 2015, when the expedition was aborted following an avalanche. Despite an 'ordinary' background, he raised the £35k expedition costs in just one year and returned in 2015 to survive an avalanche below Camp 1, triggered by the Nepal earthquake, sadly killing 22 people at base camp including 3 teammates. His debut book ''Icefall'' tells the story, endorsed by Bear Grylls.In July 2017 he became the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops in 72 days, a 5,000 mile journey by bike, foot and kayak and winning the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year 2017. Alex has raised over £100,000 total for charities through his challenges. His second book 'Another Peak' was published by Trigger Press in July 2019.Having suffered with episodes of mental ill health since being a teenager, he co-founded Mind Over Mountains in 2020, a mental health charity to help people restore mental health through outdoor experiences. He then ran the National Three Peaks Challenge - 452 miles in 9 days and 12 hours.You can find Alex on LinkedIn, email alex@alexstaniforth.com or via his website www.alexstaniforth.comOur mission is to help people develop their mental fitness so they can achieve more than they thought themselves capable of.Please join the conversation on Instagram @AntTaylor72 and @the_mental_fitness_podcastThe podcast music is “Where To Run” by Strength to Last. It’s created by the musical talent of Adrian Walther, a Canadian living in Nashville. Check out his music on Spotify and YouTube music.threefifty9.com