Adventurer Alastair Humphreys

Alastair Humphreys is one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year, an accomplished speaker and a best-selling author. Alastair’s expeditions are purposefully diverse but all underscore the belief that nothing is achieved without taking the bold step to start.

Alastair’s adventures have produced a wealth of inspiring stories and reflect his belief that by setting small targets, you can achieve incredible goals. Alastair has cycled around the globe, covering 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 also walked across southern India, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, run the Marathon des Sables, crossed 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, for 1,000 miles through the desert. In 2016, Alastair followed the footsteps of Laurie Lee by walking through Spain. While Lee played his violin in bars to pay for food, Alastair had no musical skill at all. Yet, undeterred, he set out to learn the violin and admitted he was ‘terrible’. Alastair faced his fears, left his money and credit cards at home, and busked in Spanish streets to complete the walk, and although often hungry, he didn't starve.

Alastair’s award-winning concept of microadventures—short, adventurous trips close to home—encourages people to embark on their own adventures and improve their physical health, mental well-being, and work-life balance. The message is clear: in every situation, you can focus on obstacles or look for opportunities. As Alastair says, microadventures encourage 5 to 9 thinking—an innovative approach that applies to much more than just adventure. This concept earned Alastair the title of one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year in 2012. Alastair’s books, blogs, videos, short films, photos, and social media platforms showcase his exceptional creativity and are enjoyed by an international audience.

A very popular corporate speaker, Alastair’s messages are authentic and hard-earned from tackling new challenges in different environments. Alastair consciously avoids becoming an expert in any single niche of adventure. Planning for varied expeditions requires not only careful consideration of upcoming challenges but also a willingness to accept that you can’t prepare for every eventuality and the courage to trust yourself to figure things out along the way. In an era of instant gratification, expeditions require a passion for long-term goals with a determined yet flexible attitude. Reviews from various sectors show that Alastair’s enthusiasm is contagious.

Feedback consistently highlights that Alastair’s talks entertain and deliver powerful messages about self-belief, creative thinking, innovation, change, finding opportunities within constraints, personal and team development, facing challenges, work-life balance, the rewards of risk, staying motivated, and setting small targets to achieve big goals. Corporate clients across all sectors value Alastair’s ability to creatively tailor his talk by drawing on his many adventures to meet their brief with an engaging, humorous style. All of his talks, accompanied by superb photos, demonstrate the power of positive thinking and provide the motivation and practical steps needed to start, make a change, and focus on important goals.

Alastair’s presentations are inspiring, down-to-earth, quick-witted, honest, and energetic. He challenges the audience to set more ambitious goals—to do more. He reminds everyone that nothing is achieved without taking bold steps and encourages people to believe in themselves and their potential.

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

Speaking Topics:

• Self-belief
• Creative thinking
• Motivation
• Innovation
• Change
• Finding opportunities within constraints
• Personal and team development
• Facing challenges

To book microadventurer Alastair Humphreys or for more information, contact our Entertainment Specialists today.