Alex Staniforth is no stranger to overcoming adversity.
In 2017 the ultra-endurance adventurer became the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops by bicycle, foot and kayak, covering over 5,000 miles in 72 days. By the age of 25 he has already made two attempts to summit Mount Everest as a teenager, survived two days trapped in the 2015 Nepal earthquake, authored 2 books and founded a mental health charity – after overcoming epilepsy, stammering, anxiety and bullying in early life. He is now dedicated to helping others to overcome their own “Everest” as a motivational speaker with over 200 presentations across the UK and Europe.
In 2016 his first book Icefall was endorsed by Bear Grylls, and his second book Another Peak: Everest is Not the Only Summit was published in 2019. In August 2020 he ran the National Three Peaks – climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon, and running the entire 452 miles between in 9 days 12 hours, the second fastest time. His challenges have raised over £100,000 for charities and he won the 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. He is now based in Kendal, England and is regularly found running in the fells and local trails – serving as an ambassador for The Westgrove Group, YHA England & Wales, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports and an Ordnance Survey ‘Get Outside’ Champion 2020.