Ash started work as a lifeguard, earning money to fund his first trip, which was to China. In 2014, at the age of 24, he became the first person to trek alone through Mongolia, completing the 1,500-mile trip in 78 days. Sir Ranulph Fiennes stated that “this young man’s completion of a ‘first’ solo trek across Mongolia, from the Altai to the Steppe, will have proved both physically and mentally challenging and is an example of great determination”.
Travelling from West to East, he travelled through the Gobi desert, across the Mongolian Steppe and over the Altai Mountains. Dragged behind him was his equipment, the only supplies he had to survive. This weighed 120 kilogrammes and made it difficult for him to maintain his energy. Despite the treacherous journey, Ash was also at risk from other dangers; these included Grey Wolves, snow blizzards, sandstorms, severe heat exhaustion, snakes, semi-wild dogs and loneliness. Ash persevered, and even knocked 22 days off of his expected journey time.
With a taste for adventure, it was only two years before Ash was breaking world records once again. Despite contracting Malaria, being held up by the Military, bitten by spiders and avoided bandits, Ash’s adventure through Madagascar proved to be one of his best yet. At a pinnacle point in his adventure, Ash, atop a crudely built raft, was even almost swept away by a crocodile-infested river. But Ash was in Madagascar for reasons other than to put his life at risk, he was there to raise awareness. Partnered with the Lemur Network Conservation, he documented the influential work being done to preserve the countries imperative ecosystem.
On the 12th of August 2019, Ash completed his third world-first record; a 352 day, 4,000-mile mission across the Yangtze. Though every one of the 8 million steps Ash walked each brought their own challenge, he persevered despite the sub-zero temperatures and dangerous landscapes, thanks to his mental and physical training.
With three adventures under his belt, Ash has a wealth of stories to share as a motivational speaker. Revered across the country, he frequently shares his stories from every corner of the globe with enthralled guests. Ash inspires each member of his audience to question their own capabilities, and push their mental and physical comfort zone to the limits.
