11 Popular Explorer & Adventure Speakers Ranked for 2025
You don’t earn the title of ‘world's best explorer’ for nothing. These adventurers have travelled to the Earth’s corners, by foot, boat and bike, to deserve their place amongst the greats. Considering that 50% of the earth's surface is untouched by humans, the unique insight of these speakers is unmatched.
Who Are the Top Adventure & Exploration Speakers to Hire?
Our expert booking agents have secured hundreds of explorers as motivational speakers at events. Following the collection of vetted event poll data, from over 250 exploration-themed events between 2021 and 2024, Jack Hayes has shared the official top 11 adventure & exploration speakers to hire, below:
- Nirmal Purja
- Alastair Humphreys
- Ranulph Fiennes
- George Bullard
- Hannah Jenner
- Ash Dykes
- Ann Daniels
- Bear Grylls
- Bonita Norris
- Rebecca Stephens
- Andy Kirkpatrick
1. Nirmal Purja - 10/10
Star of Netflix's Film 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible
This is what I do. I'm here to break boundaries, that's my job. Human performance and endeavour. That's my job.
Nirmal is a Guinness World Record-holding adventurer, with a particular passion for scaling the tallest mountains around the globe. The former Ghurka and SBS member speaks on the importance of risk management and teamwork.
2. Alastair Humphreys - 9.8/10
Atlantic Rower Who Travelled 46,000 Miles by Bicycle
But that was good enough for me, because adventure doesn’t always have to be about climbing K2. Just getting out there and doing something is sometimes good enough. You should compare it with the realistic alternative that faces most people with busy lives and tight diaries, which is doing no adventure at all.
Alastair is one of the most popular British adventurers available to book. He has spoken for the likes of Google, HSBC and the Special Forces, among many other global companies. The author and podcast host rose to fame after he rowed across the Atlantic and traversed Iceland.
3. Ranulph Fiennes - 9.7/10
'World's Greatest Living Explorer'
But, by the end of four dark days, we had logged eleven northerly miles. This would not sound very impressive except to someone who has also pulled a load in excess of his own bodyweight overpressure rubble in the dark and at a temperature of –40°C.
Ranulph is widely considered one of the world's greatest explorers, and it is not hard to see why. He has traversed some of the planet Earth's most challenging terrains, like Antarctica and the Sahara Desert. Ranulph is living proof that resilience and determination can lead to incredible results.
4. George Bullard - 9.5/10
Swam 1,374 Miles Through Shark-Infested Water
Some of my worst experiences were just being genuinely scared that my castle, my home, my tent was going to collapse and be blown away like a plastic bag in the wind during some strong storms up in the Arctic. That feeling of vulnerability is something that humans don’t feel very often.
George is a world record-breaking adventurer, who was described by the previously listed speaker, Ranulph Fiennes, as 'genuinely ground-breaking'. After completing the Norwegian quadrathlon, George went on to swim through shark-infested waters and cross the Greenland icecap.
5. Hannah Jenner - 9.5/10
First Female Skipper in Round the World Yacht Race
[I’m] spreading a message, that’s a very important one, about how to be greener and cleaner when you’re running your boat, when you’re running a Regatta, and showing people just how easy it is to do [...] it doesn’t take that much of a change to be more efficient.
Hannah is an inspirational sailor and motivational speaker. She was the first female skipper in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, and ultimately finished on the podium. As a team leader, Hannah often discusses the importance of leadership, particularly in the workplace which can often be as fast-paced as the ocean.
6. Ash Dykes - 9.4/10
Earned 3 ‘World’s Firsts’ (Mongolia, Madagascar, Yangtze)
[Upon trekking the Yangtze] This has been more than a personal achievement - it is unlocking human potential and showcasing that, in a world where every corner of the planet is occupied by people, there are still things that haven’t been done.
Ash is a multiple world record-breaking adventurer, and has established himself as a globally-renowned solo trekker. Over thousands of miles, Ash learned the importance of self-discipline, mental resilience and determination, characteristics that are easily transferred to the workplace.
7. Ann Daniels - 9.1/10
Led the First Women’s Ski Team to the South Pole
My most favourite place on Earth is the Arctic Ocean, where the surface underneath your feet moves constantly and changes every moment of the day. A few years ago, I attempted to reach the North Pole from land, in the hopes of becoming the first all women’s team to walk to the North and South Poles.
Ann is an environmental champion and nationally renowned adventurer. She made history in 2000 when she joined the first all-female team to ski across the South Pole, battling freezing temperatures and dangerous storms. This experience makes Ann an experienced mental resilience speaker.
8. Bear Grylls - 8.9/10
Former SAS & TV Adventurer on Man vs Wild
I started to get so many letters from unlikely people. A single mum going, “I watch your show, I’m not into survival, but I hold down four jobs, and I get it when you say it’s about persistence and putting a positive attitude into things during difficult times.” That for me was a great liberator.
Bear is arguably one of the most recognisable adventurers, not just in the UK but around the world. He served in the 21 SAS, a group of soldiers famed for their deadly determination. Later taking to the screen, Bear starred in The Island and Running Wild, two programmes that showcased his survival skills.
9. Bonita Norris - 8.8/10
Former Youngest Woman To Summit Mount Everest
The mountains have taught me so much about my own strength, endurance and how taking small steps can make big dreams come true. But they have also taught me that sometimes it can take just as much courage to step away from something as it does to blindly carry on.
Bonita was named the youngest person to summit Mount Everest, a title that kickstarted her adventuring career. She later became the first British woman to summit Mount Lhotse. As a speaker, Bonita reflects on these experiences, to engage and motivate audiences.
10. Rebecca Stephens - 8.8/10
First British Woman To Summit Mount Everest
On Everest, I gained unexpected insights into the human condition that reach far beyond the mountains. Everest stripped away any superficialities, revealing only that which matters: head, heart, and values – and honestly, I don’t think there is any greater teacher of leadership and of working together as a team.
Rebecca has led a long and successful career as both an explorer and the deputy editor of The Financial Times. Also an accomplished author, her book The Seven Summits of Success proves the power of mental resilience in the face of high-pressure situations.
11. Andy Kirkpatrick
Fearless Mountaineer & Fundraiser
You should fall because you fail to do the move, not because you fail to try the move.
Andy is a speaker with a stage presence unlike any other. His climbing career has taken him all over the world, visiting challenging terrains in Patagonia, the Alps, Alaska and Antarctica. At events, Andy truly engages audiences with his high-energy personality and outstanding anecdotes.
Hire an Adventure & Exploration Speaker for Your Event!
By hiring an explorer and adventure speaker, you are securing insight into human potential. These speakers offer a unique outlook that can be applied to your employees' day-to-day lives, whether they are scaling a mountain or navigating a boardroom. To hire a speaker, contact us by filling in our online contact form or by calling a booking agent directly on 0207 0787 876.
This article focusing on the top adventure & exploration speakers to hire was written by Jack Hayes, by analysing vetted event poll data, from over 250 exploration-themed events between 2021 and 2024.
