'A great story delivered in a really natural way, one of the best speakers we've had.'
JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Ltd
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WIKIPEDIA
BIOGRAPHY
Mark Beaumont holds the Guinness record for cycling an 18,000 mile circumnavigation of the world.
Through an unbeatable display of sheer determination, the Scotsman crossed the finish line at the Arc de Triomphe after 18,297 miles and in just 194 days, beating the previous record by 82 days.
The challenge began as a bid to raise money and awareness for a number of community and welfare charities in the UK and abroad. Mark's epic journey was tracked in an online BBC documentary, covering the seven month race through 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America.
Not content with his round-the-world adventure, Mark cycled the length of North and South America, stopping off en route to climb the continents' highest peaks. His story was covered on the BBC documentary series The Man Who Cycled The Americas.
Continually seeking out new challenges, Mark's talk encompasses foreign encounters, physical hardship and smashing a world record.
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TOPICS
Peak Performance, Overcoming Adversity
SPEECH TITLES
Setting achievable goals
FEE BANDS
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
£2.5K TO £5K
AFTER DINNER SPEAKERS
£2.5K TO £5K
Q&A
JLA: What can a sales manager learn from a round-the-world cyclist?
MB: Mental endurance and rational choice is key in what I do, and equally applicable in any job involving risk management and consistent work outputs. My story is not really about cycling, it's about managing a project. The underlying message is about having the right outlook, the right team and the right strategy - all as relevant to the corporate world as they were in achieving my world record.
JLA: How did you manage to pick yourself up when you felt like giving up?
MB: I never felt like giving up. It's all about perspective. Two people see the same thing and one views it as a challenge, the other sees failure. Expeditions teach you how to focus on the things that keep you going. Enjoy the journey and never let the big picture scare you off your path.
JLA: Can fear be channeled in a positive direction?
MB: Pure fear can cause confusion. However, you can learn to think about situations differently and proceed rationally, which stops the same fear arising. In hostile environments you need to focus on what you can affect and try not to waste energy on those factors which are out of your control.
JLA: How do you cope with only very limited resources at your disposal?
MB: The human mind loves routine. However hard something is, it gets easier through repetition. Cycling around the world I lived rough for half a year, with minimal kit - but it was sustainable because I had built a routine.
JLA: Do you believe your presentation has a lasting impact?
MB: My story is very accessible; it is not about crossing ice caps or climbing a mountain, it's based on riding a bike - which everyone can do. And I think people respond to the call to set their own targets, rather than just trying to beat the current standard.