The 7th September is #SuperhumanDay – and it’s not too late to book your ‘super’ #motivationalspeaker.

None more so than Mental Health Campaigner and motivational speaker Alex Staniforth.

Over the last few weeks, motivational speaker Alex Staniforth has completed the National Three Peaks Challenge – this involves running up the three highest peaks in the UK and the entire distance between them in 9 days – the fastest known time.

This includes:

• Approx 440 miles total
• 44,000ft ascent – 1.5 times the height of Everest
• Approx. 50 miles average per day
• Self-supported as much as possible without a dedicated support vehicle

Below is the trailer for the record attempt

Alex says:

COVID-19 hasn’t just cancelled our races – lockdown has threatened our mental health more than ever, especially those with eating disorders.

I’m running to raise £10,000 for our new charity Mind Over Mountains which delivers life-changing outdoor experiences to restore well-being. Re-connecting with nature has never been more important after lockdown. Mind Over Mountains use the transformative power of the great outdoors with a holistic approach to develop positive well-being across the UK, through residential, day and virtual programmes. 

£10,000 would fund at least 12 ‘Reconnect Rambles’ programmes for 150 people to benefit from a day of guided hill-walking, virtual coaching and mindfulness. It would also provide bursaries for the unemployed, those on income support and front-line workers to take part. 

It took me longer to access NHS mental health support for an eating disorder than it did to cycle and run 5,000 miles around the highest county tops of the United Kingdom (72 days) in 2017. Spending time outdoors has been the most powerful support for managing my mental well-being, and I’m determined to help others access the same benefits too.

Relentless Forward Motion

The National Three Peaks Run – climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, and running over 450 miles between – in 9 days 12 hours 51 minutes!

17 marathons, 1.5 times the height of Everest and up to 50 miles per day. The challenge was postponed twice after conveniently spraining my ankle, three weeks before eventually starting on Friday 21st August. With Storm Francis, a peroneal tendon sprain, and being unable to run more than 10 metres due to tendinitis on day five, I’ve learnt just what the body and mind are capable of.

Sadly I missed the record time by just over an hour after exhaustion caught up with me on the final peak, Snowdon, and I fell asleep in a bus stop after a 3:00am final push … it was more important taking my time to get down to the finish safely. 

More importantly, thanks to your amazing support we hit the £10,000 target for Mind Over Mountains to restore mental health through outdoor experiences, especially after lockdown. This battle may be over, but many are still facing mental health battles and need our support.

You can donate to Alex’s Three Peaks Challenge on Givey.com HERE

Mind Over Mountains

Find out more about MIND OVER MOUNTAINS in this Great British Speakers news blog for earlier this year

How you can join in:

Mind Over Mountains has 4 programmes planned this year if you or anyone you know may benefit:

• Coniston, Lake District – 12th September
• Pistyll Rhaeadr, Berwyn Mountains – 26th September
• Edale, Peak District – 3rd October
• Malham, Yorkshire Dales – 17th October

Funded bursaries are available for the unemployed, frontline workers and those in difficult circumstances.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALEX GO TO HIS BIO PAGE HERE

To hire Alex to inspire your team around the difficult subject of mental health, contact Jane Farnham at Great British Speakers on 0044 1753 439 289 jane@greatbritishspeakers.co.uk