Ben Smith was born into a military family and sent to boarding school at a young age. It was here he first started being bullied for his sexuality which caused his low levels of confidence.

This had a massive effect on his mental health and he felt he couldn’t cope with what his life was at the time. As scary as it had seemed at the time, the TIA Ben suffered in his late 20’s made him change his life around. He put on his trainers and joined a local running club, which, in turn, motivated him to help others.

Ben Smith’s most famous accomplishment came with the 401 Challenge, an ambitious project where he set out to run 401 marathons over 401 consecutive days. The challenge began in September 2015 and ended in October 2016. This remarkable feat took him to various locations across the UK, where he ran the equivalent of nearly 10,500 miles.

The 401 Challenge aimed to raise awareness of bullying and its devastating effects and collect funds for two anti-bullying charities: Stonewall and Kidscape. Throughout the challenge, Ben raised over £330,000 for these charities.

Following the success of the 401 Challenge, Ben continued to use his platform to inspire others. He launched The 401 Foundation, a charity to support local community projects that promote physical and mental well-being, particularly for those affected by bullying and mental health issues.

Ben Smith | Highlights of Ben’s Journey

– Completing 401 marathons in 401 days, raising £330,000 for Stonewall and Kidscape

– Inspiring over 350,000 people with his talks around the world

– Winning the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and Pride of Britain National Fundraiser of the Year in 2016

Ben Smith | Overcoming Adversity

Ben’s story is one of triumph over adversity and it inspires and motivates all audiences. Ben brings to life the importance of respecting and accepting others no matter who they are.

Understanding that resilience is the key to overcoming difficult times in your life, and ultimately believing that the limitations we think we have, have only been put there by ourselves are impactful lessons to learn.

Ben Smith | Awards & Accolades

In recognition of his incredible achievement and contribution to charity, Ben received several awards and honors:

– Prime Minister Point of Light Award 2016 –  Every weekday, the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the Daily Point of Light award.

– Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award (2016). This prestigious award celebrated Ben’s dedication to raising awareness for anti-bullying and mental health and his physical accomplishment of running 401 marathons.

– BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award (2016).  This award recognised his outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

– National Fundraiser of the Year 2017 – awarded to Ben for his major contribution to fundraising.

– British Empire Medal (BEM).  In the 2020 New Year Honours, Ben was awarded the BEM for his services to charity and mental health awareness through the 401 Challenge.

Ben Smith | Motivational & Keynote Speaker

Ben’s unique approach leaves audiences not only inspired but ready to act.  His story becomes a mirror, reflecting back the power each person has to transform their own life, shift perspectives, and break down the barriers holding them back. 

Through engaging storytelling, Ben shows that our limits on ourselves are often illusions and that our true potential lies beyond those limits.

Ben Smith | Speaking Topics

From Darkness to Endurance: My Journey of 401 Marathons

Ben’s journey from struggling with his identity and mental health to completing one of the most extraordinary endurance feats ever attempted is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief.

 In this talk, Ben Smith takes audiences through his transformation, from hitting rock bottom to running 401 marathons in 401 days across the UK. 

He shares the highs and lows of his 10,000-mile journey, revealing how embracing vulnerability and stepping outside his comfort zone was the key to unlocking his true potential. 

 This session is a masterclass in overcoming adversity, showing teams that no challenge is insurmountable when you believe in yourself. 

Attendees leave with a renewed sense of what’s possible, inspired to reimagine their limits and take bold steps forward.

 Breaking Barriers: The Courage To Be Authentic

Finding the courage to live authentically was Ben Smith’s life’s hardest and most rewarding journey.  In this talk, he dives deep into his experiences hiding his true self and the inner battles that nearly cost him his life. 

Ben discusses how letting go of societal expectations and embracing his real identity transformed not just his life but also those around him. 

Through personal anecdotes and honest reflections, he challenges audiences to question where they might be holding back and encourages them to break free from the fear of judgment. 

This talk is perfect for teams and leaders wanting to foster an environment of inclusion and authenticity.  By the end, participants feel empowered to step into their true selves and create a culture where others feel safe to do the same.

 The Power of Choice: Redefining Possibility

Every life-changing transformation begins with a single decision.  In this inspiring talk, Ben Smith shares how pivotal choices have shaped his journey, from overcoming personal struggles to achieving the seemingly impossible.

He explores how choosing to take control of his life and run The 401 Challenge changed his path and inspired thousands along the way.  Ben highlights the power of everyday decisions, showing how even small choices can redefine what’s possible.

This talk encourages teams to take ownership of their actions, recognise their potential, and realise that their choices today can create extraordinary opportunities for the future.

 Unapologetically Me: Embracing Diversity & Inclusion

In a world that’s becoming more connected yet divided, understanding the value of diversity and inclusion is more important than ever. 

Ben Smith’s story of growing up in a society that marginalised his identity as a gay man offers powerful insights into the importance of acceptance, both self-acceptance and that of others.

This talk focuses on the challenges he faced in coming to terms with his sexuality, the barriers he overcame, and the importance of fostering environments where everyone feels they belong.

Ben illustrates how embracing diversity isn’t just about compliance; it’s about empowering individuals to bring their authentic selves to the table, which leads to stronger teams and more innovative thinking.

 Teams leave with a deeper understanding of how inclusion creates a powerful culture of trust and creativity and how embracing each other’s differences can drive success.

Ben Smith | the 401 Challenge Book

Ben put all his experiences with mental health and bullying into a book, 401: The Extraordinary Story of the Man Who Ran 401 Marathons in 401 Days and Changed His Life Forever in 2019.

It became a critical hit, inspiring readers with his commendable journey of a previously lost and broken man who discovered that anything is possible, if only you choose to search for what makes you truly happy.

Why Book Ben Smith?

Ben’s unique approach leaves audiences not only inspired but ready to act.  His story becomes a mirror, reflecting each person has power to transform their own life, shift perspectives, and break down the barriers holding them back. 

Through engaging storytelling, Ben shows that our limits on ourselves are often illusions and that our true potential lies beyond those limits.

A Chat with Speaker Ben Smith

As part of our ‘Chat with…’ podcast series at Great British Speakers, our director Jane Farnham sat down with Ben to talk about his experience of bullying, confidence and self-esteem, physical and mental health and wellbeing, and LGBTQ+. Find out more HERE.

Ben’s difficult life experiences have led him to where he is today. He has had to change his mindset and open himself up to new and exciting, and sometimes scary, opportunities.

As a speaker, Ben Smith is extremely open and honest, genuinely telling audiences about the good, the bad and the ugly of his life, and explaining how courage and determination can help the lives of many, not just your own.

Ben Smith – Anti-Bullying Campaigner, Ben’s story…

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book mental health and LGBTQ+ speaker Ben Smith for your corporate event. 

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