Levison Wood began his professional journey in the British Army, serving as an officer in the Parachute Regiment. Commissioned in 2006, Wood was deployed to war zones, including Afghanistan, gaining invaluable experience in leadership and resilience. His military background would later inform his approach to navigating some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Levison Wood | Exploration and Achievements

After leaving the army in 2010, Levison dedicated himself to exploration, undertaking expeditions to earn him international acclaim. Some of his most notable adventures include:

– Walking the Nile (2014): Wood trekked over 4,000 miles along the Nile River, documenting his journey and offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the people and cultures of North and East Africa.

– Walking the Himalayas (2015): This 1,700-mile trek across some of the world’s highest mountain ranges won the Edward Stanford Adventure Travel Book of the Year.

– Walking the Americas (2017): Spanning from Mexico to Colombia, this journey highlighted the rich diversity of Central America.

– Arabian Journey (2018): Wood retraced ancient trading routes across the Arabian Peninsula, showcasing its history and contemporary significance.

Levison Wood | TV

Levison has been on our screens since 2014, making programmes that share his adventures around the world. His TV series have been broadcast and distributed in over 100 countries worldwide. These include:

– Walking with… 2023   

– Expedition Borderlands with Levison Wood & Ash Bhardwaj 2023

– Walking with Elephants 2019

– Arabia with Levison Wood 2019

– From Russia to Iran: Crossing the Wild Frontier 2017

– Walking the Americas 2016

– Walking the Himalayas 2015

– Walking the Nile 2014

Levison Wood | Books

Levison has written 12 best-selling books about his journeys, including a motivational book called The Art of Exploration, which was released in June 2021. ‘Britain’s best-loved adventurer’ (The Times) talks about his secrets of discovery for the first time in this revealing manual of what it means to be an explorer in the modern age.

He shares his own stories and examples of pioneers in many fields, using their work to show how we can all develop our own explorer’s mindset and how these lessons can be applied in daily life. With chapters on curiosity, teamwork, resilience, and positivity, this book provides a tool kit—no matter your age or profession.

The 12 titles that Levison has published are:

– Walking the Nile

– Walking the Himalayas

– Walking the Americas

– Eastern Horizons

– Arabia: A Journey Through the Heart of the Middle East

– The Last Giants: The Rise and Fall of the African Elephant

– The Art of Exploration

– Endurance: 100 Tales of Survival, Adventure and Exploration

– Escape from Kabul: The Inside Story

– Encounters: A Photographic Journey

– Great Expeditions: 50 Journeys that Changed Our World

– The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century

Walking the Himalayas won Adventure Travel Book of the Year at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards (2016). Walking the Nile and Walking the Americas were both Sunday Times bestsellers. Eastern Horizons was shortlisted for the ESTWA adventure travel book of the year in 2018. ‘An Arabian Journey’ was one of Hudson Book’s top 10 books of the year in 2019.

Levison Wood | Speaker

He recently completed his third UK-wide speaking tour, also entitled ‘The Art of Exploration’. He often gives adventure-filled talks on leadership and teamwork to companies, charities, and universities.

Levison shares his amusing and poignant tales of life on the road and his transition from Parachute Regiment soldier to modern-day explorer. With further stories and behind-the-scenes moments from his journeys all over the world for Channel 4, Levison asks why we travel.

In addition to the people and places that have inspired him, he’ll reveal the perils of life on expeditions, what it’s like being chased by hippos, shot at by gunmen, falling off a mountain, and meeting illustrious figures such as the Dalai Lama along the way.

Levison Wood | Speaker Topics & Themes

Levison Wood offers engaging, bespoke keynote talks and fireside chats tailored to every audience. With captivating stories from his global adventures, he inspires teams and leaders to embrace the explorer’s mindset, whether navigating risk, leading innovation, or fostering collaboration. His talks are enhanced with videos and photos from his expeditions, ensuring every session is immersive, interactive, entertaining and impactful.

The Art of Exploration: Leadership lessons from the road less travelled

Synopsis: Drawing from his experiences navigating remote landscapes and challenging environments, Levison explores the critical traits of effective leadership: resilience, adaptability, and curiosity. Through his journey—whether crossing the Himalayas or walking the length of the Nile—he shares how leaders can thrive in uncertainty and lead teams through adversity.

Risk and Reward: The explorer’s approach to decision-making

Synopsis: In this dynamic talk, Levison dissects the importance of calculated risk-taking, both in expeditions and business. Using real-life anecdotes of facing danger in warzones, wild landscapes, and remote regions, he illustrates how to assess risk, embrace uncertainty, and make bold, informed decisions that lead to success.

Beyond Survival: Teamwork under pressure in extreme environments

Synopsis: Teamwork is essential when faced with life-threatening challenges. Levison discusses the power of collaboration in the toughest environments, sharing how diverse teams—whether military, scientific, or business—succeed by relying on trust, communication, and mutual respect.

Creativity Under Pressure: Finding innovative solutions in the field

Synopsis: In this talk, Levison shows how exploration forces one to think outside the box. From navigating unknown terrains to solving life-threatening problems, he demonstrates how an “explorer’s mindset” fosters creativity and innovation in the face of adversity.

The Explorer’s Mindset: Curiosity as a tool for personal and professional growth

Synopsis: Curiosity is a powerful driver of progress, both in exploration and in business. Levison shares his insights on how curiosity led him to the most awe-inspiring corners of the world and how embracing this trait can unlock opportunities, drive personal growth, and build stronger teams.

Photography: Capturing the Spirit of Adventure  

Synopsis: A seasoned photographer and Leica ambassador, Levison reveals how photography has played a key role in his adventures. In this visually rich talk, he shares his journey behind the lens, offering insights into how capturing the right moment can convey powerful messages about leadership, resilience, and the human spirit.

Conservation and Adventure: Exploring the world’s fragile ecosystems

Synopsis: Levison shares his experiences working alongside conservationists and exploring the world’s most endangered regions. Through captivating stories from his wildlife-focused expeditions, he delves into the importance of preserving our planet. He discusses how businesses and individuals can play an active role in environmental stewardship.

 All talks are designed to be adaptable, depending on the audience’s needs, and include vivid storytelling, engaging visuals, and opportunities for interactive discussions. Levison Wood’s fireside chats provide a more relaxed, informal setting for intimate storytelling and Q&A, making them a perfect option for leadership teams looking for deeper insights.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book explorer, writer and photographer Levison Wood for your next live event.

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