The Rut

Alex Staniforth: How I survived the two biggest consecutive disasters in Mount Everest history

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Episode notes

This week, I’m joined by an extraordinary human being. Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete, international motivational speaker, author and mental health activist. All at the age of 25!!!

But Alex’s story hasn’t always been so rosy. He got into extreme challenges and adventures because he was bullied at school, suffered with epilepsy,  suffered brutal depression and still challenges with eating disorders that affect his day to day life. However Alex knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity, having experienced the two biggest consecutive disasters in Mount Everest history, including the 2015 Nepal earthquake which trapped him on the mountain for two days. In July 2017 he became the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops and won the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year 2017.

In 2020 he ran the National Three Peaks Challenge, covering 452 miles in just 9 days 12 hours. Having suffered with mental health challenges since a teenager, he co-founded Mind Over Mountains, a mental health charity to help others restore mental well-being naturally through outdoor experiences.

If you’re looking for reading material too, Alex is the author of two books; Icefall which is about the true story of his failed attempt at climbing Everest at 18 and Another Peak, the story of his record breaking challenge to climb all 100 UK country tops.

So, Alex, it’s a pleasure to welcome you to The Rut. As Always, please leave all judgement at the door.



Alex's books
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