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Unwilling to get a ‘proper job’ in 2005, James teamed up
with TV adventurer Ben Fogle and set off in a 7m boat to race across the
Atlantic. Despite their ocean-rowing inexperience, coming second was
never an option for James, and after 49 torturous days at sea, the pair
were first to arrive in Antigua. On their return, James and Ben wrote
the critically acclaimed The Crossing and the BBC transmitted RTS
award-winning documentary series Through Hell and High Water.
But the Atlantic Rowing Race had also raised funds for
Children in Need and at the start of 2008 James came up with the idea of
pushing himself to his limits once again for charity, this time in
collaboration with Sport Relief. Entirely under his own steam James
rowed The Channel; cycled down through France and Spain and finally swam
The Straits of Gibraltar, accompanied by comedian David Walliams. It
took him a mere ten days to cover just under 1500 miles and raise
£340,000.
By the end of the year, he was ready for another
challenge and it proved to be his toughest yet. In December 2008 he set
off with former team-mate Ben Fogle and Dr. Ed Coats (the winner of a
nationwide search) to take part in the inaugural Amundsen Omega3 South
Pole Race. Suffering frost-bite, infected blisters, dramatic
weight-loss, pneumonia and exhaustion, the team traversed the 473.6
miles, coming second only to a pair of Norwegian polar experts. The BBC
showed a 6 x 1 hour, prime-time Sunday night series of the adventure in
summer 2009 ‘On Thin Ice’. The show proved so popular it will be
repeated in the winter. The series was accompanied by a self-penned book
of the race, Race to the Pole (MacMillan).
James’ outstanding sporting achievements and challenge
experiences, combined with intelligence and sense of humour make him a
popular choice of corporate speaker. James speaks with an eloquent and
relaxed yet informative style and offers a fresh approach to corporate
speaking which is always well received. James has motivated and
entertained many blue chip clients including Morgan Stanley, KPMG and
GlaxoSmithKline.
James is happy to work to a client's brief and will
incorporate specific messages or even tailor his existing material to
highlight certain business areas, if preferred. However his standard
presentation, that is naturally adapted with each individual audience in
mind, is truly inspiring and he never fails to engage his audience.
Topics can include the Olympics, the Atlantic
Row Race, his Sport Relief Cross Continent Challenge and the South Pole
Race.
Key Points can include:
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Teamwork,
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Dedication,
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Responsibility,
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Drive,
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Sacrifice,
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Overcoming setbacks,
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Maintaining,
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Excellence
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Responding to
pressure.
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