Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom
I'm an endurance explorer and keynote speaker focused on human performance in extreme environments. Over the past few years, I've cycled more than 30,000 km across the Americas, completed ultra-endurance races, and set a Guinness World Record in the Indian Himalayas. My work is centred around long expeditions that explore resilience, preparation, decision-making, and sustained performance. I am currently preparing for Pedal The Impossible, an attempt to become the first person to cycle solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Alongside my expeditions, I deliver keynote talks for organisations, schools, and leadership events, translating my lessons learnt from extreme environments into practical insights on resilience, leadership, and pushing beyond perceived limits. My work is rooted in a belief that ordinary people are capable of far more than they often realise, and that challenge can be a powerful tool for growth, perspective, and self-discovery. This belief comes from my own journey having been diagnosed with a heart condition which I dealt with and overcame throughout my childhood. Previously known on social media as @bikingvikingrides, I continue to document the realities of endurance, exploration, and expedition life through storytelling, film, and media.
Plan and lead cycling challenges and adventures, providing expert guidance on routes, equipment, and training. Create branded content, support participants, and deliver engaging talks on resilience, goal-setting, and personal growth. Represent the brand in-person and online, driving partnerships and storytelling initiatives.
James Benson-King is an endurance explorer and keynote speaker focused on human performance in extreme environments. His work combines long-duration expeditions, storytelling, and speaking, using real-world experiences to explore resilience, decision-making, leadership, and sustained performance under pressure. Over the past several years, James has cycled more than 30,000 km across the Americas, completed ultra-endurance races, and set a Guinness World Record in the Indian Himalayas. He is currently preparing for Pedal The Impossible. An attempt to become the first person to cycle solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Alongside expeditions, James delivers keynote talks for organisations, schools, and leadership events, translating lessons from extreme environments into practical insights for teams and individuals operating in uncertain and demanding conditions.
Settlements Manager
Settlements Manager
Reconciliations Manager
- Oct 2016 - Apr 2017 - 6 Month Travel Break (Took 6 months out solo travelling and focusing on my passions in photography and videography) - Apr 2017 - Aug 2017 - Australia Rural Farm Work (Trusted to operate a New Holland Air Seeder worth $1M+) - Aug 2017 - Oct 2017 - 3 Month Travel Break (Drove over 20,000km around Australia from Perth to Cairns) - Apr 2018 - Jul 2018 - Australia Rural Farm Work (Invited to return to the farm) - Jul 2018 - Sep 2018 - 2 Month Travel Break (Returned to the UK via Europe)
Returned to JP Morgan in a similar temporary capacity before my planned travel break. - Drove the control agenda across Derivative Operations in the Bournemouth Hub - Trusted to coordinate an external regulatory exam for Derivative Operations - Defined and designed procedures for documenting, testing and maintaining SOX Controls - Successfully developed and implemented a new quality assurance program