Charlie Walker is an explorer, writer and public speaker from the UK. He specialises in long distance, human-powered expeditions to develop an intimate understanding of the world’s most remote communities.
Charlie has travelled over 60,000 miles by foot, bicycle, horse, raft, ski and dugout canoe.
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6 customer reviews
Dan
Charlie gave our company a really inspiring talk about his travels and the challenges contained within. The stories he has to tell are really awe inspiring and truly captivating. I can't recommend him enough for a dose of fun and serious escapism, only downside is that half of us wanted to get on a plane and go to some far-flung destination immediately after. More...
Warren Shute
Charlie Walker is an extraordinary speaker who captivates audiences with his incredible stories of adventure and resilience.
His ability to transport listeners to the farthest corners of the world through his vivid storytelling is nothing short of remarkable.
Each time Charlie has spoken for my audience, he has left them inspired, motivated, and reflecting deeply on their own journeys—both literal and metaphorical. Charlie doesn’t just share tales of exploration; he delivers profound insights into the human spirit, determination, and the rewards of stepping outside your comfort zone.
He’s a true adventurer and an exceptional communicator, and I wholeheartedly recommend him as a speaker who will engage, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
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Jonathan Gibson
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Charlie Walker for several years and have heard him speak at events hosted by Dimensional Fund Advisors and The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Each time, Charlie has captivated the audience with his extraordinary stories and deep insights. His ability to weave adventure, resilience, and human connection into his talks is truly remarkable. Charlie’s authenticity and passion resonate long after the event, leaving audiences inspired and reflective. I can’t recommend him highly enough as a speaker who not only engages but profoundly impacts those who hear him. More...
Paul Cleworth
Charlie is a class act. A gentleman, well spoken, intelligent and a great public speaker and author. He has entertained my clients once and we're having him back in 2025! Charlie is a consumate professional and I have no hesitation in recommending him to others. More...
Colin Anderson
We had the pleasure of working with Charlie for our annual dinner in Edinburgh and he was an absolute sensation.
Not only a brilliant and captivating speaker, he is also a really fabulous person to work with.
I left in awe of his story and so did the 200 members at our dinner. So if you have the opportunity to get Charlie long, he has been one of our best speakers ever.
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Ben
Charlie delivered an incredibly fascinating talk to our team as part of our "Expand Your Horizons" initiative. The session, held online, brought together team members from various countries, backgrounds, and interests. Charlie's engaging and insightful presentation drew from his wealth of experiences, offering valuable lessons on overcoming adversity. While the talk was already impressive virtually, I have no doubt that Charlie would be even more impactful in person. Thank you for an outstanding team event! More...
Motivational Speaker
Charlie's speeches inspire audiences to challenge themselves in all aspects of life by identifying their passions, setting ambitious targets and striving towards them. Keen to share lessons learned from the wilderness, Charlie’s talks incorporate numerous themes including perseverance, goal-setting, positive failure, leadership, teamwork and resilience. Charlie welcomes the opportunity to discuss requirements so he can tailor his talk for your organisation.
A specialist in gruelling, long-distance journeys, Charlie Walker has completed numerous daring expeditions to some of the remotest regions on the planet. Over the course of 60,000 miles of human-powered travel, Charlie has navigated exhaustion, self-doubt, accusations of espionage in Iran, malaria in the Congo, frostbite in Tibet, war in Afghanistan, imprisonment in Russia, mob attack in Ethiopia, near drownings in New Guinea and elephant chases in Botswana.
Charlie’s longest challenge was an ambitious 4-year bicycle journey through 60 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. In 2017 he completed a world-first triathlon spanning all 5,200 miles of the geographical Europe-Asia border. This journey was both a demanding physical challenge and an exploration into cultural identities and what, if anything, the supposed continental divide means in the modern world. In 2022 Charlie spent two months hiking along frozen rivers and over Arctic sea ice in Northeast Siberia during which Russia invaded Ukraine. He endured temperatures as low as -50ºC and the journey culminated with one month in a prison cell after a sham trial in a kangaroo court.
Charlie has also crossed Papua New Guinea twice by foot and raft, achieved a first ascent of a mountain in Kyrgyzstan, walked 1,000 miles solo across the Gobi desert, horse trekked across Mongolia, and paddled a dugout canoe down a crocodile-infested river in the Congo.
