My name is James Benson-King, or for my cycling adventures 'The Biking Viking'. I am an Explorer, Event Speaker and Endurance Cyclist. I am dedicated to empowering individuals and organisations to embrace challenges, cultivate resilience, and foster problem-solving mindsets.
Show more
7 customer reviews
Graeme
Motivational Speaking
James was an excellent speaker, inspiring our teams.
We organised a department day with over 80 delegates and James was our inspiring guest speaker.
James is personable and friendly, tailoring his talk to inspire our teams. Some feedback from our delegates was, everyone enjoyed the talk and could relate to it, they enjoyed being able to chat with James after our event too. Thank you James.
James subtle approach took us through his adventures, with the underlying approaches and skills we can incorporate to achieve our goals, everyone appreciated this.
Its was a pleasure to work with James, I hope to again in the future.
Well done James.
More...
Jan Dreyer
Motivational Speaking
We invited James to speak during Mental Health Awareness Week, and he absolutely delivered something out of the box. His talk brilliantly merged valuable mental health insights with the incredible story of cycling 20,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina. It was not only incredibly informative but also genuinely entertaining. James was super engaging, and everyone had a fantastic time, with many colleagues lingering afterward to ask more questions. I'd give James a 10/10 and highly recommend him if you're looking for an educational and entertaining speaker. More...
Michelle Palmer
Motivational Speaking
James was a fantastic speaker to kick off our year. He tailored his experiences so that they were relatable in our investment background. We had some tech issues that he overcame easily and did not phase him during his session. He is also very prompt at answering any questions you have while planning the session and can cater for any level in the workplace. We received great feedback internally on the session and will definitely implement some of the tools he shared. I highly recommend working with James if you have the opportunity to do so! Good luck with the next challenge!! More...
Mike Meyrick
"James Benson-King, known as "The Biking Viking," delivers an awe-inspiring narrative that intertwines personal challenges with extreme adventures, leaving an indelible mark on his audience.
His journey from overcoming a severe childhood heart condition to embarking on a gruelling 20,000-mile cycle from Alaska to Argentina exemplifies a unique blend of resilience and sheer determination.
As a speaker, James brings a profound depth of insight from his high-stakes experience in JP Morgan’s Investment Banking Operations, complemented by his global cycling adventures. His humble demeanour, despite his vast achievements, resonates deeply, making his presentations not only motivating but also profoundly relatable. James is a master at captivating his audience, weaving humour and vulnerability into his storytelling, which makes his message of resilience and triumph over adversity not just heard but felt."
More...
Conor Newman
I thoroughly enjoyed the session, the way in which James was able to apply the soft skills learnt from his time in the Financial Industry into such an extreme challenge is very thought provoking. It certainly made me very inspired to push myself out of my comfort zone more. The audience were engaged throughout, and I haven’t seen so many questions asked in a speaker event before, which speaks volumes to the type of audience James’ story brings. I would thoroughly recommend James for more events and hopefully we will be able to bring him back at some point in the future! More...
Ali Khan
I found the session inspirational, and it was great to takeaway a few points such as finding a higher purpose, having accountability, importance of preparation as well as staying flexible, trusting people and above all grit / endurance. What we didn’t call out specifically but was evident anyway is the power of habit – you got up and continued with the same routine which helped accomplish your goals More...
Andrew E
I had the privilege of attending a keynote speaker event with James in Bournemouth. James’ presentation was not only insightful, but incredibly engaging and full of passion. His achievements from cycling from Alaska to Argentina really is incredible and to hear the story first hand was inspirational. There were some valuable takeaways, and the presentation really did hit the mark and was on topic. I would thoroughly recommend James as a keynote speaker, his interactive story telling kept the audience captivated from the start to finish. More...
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job as an event speaker is the opportunity to connect with diverse audiences and share stories that inspire and empower them. Every event brings a unique energy, and I thrive on engaging with people, whether it’s through discussing resilience or offering practical techniques that I've learnt whilst cycling across continents. Seeing the light bulb moments in the crowd, when an idea resonates, is what makes it all worthwhile.
What inspired you to start your own business?
My journey from the corporate world to cycling across continents inspired me to start my own business. I wanted to channel the lessons I learned about resilience, determination, and overcoming challenges into something meaningful. Speaking allows me to share these experiences with others in a way that can inspire real change, especially for teams and leaders looking to grow.
Why should our clients choose you?
Clients should choose me because I bring a unique combination of corporate experience and extreme endurance challenges to the table. I know firsthand how to handle high-pressure environments and teach resilience in a way that’s engaging, practical, and memorable. I focus on delivering actionable takeaways, all while keeping the audience entertained and motivated.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes, I offer my speaking services remotely via platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. I adapt my talks to fit virtual formats, ensuring the same level of engagement and interaction as in-person events.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
In light of Covid-19, I’ve made virtual presentations available if the business wishes. For in-person events, I follow strict safety protocols, including social distancing and mask-wearing where necessary, to ensure everyone’s safety.
Event Speaking Topics
Below are my main speaking topics:
Cultivate your own resilience:
Audiences will learn how to develop their own resilience, stay focused on their goals, and push through even the toughest obstacles.
Effective problem-solving pathways:
Teaches audiences practical strategies for overcoming challenges, thinking creatively under pressure, and turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
Unlock your leadership potential:
Discover key strategies to enhance your leadership skills, inspire your team, and drive impactful results, whether you're leading a project or an entire organization.
