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Keynote SpeakerBen Smith

Social entrepreneur, mental health charity founder, award winning global adventurer, fundraiser, author and inspirational speaker

Discover the extraordinary journey of Ben Smith, a story of resilience, transformation, and redefining what’s possible. Ben’s life wasn’t always one of triumph. Struggling with bullying, mental health challenges, and hiding his sexuality, he faced despair that led to two suicide attempts. At 29, a mini-stroke forced him to confront... Read more

Topics

Popular Talks

From Darkness to Endurance: My Journey of 401 Marathons
Breaking Barriers: The Courage To Be Authentic
The Power of Choice: Redefining Possibility
Unapologetically Me: Embracing Diversity & Inclusion

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Biography

Ben didn’t just start running, he redefined what endurance means. In 2015, he embarked on The 401 Challenge: running 401 marathons in 401 days across the UK, covering over 10,000 miles and raising more than £330,000 for anti-bullying charities. The impact went beyond the miles. His story of courage touched the hearts of countless people, showing them how to push past their own limits and find strength in the struggle.

Highlights of Ben’s journey include:
– Completing 401 marathons in 401 days, raising £330,000 for Stonewall and Kidscape.
– Inspiring over 350,000 people with his talks around the world.
– Winning the BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award and Pride of Britain National Fundraiser of the Year in 2016.

Ben’s talks are more than just presentations, they’re a powerful experience. With warmth, humour, and raw honesty, he dives deep into how overcoming adversity can unlock untapped potential. His message goes beyond resilience; it’s about embracing who you are, facing your fears, and knowing that real change starts with the decision to step forward, no matter how daunting the path ahead seems.

Ben’s unique approach leaves audiences not only inspired but ready to act. His story becomes a mirror, reflecting back the power each person has to transform their own life, shift perspectives, and break down the barriers holding them back. Through engaging storytelling, Ben shows that the limits we place on ourselves are often illusions and that beyond those limits lies our true potential.

"What a fantastic session. I knew what was coming but it still gave me the chills and most importantly hope. And please thank Ben that he was so kind to stay on over and above what we had booked." Boots

"Ben's a really great speaker and makes his story even more interesting with some little jokes too! I think the story touched everyone in many different ways which was really nice and someone also said he’s the best speaker we’ve had so far." Policy Expert

"Yesterday went down fantastically, thank you so much! Feedback on Ben included how down to earth, relatable and moving his story was. It's certainly sparked some food for thought across the wider business." Sunbelt Rentals

"You could hear a pin drop throughout the talk, students were actively listening and hooked on what was being said. There was no seat shuffling, quiet chatter or looking around the room as you sometimes get in talks. Ben was a very powerful speaker and he engaged the students throughout." Poole Grammar School

Popular Talks by Ben Smith

From Darkness to Endurance: My Journey of 401 Marathons
Ben’s journey from struggling with his identity and mental health to completing one of the most extraordinary endurance feats ever attempted is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief. In this talk, Ben takes audiences through his transformation, how he went from hitting rock bottom to running 401...

Ben’s journey from struggling with his identity and mental health to completing one of the most extraordinary endurance feats ever attempted is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief. In this talk, Ben takes audiences through his transformation, how he went from hitting rock bottom to running 401 marathons in 401 days across the UK. He shares the highs and lows of his 10,000 mile journey, revealing how embracing vulnerability and stepping outside his comfort zone was the key to unlocking his true potential. This session is a masterclass in overcoming adversity, showing teams that no challenge is insurmountable when you believe in yourself. Attendees leave with a renewed sense of what’s possible, inspired to reimagine their own limits and take bold steps forward.
Breaking Barriers: The Courage To Be Authentic
Finding the courage to live authentically was the hardest and most rewarding journey of Ben’s life. In this talk, he dives deep into his experiences of hiding his true self and the inner battles that nearly cost him his life. Ben discusses how letting go of societal expectations and embracing...

Finding the courage to live authentically was the hardest and most rewarding journey of Ben’s life. In this talk, he dives deep into his experiences of hiding his true self and the inner battles that nearly cost him his life. Ben discusses how letting go of societal expectations and embracing his real identity transformed not just his own life, but also the lives of those around him. Through personal anecdotes and honest reflections, he challenges audiences to question where they might be holding back and encourages them to break free from the fear of judgment. This talk is perfect for teams and leaders wanting to foster an environment of inclusion and authenticity. By the end, participants feel empowered to step into their true selves and create a culture where others feel safe to do the same.
The Power of Choice: Redefining Possibility
Every life changing transformation begins with a single decision. In this inspiring talk, Ben shares how pivotal choices have shaped his journey, from overcoming personal struggles to achieving the seemingly impossible. He explores how choosing to take control of his life and run The 401 Challenge not only changed his...

Every life changing transformation begins with a single decision. In this inspiring talk, Ben shares how pivotal choices have shaped his journey, from overcoming personal struggles to achieving the seemingly impossible. He explores how choosing to take control of his life and run The 401 Challenge not only changed his own path but inspired thousands along the way. Ben highlights the power of everyday decisions, showing how even small choices can redefine what’s possible. This talk encourages teams to take ownership of their actions, recognise their potential, and realise that their choices today can create extraordinary opportunities for the future.
Unapologetically Me: Embracing Diversity & Inclusion
In a world that’s becoming more connected yet more divided, understanding the value of diversity and inclusion is more important than ever. Ben’s story of growing up in a society that marginalised his identity as a gay man offers powerful insights into the importance of acceptance, both self acceptance and...

In a world that’s becoming more connected yet more divided, understanding the value of diversity and inclusion is more important than ever. Ben’s story of growing up in a society that marginalised his identity as a gay man offers powerful insights into the importance of acceptance, both self acceptance and that of others. This talk focuses on the challenges he faced in coming to terms with his sexuality, the barriers he overcame, and the importance of fostering environments where everyone feels they belong. Ben illustrates how embracing diversity isn’t just about compliance, it’s about empowering individuals to bring their authentic selves to the table, which leads to stronger teams and more innovative thinking. Teams leave with a deeper understanding of how inclusion creates a powerful culture of trust and creativity, and how embracing each other’s differences can drive success.