Ben Saunders

Ben Saunders has established himself as a record-breaking polar explorer and public speaker, known for navigating immense polar distances and sharing his experiences with global audiences. After achieving the longest human-powered polar journey in history, Ben Saunders established himself as a record-breaking polar explorer and endurance athlete. Between October 2013 and February 2014, Saunders, alongside Tarka L’Herpiniere, completed an unprecedented 1,800-mile (2,888 km) return journey to the South Pole on foot via Shackleton and Scott’s route, dragging 440 pounds of supplies over 108 days. This monumental expedition marked the first time this feat was accomplished.

Earlier in his career, Saunders became the youngest person to ski solo to the North Pole in 2004, spending 72 days alone on the Arctic Ocean, an achievement which also secured the record for the longest solo Arctic journey by a Briton. Prior to this, he completed a 240 km solo round-trip to the North Pole from the Barneo ice station in April 2003, and in 2001, reached close to 87° North during an attempt from Arctic Cape, Siberia. In total, he has covered more than 4,500 miles on foot in the polar regions. Leveraging his unparalleled experiences in extreme environments, Saunders has become a highly sought-after public speaker, delivering three main-stage TED appearances that have garnered over five million views.

Through his diverse work as a record-breaking explorer, compelling speaker, and committed environmentalist, Saunders continues to inspire and challenge perspectives on human capability and the imperative of preserving our planet.