Available to book
Ben Smith
Resilience
Mental Health
LGBTQ+
Transform workplace resilience with Ben Smith, speaker on mental health and endurance. Ben works with organisations to overcome adversity and build inclusive cultures, delivering powerful insights from his record-breaking 401 marathons that raised £330,000 for anti-bullying charities.
Personal Wellbeing
Inspirational
IDAHOBIT
Mental Health Awareness
Athlete
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 his life head on. But instead of giving up, Ben chose to change everything, turning his pain into a mission that would inspire and uplift thousands. 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.
Topics, sessions and talks
Ben Smith’s journey from struggling with identity and mental health to completing 401 marathons in 401 days is a testament to resilience and self-belief. Ben shares how he overcame personal battles, transforming his lowest moments into a record-breaking 10,000-mile challenge across the UK. Through candid insights, he reveals how vulnerability and stepping beyond comfort zones can unlock hidden potential. Audiences gain inspiration to reimagine their own limits and take bold strides forward.
For Ben Smith, finding the courage to live authentically was a hard-fought, transformative journey. Drawing from his own struggles with hiding his identity, he explores how embracing his true self changed his life and inspired others. With honest reflections, Ben challenges audiences to consider where they might be holding back, encouraging them to break free from fear. This talk is ideal for fostering a culture of inclusion, empowering attendees to create safe, authentic spaces for all.
Ben Smith believes that life-changing transformations start with a single decision. He shares how pivotal choices—like embarking on The 401 Challenge—redefined his life, inspiring thousands. Through his story, Ben shows how everyday decisions have the power to reshape what’s possible, encouraging individuals to take control of their paths. This talk emboldens audiences to recognise their potential, demonstrating how even small choices today can lead to extraordinary opportunities for tomorrow.
Ben Smith’s story offers a powerful perspective on the need for diversity and inclusion. Reflecting on his experiences as a gay man in a marginalising society, he highlights the importance of acceptance—both self-acceptance and acceptance of others. Through personal anecdotes, Ben underscores that true inclusion empowers individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, fostering trust and innovation. Attendees come away with a profound understanding of how embracing diversity strengthens teams and drives success.
Book Ben Smith to inspire your team with his remarkable journey of resilience and transformation. His engaging storytelling and raw honesty will empower your audience to embrace their true selves, overcome challenges, and unlock their potential. Experience a powerful message that motivates action and fosters a culture of courage and change.
Testimonials
often considered together
Tom Bosworth
LGBTQ+
Mental Health
Adversity
Jude Guaitamacchi
Mental Health
Resilience
LGBTQ+
Anthony Bennett
Adversity
Resilience
Growth Mindset
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email ben.smith@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Ben's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Ben Smith structures his talks around the chronological arc of The 401 Challenge, using his own lived experience — including mental health struggles, coming out, and a mini-stroke at 29 — as the narrative spine from which broader lessons about resilience, decision-making, and authenticity are drawn.
Ben Smith speaks on endurance and mental health resilience, authentic identity and LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the role of personal choice in transforming possibility. He completed 401 marathons in 401 days across the UK in 2015, raising over £330,000 for anti-bullying charities, and received the 2016 BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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