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Courage-based leadership speaker

James Whittle

Growth Mindset

High Performance

Resilience

Transform extreme challenges into business growth with James Whittle, speaker specialising in courage-based leadership and decision-making under pressure. James works with teams to navigate uncertainty and drive innovation, delivering actionable frameworks for global clients including Nike, Google, and Red Bull.

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Trusted by Nike, Google, Red Bull

James Whittle

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

Contact PepTalk for fees

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire James Now

Instant quote

•

No upfront fee

•

Vetted speaker

James Whittle's biography

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At a glance

Adventure athlete who transforms extreme challenges into business lessons
Co-founder of The Tempest Two
Courageous action advocate helping organisations navigate uncertainty and change

James Whittle is an adventure athlete and advocate for taking courageous action. He helps teams transform extreme challenges into practical lessons for business and personal growth. James' approach combines raw authenticity with actionable frameworks for decision-making under pressure. As co-founder of The Tempest Two, James has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean despite having no prior experience, completed ultra-marathons through harsh desert environments, and built successful businesses from concept to reality. His client portfolio includes global brands like Nike, Google, Red Bull, and Samsung. James specialises in helping organisations navigate uncertainty by developing courage-based leadership practices. His methodology breaks down how teams can make bold decisions when facing ambiguity, transforming fear from a paralysing force into a catalyst for innovation. This approach is particularly valuable for companies undergoing significant change or entering competitive markets where conventional thinking limits potential. Audiences leave James' presentations with concrete tools for identifying courage gaps in their decision-making processes, practical techniques to build incremental courage through deliberate practice, and frameworks for distinguishing between productive fear and limiting beliefs. His signature talks include "Courage Is the Key," "Fear as Fuel," and "The 5 Stages of Courage." Book James when your organisation needs to stop waiting for certainty and take action.

James's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The 5 Stages of Courage

In his talk, James Whittle shares that courage is a process rather than a single act. He outlines five key stages observed in every courageous journey, guiding attendees from idea to action. Whether launching a new initiative or navigating change, this presentation provides a roadmap for developing resilience, clarity, and conviction. Attendees will learn how to approach challenges with confidence and effectively transform their ideas into actionable steps.

Courage Is the Key

In his flagship talk, James Whittle explores the mindset essential for making bold decisions and leading authentically. He shares real-world stories from his expeditions and personal growth, demonstrating how to access courage on demand. Attendees will learn to overcome hesitation and take decisive action, empowering themselves and their teams to embrace movement and growth.

Leading from the Edge

In his leadership-focused keynote, James Whittle challenges conventional notions of control and confidence. Drawing from his experiences with extreme challenges, risk, and uncertainty, he reveals valuable insights on effective leadership. Attendees will learn how to apply these lessons to enhance business strategies, foster a positive team culture, and improve personal leadership skills. This talk promises to reshape perspectives on leadership in today’s dynamic environment.

Why we recommend booking James

Drawing from his extraordinary experiences as an adventure athlete who rowed across the Atlantic with no prior experience, James Whittle delivers transformative insights on courage-based leadership that have empowered global brands like Google, Nike and Red Bull to make bold decisions amid uncertainty. Book James to equip your team with practical frameworks that convert fear into fuel for innovation and breakthrough performance.

Check James's availability

Trusted by Nike, Google, Red Bull

Testimonials

If you're searching for impactful speakers, make sure Tom and James are top of your list. Their stories demonstrate how teams can work together regardless of culture, industry, size or location.

Rapid7

I was pulling together an event for construction professionals and wanted something out of the ordinary & genuinely exciting - these guys absolutely smashed it! Highly recommend for any event or industry. Their adventures are crazy, they speak extremely well and it's super engaging.

Aphex, Aphex

James delivered an incredible opening keynote that made us all think, before he wonderfully hosted our People and Workplace Stage. Looking forward to working with him again soon.

SXSW London

15,000+ experts

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How do I book James Whittle for my next event?

Email james.whittle@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 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. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure James Whittle for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about James Whittle's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting James Whittle directly.

What is James Whittle's speaking style like?

James delivers engaging, high-energy talks filled with extraordinary stories and practical insights. His style is authentic, thought-provoking, and highly interactive, leaving audiences inspired and ready to take action.

What topics does James Whittle specialise in?

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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