))
Caught in Everest’s Darkest Hour: How Two Failed Everest Summits Built Unbreakable Resilience in Alex Staniforth
Manage episode 474367924 series 3627061
Content provided by Tom Bryan. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Tom Bryan or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
From childhood struggles to scaling life’s biggest challenges, Alex Staniforth’s journey is one of resilience, adventure, and mental strength.
After two failed attempts to summit Everest, and surviving an avalanche on the mountain's most fatal year, Alex was forced to shift his mindset, realising that true achievement isn’t always about reaching the top - sometimes, no matter how hard we try, external forces are simply out of our control.
These experiences reshaped his perspective on resilience, leadership, and overcoming adversity in all areas of life.
Alex opens up about the power of mindset, the lessons learned from embracing discomfort, and how the outdoors became his greatest teacher.
He also discusses recent attempts to run the UK's Coast to Coast and his work with Mind Over Mountains, a charity helping others find clarity and confidence through nature.
With his next big challenge ahead, this conversation is a reminder that adventure is about more than just the destination—it’s about the setbacks, the growth, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Follow Alex:
https://www.alexstaniforth.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alexstaniforth_/
https://mindovermountains.org.uk/
Support the podcast: Get a whopping 65% off your first Gousto box at: https://www.gousto.co.uk/raf/?promo_code=TOM42277653
Get in contact:
https://www.instagram.com/tombryanyeah/
https://www.facebook.com/greatbritishadventurespodcast
https://www.threads.net/@tombryanyeah
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:36 Alex in the city
04:02 Changing travel mindset after losing licence
10:26 Who is Alex?
12:22 Struggles and stammer at school
17:44 Advice to younger self
19:54 Grit over Grades
23:44 What expeditions teach us.
26:42 Finding opportunity in adversity
31:27 Alex tragic Everest attempts
37:13 How to process a life threatening moment
47:54 Finding our own Everests in life
54:40 Challenging yourself with what's next?
01:01:17 Tackling the UK's Coast to Coast trail
01:04:49 2nd Coast to Coast attempt
01:12:50 The mountains aren't always there
01:16:38 Finding the acceptance to stop
01:21:59 Processing 2 failures
01:24:58 A completion that was different to the initial goal
01:27:49 The balance between performance and pleasure
01:33:44 Mind over Mountains
01:48:59 Alex's fundraising targets
01:52:12 Exciting 2025 challenge
01:53:23 Advice to those who doubt themselves
40 episodes
Share
