Sean Conway: Endurance Adventurer & Author

Sean Conway: Motivational Speaker, After Dinner, Awards, Educational Talks

#Endurance   #World'sLongestTriathlon   #Motivation   #Resilience   #WorldRecords

Sean Conway is an endurance adventurer with a taste for extreme challenges.  Sean has completed the world's longest Ultra Triathlon and he holds the world record for the fastest unsupported crossing of Europe by bicycle.  He was the first person to swim the length of Britain.  In 2023, Sean broke the world record for the most full distance triathlons: Sean completed an astonishing 105 back-to-back ironman events.

Sean's talks are memorable and entertaining.  Sean delivers powerful messages on resilience, motivation and taking on 'impossible' challenges.

Sean Conway is the first and only person in history to complete the Ultimate British Triathlon cycling, swimming and running the length of Britain.  The 900m swim from Lands End to John O'Groats was a world-first and defied the critics who thought it impossible. In 2015, Sean completed the final leg, running 1,014 miles to officially complete the first ever Ultimate British Triathlon.  The resulting documentary on Discovery Channel won Sean many new fans for his courage and humour: as several newspaper headlines put it, Britain now had its own inspiring Forrest Gump.

Sean has completed the world's longest triathlon.  In 2016, Sean took on an even bigger challenge: a self-supported continuous triathlon around the coast of Britain.  Sean cycled, ran and swam more than 4,000 miles (the equivalent distance of London to New Delhi).  Sean pushed his limits beyond anything he has done before and the considerable public support (especially via social media) made a real difference.  A series on Discovery TV followed Sean's challenge.

In April 2018 in Cabo de Roca on the west coast of Portugal, Sean cycled 4,500 miles across Europe, finishing at the Russian town of Ufa.  Sean achieved this Cross Europe Cycle world record unsupported and carrying all of his kit with him.  

Widely admired for his endurance, courage, humour and inimitable style, Sean is a popular and entertaining motivational speaker.  

‘We’ve had some really positive feedback from the team about Sean’s talk. It was very inspiring to hear about his adventures and I think a lot of us are now considering how we can start to live life to the full a bit more!’

M&S

'The audience LOVED it!  I have had nothing but great feedback.  He was honest, amusing and entertaining.  I cannot think how he could have been better.  We really enjoyed him coming along and talking to us.'

ITV

Sean encourages delegates to find the courage to tackle difficult challenges no matter what they may be, to develop resilience and to live life more adventurously.  He delivers powerful messages around coping with set-backs, setting outrageous goals and completing them against the odds, keeping a positive attitude and staying motivated when it gets tough and succeeding in times of change and challenge. 

Well-known for his quirky take on endurance sports and adventures, Sean came to the UK in 2002 with just £100 in his wallet and started working in Cambridge cutting 12,000 cabbages a day.  Later, having made his living as a photographer, Sean sold his business for £1 and embraced change and challenge.

Sean wanted to prove that he could achieve a world record and decided to swim the length of Great Britain.  Having cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2008, Sean tackled the second leg of his GB Triathlon and after battling the weather, currents and a remarkably large amount of jellyfish, Sean (and his legendary beard) wrote history on 11 November 2013 after 135 days at sea.  The run followed and this was filmed by Discovery.

In 2016, Sean followed the edge of Britain leaving Lulworth Cove on a bamboo bike and cycling 3,350 miles through the beautiful but tough Welsh and Scottish coastlines.  He swopped his bike for trainers in Scarborough and ran 800 miles to Brighton before starting his final leg in the water and swimming back to Lulworth Cove.  Sean dragged a small raft containing what he needed as he swam through some of the busiest parts of the British coastline.  He completed the world's longest triathlon.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Sean's talks are memorable and entertaining.  Sean encourages audiences to take on courageous challenges whatever they may be.

'The audience LOVED it!  I have had nothing but great feedback.  He was honest, amusing and entertaining.  I cannot think how he could have been better.  We really enjoyed him coming along and talking to us.'

ITV

'We had a great talk.  The staff were really enthused by Sean.  We've had loads of positive feedback.  He was funny, engaging and of course, really inspiring and it all tied back in really well with our values campaign.'

Mizuho Financial Group

'Thank you on behalf of our Senior Leaders for your inspiring presentation to us.  Everyone who saw and heard you enjoyed it immensely but did question your sanity for taking on such extreme challenges!  I know that you will have inspired many of us to take up challenges either in a professional or personal capacity and indeed we will inspire others to do so as a result of your presentation.  The theme of the presentation was personal resilience and you showed us that taking it one step at a time really helps to focus on the immediate challenge and that helps to build up endurance.  You also showed us that failure is not an inhibitor but a motivator to succeed and to aim high.'

West Yorkshire Police

'Please pass on our thanks to Sean for his brilliant talk.  I loved his relaxed and funny manner.  My business partner loved it too and I have heard only positive comments from the attendees.  The audience certainly kept him busy afterwards with questions and photo opportunities and he has, without doubt, expanded his fan base.'

Expo 2016: Marathon des Sables 

'We've asked Sean to speak to a number of different audiences and have found him to be inspirational to a wide range of people – from staff to business owners to entrepreneurs. His attitude is so inspiring and he refuses to let anything get in his way – determined to achieve his goals, despite the many barriers put in his way.

'His exploits are amazing and he delivers his stories in a very amusing and natural way – you can’t help but like him and be amazed at what he has achieved.  And he is very real, open and honest about his adventures and the setbacks along the way.

'He tailored talks to meet our objectives, seamlessly absorbing our messages into his stories and providing inspiration and motivation to change, to develop and to grow.  There was no fuss or apparent nervousness – he simply told the stories of his adventures in a way that made them accessible and achievable and inspired the audience to focus and deliver.  Brilliant!'
Corporate Communications Manager, Ordnance Survey

'Sean was fantastic!  Proper gent and delivered a fantastic talk.  It was really great that he spent time afterwards talking with us and having a few drinks.  Will recommend to everyone.'

Park Resorts

'Sean has an amazing story to tell and he delivers messages and inspiration that work both at a personal and business level.  He was willing to adapt his storytelling to fit our specific audience and it made for an engaging and entertaining session.'

Sky Media: Marketing 

'Sean was a pleasure to work with and he was really well received by our audience.'

NCC

'It was a pleasure to have Sean with us.  For inspiring the audience to think about "Challenging Situations" and "Not to Give up" - he certainly did that very well.  We got feedback from people who said that they enjoyed his presentation very much.'

Career Academies UK

'A true inspiration to us.  The talk was well constructed and great detail was made to show the most exciting and jaw-dropping tales from a young man's youth.'

Bradford University

'A massive thank you to Sean.  His presentation was a perfect start tot he festival and was commented on by many people throughout the weekend.'

Peebles Outdoor Film Festival

'The keynote speaker was Sean Conway who swam the  length of Britain - a mere 900 miles!  Sean was very enthusiastic and inspirational.  I am sure he awoke the spirit of adventure in the audience.  Sean's mottos "Don't be scared of Failing" and "Aim Higher" resonated well and he made us all realise that with will, determination, focus and self-belief we can reach our goals in life.'

YPI Scotland

'I really enjoyed Sean's lecture - he is so full of energy and passion for his adventures.  It all seemed to go well and plenty of people were there to hear him.  Please pass on my best wishes and congratultions for a great evening.  I will look out for his book!'

Wilderness Lectures 

'Sean was great.  We genuinely thought he was one of the best speakers we've ever had. The students were so receptive: he received 3 rounds of applause and I was worried he might have started a riot.  Perfect pitch and length and content.'

Bedales School

 

'Just come back from listening to Sean’s extraordinarily inspirational talk. The sixth form loved him and there was a queue of Year 13 lads trying to get ‘selfies’ with him. One of Year 10, curious about all the fuss, asked me if Sean was a rock star - I told him he was better than that, that he was a professional adventurer!'

Cheam School

 

'Huge thanks to Sean.  He was totally inspirational yesterday and really got under the skin of the girls.  So many have passed me in the corridors this morning saying that they're now going to do something amazing like him!'

Tudor Hall School

 

'Sean's talk was excellent.  The students were very engaged and the tone was perfect.  He is such a nice guy.'

Gunnersbury Catholic School

 

'My thanks to Sean for giving such an inspirational talk on his life this evening at my son's school's presentation evening.  It was entertaining and motivating and captured his imagination.  Children need positive role models and Sean is living proof that if you put your mind to something, it is possible, whatever that may be.  We will all be aiming a bit higher from now on!'

Parent Feedback, Temple Moor High School

 

'Sean was fantastic and all the pupils loved the content of his talk and his delivery.'

Wellington College

 

'It was great having Sean Conway speaking at our event.  As we had a range of age groups attending, all with an adventurous spirit, we required a speaker that would appeal to this and keep everyone enthused and he did not disappoint!  Not only was he funny but also inspiring and thoroughly entertained us all.  From a host's perspective, the ease of booking was great and efficient.  Sean turned up on time and just got on with it!'

Dean Close School

 

'Sean's talk astonished the student audience.  His inspirational story and powerful message that nothing is impossible will stay long in the memory.'

TEDx Manchester Youth

 

'Hautlieu School were looking to find an inspirational and stimulating speaker to present at the annual Year 13 Leaver Ceremony.  Sean addressed the students during this celebration event where he immediately captured their interest and delivered a truly stimulating and inspirational presentation detailing the importance of aiming for the highest. We were very pleased that Sean could be with us on this special day for students and we will definitely be inviting him back in the near future. Thank you Sean.'

Hautlieu School

 

'Thank you so much for the amazing experience!  How lucky we were to have had such a great opportunity today to hear from one of the world's strongest men, not only because he swam, cycled and ran the whole length of Britain but because of his story behind it all and how he transformed from an ordinary photographer to one of the world's most amazing men in history.  It made me realise that anything is possible.... I cannot stress how thankful I am to have been able to hear Sean talk.'

The Wellington Academy (pupil response)

 

'I think it is always a challenge when a speaker is new to an organisation to find all the links and connects to our purpose with their story.  Sean was with us throughout the event so that he could tune in to that.  On our pre-briefing call with Sean we discussed an approach to enable interaction with the audience through a couple of 'push pauses'.  It was good that he did this… finding links and connects.' 

Carmarthenshire DofE Programme

 

'Sean's talk about his John O'Groats swim kept an audience of 500 young people and parents enthralled from start to finish. His down to earth manner and can do attitude were truly inspiring and he left many in the audience thinking about how to challenge themselves and achieve something that they didn't think they were capable of.'

Youth Philanthropy Initiative

Sean's Adventures include:

The Cycling Across Europe World Record (2018)

On the Edge: the world's longest triathlon cycling, running and swimming around the coast of mainland Britain (April-June 2016)

Sailing the length of Britain (2015)

Running Britain (2015) Sean completed the first ever Ultimate British Triathlon by running from John O'Groats to Land's End.  HIs story was featured in a two-part documentary on Discovery Channel UK.

Swimming Britain (2013) 

Walking to London from Cheltenham (2013)

Strongmanrun (2013)

Cycling London to the Alps (2013)

Three Peaks Cycle Challenge (2012)

Cycling the World (2012)

Climbing Kilimanjaro (dressed as a penguin, 2011)

Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling (dressed ina  suit, 2009)

Cycling Britain (Land's End to John O'Groats, 2008)

Midmar Mile (the world's biggest open water swimming event, 1996)

The Duzi Canoe Marathon (from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, SA, in 1998 and 1999)

Britain's Forrest Gump?

Watch the Run Sean Run Trailer by Dave Cornthwaite

Sean Conway is an extreme endurance adventurer and the first and only man in history to complete the Ultimate British Triathlon.  After embarking on a 1300 mile bike ride, Sean set a world-first by completing a 900 mile swim from Land's End to John O'Groats.  In May 2015, Sean completed the final leg, running 1,014 miles in six weeks, officially achieving what had never been done before.

Sean has completed the world's longest Ultra Triathlon and he holds the world record for the fastest crossing of Europe by bicycle.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sean had an adventurous upbringing in the Mana Pools National Park with his conservationist game ranger father, Tony.  Sean's father has been at the forefront of the fight to save the rhino for 35 years, something that Sean passionately supports along with other charities, Solar Aid and War Child.

Sean spent his early years climbing trees and chasing elephants out of his garden.  This unique childhood has been the fuel for his adventurous ambition and throughout his teens he competed in several river marathons including the Duzi Canoe Marathon arguably the world's most prestigous canoe race in South Africa from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.  At 15 years old, Sean completed the Midmar Mile - the world's biggest open water swimming event in 35 minutes.

Well-known for his quirky take on endurance sports and adventures, Sean came to the UK in 2002 with just £100 in his wallet and started working in Cambridge cutting 12,000 cabbages a day and then as a freelance photographer in London whilst living in a tiny room in London with 7 other people, spending any cash he earnt on a variety of travels and adventures.

Giving up a career in photography to persue a dream of breaking the world record for cycling around the world, Sean gained sponsorship from USwitch.com and set out on this epic adventure in February 2012.  After three weeks, Sean was ahead of schedule averaging 180 miles a day.  His dreams were shattered in America when a driver hit him causing severe whip lash, concussion, torn ligaments and a compression fracture to his spine.  Despite this, Sean continued but dropping to 140 miles a day and changing his goal to get back to London in time for the Olympics and raise money for charity.  He made it back with one week to spare, having covered 16,000 miles - 12,000 of these miles with a fractured spine.

Looking for his next adventure, Sean wanted to prove that he could achieve a world record and he decided to attempt to become the first person in history to swim the length of Great Britain.  Having cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2008, Sean tackled the second leg of his GB Triathlon and after battling the weather, currents and a remarkably large amount of jellyfish, Sean (and his legendary beard) wrote history on 11 November 2013 after 135 days at sea.

There was now one more leg to complete to make this challenge the Ultimate GB Triathlon.   In March 2015, Sean set out once again from John O'Groats to run south.  The two-part documentary on the Discovery Channel UK showed the physical torture, hard work and motivation the route demanded - especially for Sean who did not consider himself a runner and certainly not an ultra-endurance runner.  Sean pushed himself to run over a marathon a day.  After 6 weeks, Sean returned to Land's End and found himself in the history books, this time as the first person to complete the Ultimate British Triathlon.  The TV documentary is a heart-warming and inspiring account of Sean's journey.  It was Discovery's biggest premier of the year.

In April 2016, Sean began an even bigger challenge: a self-supported continuous Ultra Triathlon around the coast of Britain.  Discovery UK showed a three-part series about Sean's incredible challenge in late summer 2016.

The British Ultra Triathlon was more than 4,000 miles.  Sean started in Lulworth Cove and cycled on a bamboo bike for 3,350 miles to Scarborough encountering the beautiful yet tough terrain of the British coastline particularly in Wales and Scotland.  On reaching Scarborough, Sean changed his bike for trainers to run 800 miles to Brighton.  On reaching Brighton, Sean entered the water to swim the final 100 miles back to Lulworth Cove.  Sean pushed his limits and lost a significant amount of weight but completed his challenge in June 2016.  The support of the public - particularly through social media using the hashtag #GoSeanGo truly helped Sean complete what many consider to be the world's longest triathlon.

Sean has published several books including Sean's book Hell and High Water that chronicles his successful attempt to be come the first man in history to swim the length of Great Britain and Cycling the Earth: a life-changing race around the world.  Visit Sean's site to purchase his books here

Sean's Books

Big Mile Cycling: Ten years, 60,000 miles, One Dream (2019)

Running Britain (2018)

Cycling the Earth: a life-changing race around the world (2016)

Hell and High Water (2015)

World Cycling Stripped Bare (2012)

Land's End to John O'Groats: The Ride That Started It All (2012)

Contact us to find out more about signed books as delegate incentive gifts or organising a book-signing after Sean's talk at your next event on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sean's Television Shows

Sean Conway On the Edge (Discovery UK three part series to begin on 31 August 2016 at 9pm)

Sean Conway Running Britain (DiscoveryUK, 2015)

Sean in the Press

'Having van drivers wind down their windows and shout “Run Forrest, run!” might have prompted some men to shave off their beards.  But not Sean Conway.  Instead, the 33-year old decided to play on his resemblance to Tom Hank’s character in the later stages of Forrest Gump, donning a Bubba Gump cap and - like the man himself - deciding to go for a little run for no particular reason.'    

Read More: Meet Sean Conway Britain's Answer to Forrest Gump' The Telegraph