James Benson-King (Explorer & Adventurer): Harnessing the Power of Grit - From Alaska to Argentina

When I first came up with the concept for Success on the South Coast, I was determined to shine a light on people from a wide variety of backgrounds from the arts, business & community projects.

However, it never crossed my mind that I would meet someone like James Benson-King, my guest for episode #10 (a very special milestone!).

James is an Explorer & Adventurer who goes by the name of ‘The Biking Viking’ for his endurance cycling challenges. 

Having completed a 20,000 mile cycle tour from Alaska to Argentina, James is taking it to the next level for his next adventure: he plans to be the first human to cycle across Antarctica (yes, cycle… on an actual bike!)

In this fantastic conversation, James shares amazing stories from his escapades: cycling 500 miles with one leg, evading Narco’s in Mexico & supporting a world record breaking hand-biker in India.

James is also a “resilience cultivator”, content creator and event speaker who is on a mission “to inspire and empower others to embrace adventure, push their limits and pursue their dreams”, so look out for advice on how to cultivate your own resilience, push through challenges and pursue your own dreams.

- - - KEY TOPICS OF THE CONVERSATION - - -

In this episode we discuss:

• James early days, childhood heart condition and successful corporate career
• His transformation into 'the Biking Viking'
• Stories from his 20,000 mile cycle tour from Alaska to Argentina
• How to overcome mental & physical challenges… and how James cycled over 500 miles across Mexico with one leg!
• Inspiration to help others pursue their own dreams
• James’s (double!) world record-breaking plans to be the first human to cycle across Antarctica
• James’s view on the meaning of true Happiness & Success

- - - CHAPTERS - - -

00:00:00 - Intro ("A sunny new podcast...")
00:00:26 - Guest Intro
00:01:56 - Welcome… 
00:02:24 - James's origin story: his corporate career and early success
00:06:16 - Sliding Doors moment - meeting a cycle tourer in Myanmar
00:09:35 - James's  early years & first taste of adventure
00:12:20 - Alaska to Argentina: 20,000 mile cycling adventure
00:14:07 - Alaska to Argentina: the route
00:15:15 - Resilience and the importance of community
00:16:03 - Transforming into 'the Biking Viking'
00:19:00 - Alaska to Argentina: Mental preparation
00:22:21 - Alaska to Argentina: Key challenges
00:22:59 - Cycling 500 miles on one leg in Mexico
00:27:07 - Dealing with 60mph winds in Southern Patagonia (Argentina)
00:32:13 - Alaska to Argentina: Key lessons
00:32:36 - Pre-trip preparation: Flicking the Switch
00:34:19 - Keep pushing forward: Just do what you can do!
00:36:00 - Motivation: 'Cardiac Risk in the Young' charity
00:37:58 - Alaska to Argentina: Importance of biking community
00:41:01 - Skills for Success: Determination
00:44:04 - Unlock your potential: Advice to help others pursue their dreams…
00:46:31 - Alaska to Argentina: completing the journey un-supported
00:47:41 - Skills for Success: Managing the logistics
00:49:58 - Personal safety & navigating danger in South America
00:51:34 - Narco HQ & military lockdown following the capture of El Chapo's son
00:57:37 - Genuine danger in Belize: random acts of violence
01:01:13 - Another adventure: supporting a Hand Biking world record attempt in India
01:05:28 - Antarctica: "a transformative experience"
01:06:04 - Skills for Success: Forgiving yourself
01:08:10 - Next BIG project: world record-breaking plans to be the first human to cycle across Antarctica
01:14:17 - Antarctica: preparation for a next-level adventure..
01:17:10 - Antarctica: content creation & promo
01:18:01 - Antarctica: sponsorship & fund-raising
01:19:47 - Can individuals cultivate grit or resilience?
01:22:41 - Tools & techniques to help cultivate resilience
01:25:06 - How James's experiences benefit individuals & organisations?
01:27:26 - What is happiness?
01:29:11 - Gratitude & enjoying the journey
01:31:30 - Juggling relationships with globe-trotting adventures
01:33:41 - What is success?
01:35:55 - Life by Misadventure - learn to forgive yourself
01:37:55 - Thank you, guest links & wrap-up

 

GUEST Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-benson-king-8a186285
• Website: https://www.bikingvikingrides.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bikingvikingrides
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bikingvikingrides

SUCCESS ON THE SOUTH COAST Links:

YouTube is our primary platform, but Success on the South Coast is also available on all your favourite streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts etc)!

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@successonthesouthcoast
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• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-on-the-south-coast/id1760075408
• YouTube Music/Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCOvHz8DkSa5PSX5yKCMCmHffqzMjYz-K

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/successonthesouthcoast
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/success-on-the-south-coast

#TheBikingViking
#CycleTouring
#AlaskaToArgentina
#Antarctica
#Grit
#Resilience
#ResilienceCultivator
#Positivity
#SuccessOnTheSouthCoast
#SotSC

#SouthCoastSuperstar
#Happiness
#Success
#UnlockYourPotential
#PursueYourDreams

 

INTRO MUSIC: 'Generator' by CALL ME ANIMAL. 

If you like the sound of it, check out 'Arron Sans' (the singer/songwriter) at https://www.arronsans.com or https://www.instagram.com/arronsans.