George King, widely recognised as @shardclimber, is a 24-year-old trailblazer in the world of extreme sports. Known for his daring feats in BASE jumping and urban free solo climbing, his most renowned achievement is scaling The Shard in 2019. This daring act propelled him into the global spotlight and was featured in the award-winning Channel 4 documentary, ‘The Boy Who Climbed The Shard’.
George's fascination with fear began at a young age, leading him to explore and understand its intricacies. He faced academic challenges due to his ADHD, which was diagnosed during his school years. Initially, medication was prescribed, but George found it stifled his true self. Instead, he chose to manage his condition through mental strategies, transforming ADHD from a hindrance into a unique strength. His journey through these challenges has shaped his approach to fear and neurodiversity, providing a rich foundation for his speaking engagements.
As a presenter, George has made a significant impact on Channel 4, hosting two extreme sports shows, ‘Adrenaline Addicts’ and ‘Bare Knuckle Boxing’. His achievements extend beyond climbing The Shard, including scaling the Lotte Tower in Seoul and the Stratosphere Tower in London. His fearless approach and engaging personality have also been showcased in various documentaries, garnering millions of views across multiple platforms.
George's speaking engagements are highly sought after due to his unique perspective on fear management and neurodiversity. His talks cover a range of topics, including visualisation, mindfulness, and disciplined physical preparation. By sharing his personal experiences, George provides audiences with practical methods to confront and manage fear, whether in personal, professional, or extreme situations. He also emphasises the positive aspects of neurodiversity, encouraging individuals to harness their unique strengths.
Hiring George King as a keynote speaker offers a compelling and inspirational experience. George’s talks are not just motivational; they offer tangible strategies that can be applied to various aspects of life. His ability to connect with audiences and share his journey with authenticity makes him an exceptional choice for any event seeking to inspire and empower its attendees.
George King's Official Speaker Topics are listed below:
- Fear Management - Techniques for overcoming fear through visualisation, mindfulness and disciplined physical preparation.
- Neurodiversity (ADHD) - Strategies for leveraging hyper-focus, managing impulsivity, and channelling innate energy to achieve positive outcomes
- Motivational Insights - Exploring mental toughness and resilience to inspire and empower
- Overcoming Adversity - George shares his personal journey of overcoming the numerous obstacles he faced, both in his daring pursuits and his life with ADHD. He provides actionable advice on turning setbacks into comebacks, maintaining a positive mindset, and using adversity as a catalyst for growth and achievement
- Peak Performance - This topic explores the physical and mental preparation required to perform at one's best in any field. George delves into his rigorous training regimens, the importance of discipline, and the strategies he employs to push beyond his limits. He offers insights into how these principles can be applied to achieve peak performance in various aspects of life, from career ambitions to personal goals
- Innovative Thinking & Risk Management - George discusses the importance of innovative thinking and risk management in extreme sports and beyond. He shares how he assesses risks, makes critical decisions under pressure, and leverages creativity to navigate challenges. This speech is particularly relevant for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to enhance their decision-making skills in high-stakes situations.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"George was outstanding - easily one of the best speakers we've had for this year's group" - Scarisbrick Hall School
"His speech was really good and he captivated the audience with his dreams/aspirations and of climbing the Shard. We all felt we were with him on that day!" - Uxbridge College
"He was perfect for our students and I think the parents appreciated him encouraging them to have their own dreams, but to choose things that would not get them into any trouble!!" - Uxbridge College
"I think that the workshop content was really interesting, added to George King's experiences and perspectives. I think that having speakers with these types of experiences is really important, encourages discussion about neurodiversity and learning what motivates people to push themselves and overcome their fears." - NHS
"Very inspirational, brilliant session." - NHS
"Very engaging, appreciated his honesty and found the message inspiring and useful." - NHS
"I liked how informative and passionate the speaker was, my partner has ADHD and George King came across really well, and enthusiastic." - NHS
"George King was one of the most incredible and impactful speakers we’ve ever had at HubDot. His story is so powerful, and his delivery style is engaging and deeply human. His words captivated the entire audience, leaving us all eager to work on our ‘fears’ and follow his advice on transforming them into superpowers. I wholeheartedly recommend George to any organization or group, regardless of age, interested in exploring a universal feeling we all want to overcome and control." - Simona Barbieri, HubDot Founder
"There is something quite heroic about George King. This nation was built on daredevils, and I think it is that buccaneering spirit that we have probably lost over the years. I admire the spirit and it is what made this country great." - Piers Morgan
"During Neurodiversity Week, we had the pleasure of welcoming George King. His discussion on overcoming fear to scale some of the tallest buildings in the world, alongside his candid sharing about living with ADHD, was inspiring. George captivated the audience from start to finish, effortlessly weaving his personal experiences into an engaging narrative. His talk wasn’t just informative; it was an immersive experience. What started as an internal fireside chat, quickly transformed into a lively exchange of ideas. We’re grateful to George for sharing his unique perspective." - Nicole Vettise, Neuberger Berman
- 2024 - First climber to ascend The Shard at night
- 2023 - Completed the tallest building climb in Dubai
- 2022 - Conquered the world’s tallest skyscraper climb in New York
- 2021 - Ascended The Shard without safety equipment
- 2020 - Achieved the fastest climb of The Shard
- 2019 - Completed a series of urban climbing challenges across Europe
- 2018 - First successful climb of The Shard
- 2017 - Climbed the Burj Khalifa in Dubai
- 2016 - Participated in and won the World Urban Climbing Championship
- 2015 - Set a new record for free solo climbing in London
- 2014 - Started training for high-altitude urban climbs
How to hire George King
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring George King for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
