Nigel Vardy has a fantastic story to share, having spent countless years of his life traversing some of the most hostile and challenging environments known to man. A passionate mountaineer and adventurer, Nigel is nicknamed ‘Mr Frostbite’, after he suffered terrible frostbite that led to the amputation of his fingertips, nose and toes. Not letting such adversity hold him back, Nigel has continued to race across glaciers, reach the summit of many of the world’s largest mountains and live in tropical jungles. A leading expert on decision-making under pressure, change management and survival, Nigel is now booked as a motivational speaker, to share exciting stories from his life as an adventurer.
Back in 1999, Nigel’s life changed forevermore. Overtaken by darkness and a severe storm at the high altitude of 20,000ft. whilst scaling Mt. McKinley in Alaska, Nigel suffered severe frostbite. Watching parts of his body die, Nigel was left with no choice but to have his fingers, toes and nose amputated. Despite this adversity, Nigel did not stop his impressive feats as an adventurer, and has since boiled, frozen, fallen, sunk and even been reported missing during his expeditions. From a successful career in engineering, to an uncertain world of disability, life-changing injuries and starting over, Nigel is now a frequently sought-after motivational speaker, booked time and time again to share how he put his life back together and continues to enjoy adventures despite physical challenges.
There are few challenging environments that Nigel has not conquered, and his adventures have taken him everywhere from Uganda and Greenland to Jordan and Russia. To share his experiences as an adventurer further, Nigel has published the bestselling books Once Bitten and 7x7 – Seven Peaks Seven Islands. He has also starred on Alive on Discovery Channel and C4 and has been a BecomingX film contributor, presented by Bear Grylls. Outside of mountaineering, Nigel is a passionate ambassador for companies including Terra Nova Equipment, Grangers, Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, Mountain Heritage Trust, The Martin Moran Foundation and the Kendal Mountain Festival.
Having learned lessons in resilience, the power of problem solving and decision-making, Nigel is now booked as a motivational speaker who translates his experiences as a mountaineer into a business context. A hit at conferences, after-dinner speeches and awards evenings across the country, Nigel customises his speeches to align with the requirements of the audience. Helping people to discover how humans can adapt to change, adopt the right mindset and learn from his disasters, Nigel is renowned for his skilful speeches on change, motivation and resilience. A seasoned speaker, Nigel has formerly spoken for the likes of the BBC, Eon, HSBC, Mount Cook Adventure Centre, BBC Radio 5 Live and Prospect, and has also delivered the TEDx talk titled Is Modern Communication Destroying Adventure? If you are looking for an inspirational adventurer to educate your audience on resilience, decision making and performing under pressure, don’t hesitate in booking Nigel Vardy today.
Books
Once Bitten
7x7 - Seven Peaks - Seven Islands
How to hire Nigel Vardy
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Nigel Vardy 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.
Nigel Vardy's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Turning Trial into Triumph - Don't Get Left Out in the Cold, Don't Just Survive - THRIVE, Turn Your Ideas Into Reality, Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone and Be The Best That You Can Be
- Over the Horizon - Be Nurtured by Nature, Disconnect to Reconnect, Unleash Your Inner Child, Thriving in the Great Outdoors and Mental Health Boosters
"Nigel was recommended to us as someone who would deliver outstanding results and have the knowledge, skill and background to fully understand the target audience. This audience was no small challenge as they work in tough environments. Nigel not only met the challenge but smashed it! The audience was enthralled by him and for nearly two hours they were totally gripped by him!" - Jane, Director, Breakthrough Change Management Ltd
"Nigel was utterly enthralling and had our students (and staff) captivated throughout his talk. Well-paced and pitched to around 400 students of differing ages and abilities, they could all connect with Nigel and were inspired by his story" - Rachael, Norton College
"I have asked Nigel to speak on several occasions; I keep going back to him because he is, quite simply, brilliant. He'll engage a group of teenagers as easily as he will a mixed party of business people. He's natural, he's funny and he's damn charming. His stories blend humour with serious ponderings and gravitas. People comment on his talks for weeks and months afterwards" - Christine, Crocstar
"Nigel's story is incredible and he tells it in such a powerful and compelling way. The audience was utterly gripped and the feedback was exceptional" - Paul, CEO, BecomingX
"Nigel's talk was the perfect method of illustrating the real-world skills that come from adventurous activities, including organisation, motivation, and tackling the unknown, bringing gravitas to the programme the apprentices would be completing with us" - Steve, Mount Cook Adventure Centre
- Star of 'Alive' on Discovery Channel/ C4
- Author of Once Bitten
- Author of 7x7 - Seven Peaks Seven Islands
- BecomingX film contributor, presented by Bear Grylls
- Ambassador for Terra Nova Equipment, Grangers, Mountain Heritage Trust, Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, Kendal Mountain Festival and The Martin Moran Foundation
