Available to book
James Cracknell
Resilience
Olympics
Transform resilience and peak performance with James Cracknell, speaker, Olympic champion and adventure athlete. James works with organisations to develop mental toughness, overcome adversity, and achieve breakthrough results, delivering powerful insights backed by two Olympic gold medals and six world championship titles.


Explorer
After Dinner Sports
Celebrity
Olympian
Sport
Adventurer
After Dinner Speakers
James Cracknell OBE, with two Olympic gold medals and six world championship titles under his belt, is an inspiring sportsman, athlete and adventurer. In 2010, James Cracknell took on America- racing to cycle, run, row and swim from LA to New York in record time. It was during this trip that James suffered a near-fatal accident after being struck from behind by a truck while cycling through Arizona. After a difficult six-month recovery period, James went to the Canadian Yukon, completing The Coldest Race on Earth.
These stunning adventures are transmitted as 'Unstoppable: The James Cracknell Trilogy' on Discovery. Following this, James made a series for Discovery, 'World's Toughest Expeditions'. The series sees James pushing himself to the limit of endurance. James has also completed the gruelling Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race with friends Ben Fogle and Dr Ed Coats and 'The Race Across The Atlantic', again with Ben Fogle.
Both journeys were aired on the BBC and were accompanied by the books Race to the Pole (MacMillan) and The Crossing. James's recent programming saw him and Ben cross the Empty Quarter on camelback, which aired on the BBC in 2013, Ben & James Versus the Arabian Desert. James is in demand as an entertaining corporate and motivational host when not crossing oceans and continents. Not to mention training for marathons, the Great North Run and many other races in the UK. James is Vice President of the Charity 'Headway' and has been appointed to lead Policy Exchange work on obesity and physical activity.
Topics, sessions and talks
Fostering resilient teams is about daily behaviours, habits, and communication styles, and it is focused on creating an environment that minimises emotional resilience and gives opportunities to recharge. Boost the team's spirit, energy and motivation. The session is anchored in science and very practical so that participants leave with a good understanding of what low resilience looks like, how change affects resilience and, most importantly, with a set of tools to foster better resilience within their teams. The session is organised around three themes: - Signs of low resilience - Manage your inner leader: the message - Resilient communication: how to deliver the message
James Cracknell OBE embodies resilience, determination, and the power of overcoming adversity, making him an unparalleled source of inspiration for your team or business. His captivating stories of conquering the world's toughest expeditions will ignite a drive for excellence and innovation in your audience. Booking James ensures a transformative experience, encouraging a mindset shift towards achieving the seemingly impossible with unwavering perseverance.
Testimonials
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Resilience
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Storytelling
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High Performance
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email james.cracknell.obe@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm James's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
James Cracknell structures sessions around three defined themes — signs of low resilience, managing the inner leader, and resilient communication — using a science-based framework paired with practical tools that participants can apply directly to team environments.
James Cracknell OBE speaks on fostering resilient teams, resilient communication, and the behavioural and psychological signs of low resilience. He holds two Olympic gold medals in rowing and six world championship titles.
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The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
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To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.
There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.
Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.
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Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.
Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.
You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
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A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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