Stories from the edge, lessons for the boardroom
A lifetime of adventure has thrown up many challenges — from near-drowning in a Norwegian gorge to surviving a 5-day storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. These experiences taught Mike how to overcome adversity, deal with failure, and thrive in the extreme.
Speaker bio
Mike Jones is a former Coastguard coxswain, expedition guide, and ocean rower who now works as an executive coach and speaker. He has led search-and-rescue missions in extreme conditions, rowed the Atlantic, and guided clients through some of the world's most inhospitable environments — including Kilimanjaro and Elbrus. He holds a BA in Outdoor Education and has designed and delivered leadership programmes for organisations including Dell and Waterford Crystal, as well as national sporting teams. He now brings those same lessons in resilience, flow and decision-making under pressure to audiences and organisations as a keynote speaker.
He has rowed the Atlantic, kayaked solo around Ireland over 40 days, raced to line honours in the Round Ireland Yacht Race, guided Everest Base Camp four times (summiting Island Peak), and summited Kilimanjaro five times.
Signature stories
The 5-day Atlantic storm
124 hours pinned on sea anchor in the middle of the Atlantic, gale-force winds and 7-8 metre swell battering the boat through the night — thrown around the cabin, gear failing, morale tested to its limit. And then, the moment the storm broke and the crew could finally start rowing again. It's a story about what happens when the plan completely falls apart and all that's left is how you respond.
Read the original dispatch from the boat →Near-drowning in a Norwegian gorge
A guiding trip that nearly ended in tragedy, in whitewater far from help. A story about split-second decisions, the limits of preparation, and what it takes to lead a group back to safety when everything goes wrong.
The seat I didn't want
Competing just to earn a place on the crew for the Round Ireland Yacht Race — then being put in the pit, the last position anyone wants. It turned out to be the heart of all the action, and the crew went on to win line honours. A story about the role you resist often being the one that stretches you most.
Read the original dispatch →40 days alone around Ireland
A solo kayak circumnavigation of Ireland, unsupported. A story about self-reliance, decision-making with no one else to consult, and managing your own morale when there's no crew to lean on.
Topics
- Finding flow state under pressure
- Getting comfortable being uncomfortable
- Goal-setting for transformational change
- Leadership lessons from search and rescue
- Decision-making in high-stakes environments
- Overcoming adversity and bouncing back from failure
Reel & photos
Video and photography from past engagements available on request — get in touch using the form below.
Past events
Past speaking engagements and client logos will be listed here as they're confirmed for publication.
Built on real stakes, not slides
124 hrs
Pinned on sea anchor in a mid-Atlantic storm
Line honours
Round Ireland Yacht Race — earned my place on the crew
5×
Kilimanjaro summits
40 days
Solo kayak around Ireland, unsupported