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James Cracknell, OBE, is a British Olympic gold medallist, endurance athlete, bestselling author, and renowned high-performance speaker. Known for his extraordinary achievements in rowing and extreme endurance events, Cracknell inspires audiences with his journey of excellence and resilience. His two Olympic gold medals and six World Championship titles underscore his relentless drive for success, making him one of the UK’s most accomplished athletes. As a speaker, Cracknell draws on his vast experience to motivate teams and individuals to reach their full potential.
With a rise to prominence beginning at Kingston Grammar School, where he first discovered rowing, James’ career took off when he joined the British coxless fours alongside legends Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent. Together, they won three consecutive World Championships and achieved the pinnacle of sporting success with Olympic gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. James went on to win a second Olympic gold in Athens in 2004, solidifying his status as one of the greatest rowers in British history. His ability to perform under extreme pressure and deliver results in high-stakes situations sets him apart as a true high-performance athlete.
Beyond his rowing career, James has undertaken some of the world’s toughest endurance challenges. He competed in the 2005 Atlantic Rowing Race, finishing in just under 50 days, an experience documented in the BBC programme Through Hell and High Water. Cracknell also became the highest-placed Briton in the Marathon des Sables, and his extreme adventures have been featured in Discovery Channel documentaries like The Toughest Race on Earth. As a bestselling author, James co-wrote The Crossing: Conquering the Atlantic in the World’s Toughest Rowing Race, further showcasing his ability to translate his experiences into inspiring stories.
James Cracknell’s incredible achievements and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him a standout motivational speaker. His story of overcoming challenges, both in sport and life, resonates with anyone striving to achieve high performance. Whether addressing corporate teams or sports organisations, Cracknell’s message of pushing boundaries and defying limits inspires audiences to pursue greatness in every aspect of their lives.
James Cracknell is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“James was recently involved in a cycling accident while trying to cycle, row, run and swim from Los Angeles to New York within 16 days. When he talks about the challenges he faces in trying to return to full health, we get an insight into his great courage and determination”
“Excellent, natural. His talk was inspirational and really added a ‘human’ and emotional connection to our business-orientated agenda.”
“We were all in awe that he could speak for over an hour in a thoroughly interesting, amusing and sometimes humble way.”
“A great speaker. His presentation was excellent and inspiring. As a person, he was also incredibly approachable, warm and friendly.”
“Relaxed, self-deprecating style, ideal light-hearted conclusion to a strenuous conference. Very amenable to book signings.”
“James Cracknell was inspirational – really tied into the theme of the event and how he spoke about reaching out for help. It was something to be there and hear his story in his own words.”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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