Jonny Huntington

Jonny Huntington is an elite para-athlete, explorer, and former British Army officer whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience, performance under pressure, and the human capacity for transformation. A stroke survivor turned world-first polar explorer, Jonny is fast becoming one of the UK’s most sought-after high-performance keynote speakers. He captivates audiences with his gripping personal journey, blending insights from elite sport, military leadership, and cutting-edge sports science to inspire others to raise their standards and redefine what they believe is possible. Jonny’s talks cut to the core of what it takes to succeed in the most demanding environments—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

While serving as a British Army Officer, Jonny suffered a devastating stroke in 2014 that left the entire left side of his body paralysed. At just 24 years old, he went from peak physical fitness to complete dependence. But rather than be defined by disability, he committed to an extraordinary path of recovery and reinvention. Through years of relentless physical rehab, mental resilience, and goal-setting, Jonny returned not only to walking but to performing at the elite level of para-sport. He competed for Great Britain in para cross-country skiing, achieving a world ranking of 43rd, and placed third in the GB Para Climbing Championships two years in a row.

In 2025, Jonny completed one of the most extreme endurance feats in modern polar exploration. He became the first person with a disability in history to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Over the course of 46 days, he skied 911 kilometres across the Antarctic plateau, dragging a 100kg sled in brutal conditions that included -40°C temperatures, high winds, and constant daylight. This extraordinary achievement not only marks a historic milestone in exploration but redefines what elite performance looks like when lived through the lens of disability. His expedition is now used as a case study in performance optimisation, preparation under uncertainty, and sustained mental toughness.

Today, Jonny is an in-demand speaker across sectors including insurance, property, technology, and education. His talks and workshops empower organisations and individuals to perform under pressure, build resilience, and turn ambitious visions into measurable results. Drawing on his background in sports science, with a specialist interest in psychophysiology and cognition, Jonny brings a rare combination of emotional storytelling and evidence-based strategy to every stage he steps onto. Audiences leave his sessions with a renewed belief in their capabilities and a blueprint for achieving more than they thought possible.