Lewis Pugh
About Lewis Pugh
Speech topics
Achieving Your Impossible: No Challenge Too Great
In a career spanning 27 years, ocean advocate Lewis Pugh has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history, including the first swim across the icy waters of the North Pole, and across a glacial lake on Mt. Everest—all in just a Speedo swimsuit. Many of his expeditions were in conditions deemed “impossible.” Widely regarded as one of the world’s most inspiring speakers, Lewis shares his insights on the mind-set, preparation, teamwork and leadership skills necessary for any major undertaking and how they can be applied in your organization. The most crucial success factor, he says, is to have a driving purpose, which for him is to protect our planet’s threatened oceans.
Speaking videos
Media coverage
Lewis Pugh: Swimmer Has Ross Sea Talks with Russia
After completing some record-breaking swims in Antarctica, Lewis Pugh flew to Moscow to discuss ocean conservation. The UK athlete and campaigner wanted to meet the Russian Minster of Defence to discuss the creation of a new marine reserve around the Ross Sea.
Man on an Antarctic mission - taking a plunge for the Ross Sea
How does it feel to dive off an ice shelf into -1.7C cold water? Lewis Pugh is one of the few people on earth who can answer that question. "I have never ever experienced anything so terrifying," he says, sitting in a cozy pub in Marylebone a few days after his return from a 31-day voyage to Antarctica. "The word cold just has no meaning. No meaning."
Man on an Antarctic mission - taking a plunge for the Ross Sea
How to campaign for the world's biggest marine protected area in Antarctica's freezing seas? If you're Lewis Pugh, the answer's a simple one: swim there!
What The First Man To Swim At The North Pole Can Teach Us About ...
... adventures like running 100 miles or swimming from Cuba to Florida can sound plain crazy. Which is part of what makes Lewis Pugh's accomplishments al ...
Books by Lewis Pugh
“21 Yaks And A Speedo” (2013)
Lewis Pugh knows oceans. He was the first to complete a long distance swim in every ocean of the world, and has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other person in history. He swam across the icy waters of the North Pole to highlight the melting of the Arctic sea ice, and across a glacial lake on Mt Everest to draw attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. In 21 Yaks and a Speedo Lewis shares his ability to dream big dreams, build crack teams, and get the job done. You'll be inspired by his devotion to excellence, his loyalty to his crew, and his belief in never giving up. The principles are simple, but effective. Stick by them, he says, and they'll see you through. Lewis is a vivid storyteller. His efforts to spread awareness of the fragility of our global ecosystem, and the dangers that threaten our oceans, have made him one of the world's most popular public speakers. He's been nicknamed 'the human polar bear' and 'the people's porpoise', and named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. As US President Bill Clinton observed, "Lewis Pugh doesn't tell us what to do, he shows us what can be done. "These are the 21 strategies Lewis used to achieve what no one thought was possible. So now you can too.
“Achieving the Impossible: A Fearless Hero. A Fragile Earth.” (2010)
In July 2007, Lewis Gordon Pugh became the first person to swim at the North Pole, in temperatures that would kill a normal person, primarily to raise awareness of climate change. Nicknamed 'the human polar bear' for his ability to raise his body temperature at will, he has pioneered swims in the world's most hostile waters, redefining what it is possible to achieve in terms of endurance. A former member of the SAS, Lewis tells his fantastic story here for the first time. Chapters cover his childhood, growing up with his 'hero' Surgeon Rear Admiral father, his early life in South Africa, his grueling training in the army's elite regiment, his inspiration and, of course, plenty of action/adventure stories, chronicling his many nail-biting endurance swims. With practical lessons taken from his own life, Lewis explains how recognizing one's passions and taking calculated risks is essential for anyone looking to fulfill their goals. The book will also cover his expedition kayaking to the North Pole in summer 2008 and preparing for his most dangerous swim yet - planned for spring 2010. His story is inspiring, entertaining and thrilling in equal measure, and its 40-year-old author is a much-needed role model for our times.
At a glanceLewis Pugh
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