Ness Knight is a world-record setting explorer, conservationist, author, and TV presenter. Known for her pioneering feats of endurance, she has ventured into some of the most challenging environments on Earth, from the Namib Desert to the source of the Essequibo River in Guyana. As a speaker, Ness inspires audiences with her extraordinary courage and tenacity, using her experiences to motivate individuals to push beyond their limits and pursue their dreams, no matter the odds.
Ness’s journey began with a deep passion for exploration and adventure. In 2012 she left her job to paddleboard 1000 miles down the Missouri River. Then in 2013, she made history as the first woman to swim the length of the Thames River, a feat that showcased her resilience and determination. Following this, she continued to challenge herself with daring undertakings, such as cycling across Bolivia with no money in 2016. These early achievements laid the foundation for her later success and earned her widespread recognition. Her career took an even more significant leap when she explored the Namib Desert solo in 2016, a life-changing experience that solidified her status as one of the most fearless adventurers of her generation.
In recent years, Ness has continued to push the boundaries of exploration. Her successful completion of the world’s first ‘source to sea’ descent of the Essequibo River in Guyana in 2018 was a landmark achievement. Collaborating with the indigenous WaiWai tribe, Ness and her team navigated the river’s unknown source, redefining modern exploration. This monumental expedition was followed by her ongoing work in Africa, where she is investigating the illicit rhino horn trade and working on a documentary that sheds light on the dangerous realities of wildlife conservation.
Ness is hired as a motivational speaker because of her ability to inspire individuals through her first-hand accounts of pushing beyond fear and adversity. Her unique blend of real-world exploration, personal resilience, and dedication to environmental conservation makes her a powerful speaker. Companies and organisations seeking to inspire their teams and audiences turn to Ness for her unparalleled insights into perseverance, leadership, and the importance of taking bold steps to create positive change in the world.
Ness Knight is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“We have never had such a profound and lasting reaction in our organisation from any speaker we have invited to our headquarters. Ness was able to meld humour, adventure and team leadership lessons seamlessly. Superb.”
“An awe-inspiring talk from Ness that left us deeply optimistic about the future of sustainability and regeneration for our planet.”
“Ness’ ability to instill a deep curiosity and passion for the environment in our students was outstanding. Her talk has inspired and moved every one of us.”
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