Mark Agnew
Mark Agnew - adventurer and keynote speaker
Adventurer, keynote speaker heads to the Arctic
Mark Agnew is a UK-based adventurer, freelance journalist and keynote speaker. He grew up in Edinburgh and now lives in London.
He delivers talks to a range of audiences, from Fortune500 companies and small school groups. Mark focuses on bouncing back from failure, mental health, how to set goals with intrinsic values and the power of team cohesion.
Contact Mark for a talk today
In July 2023, he is attempting to kayak the entire Northwest Passage. He is part of a team lead by Texan adventurer West Hansen, along with two other kayakers - Jeff Wueste and Eileen Visser. The team is called The Arctic Cowboys.
If they are successful, it will be the first time the entire Northwest Passage has been kayaked from Baffin Bay to Beaufort Sea.
It will also be the first time the Passage has been completed under human power, with no motors or sails, in a single summer.
Mark's most notable expeditions so far have ended in failure. He attempt to row the Atlantic twice, and each time was rescued. This caused a mental health spiral and identity crisis. It forced Mark to re-examine what he wants from adventures.
He now focuses on the intrinsic values of being in the wild and on the bonds he forms with his teammates, and not just the singular outcome of completing the objective.
"Drawing on the experience and not just the outcomes allows me to enjoy the journey," Mark said. "Too many people focus on the end point and forget to enjoy the process. Ironically, if you focus on enjoying the process, a successful outcome is more likely."
He has taken this new mindset on countless adventures - rowing from Newcastle to Orkney, kayaking along the West Coast of Scotland, sailing to the Shetlands and back, kayaking from Lands End to the Scilly Isles and Back, ultra marathons, thru-hikes and more.
"Having a goal gives us something to focus on," Mark said. "It becomes a common purpose. It helps us enjoy the experience, and form bonds. It's a balancing act between having a goal, and remembering to enjoy the moment."
Mark is raising money for Wilderness Foundation UK - you can donate here.