For almost 3 decades Richard Parks has operated at the edges of physical performance and our planet. He is a multiple Guiness World Record holder, former Welsh international rugby player, award winning author, BAFTA nominated filmmaker, and passionate educator. Educating through storytelling is a key part of who Richard is and why he does what he does.
Richard is the first person to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s 7 continents and stand of the North and South Poles in the same calendar year, and skied more solo, unsupported and unassisted miles in Antarctica that anyone else in history. Richard is currently streaming on Disney+ as Hollywood icon Will Smith’s Antarctic guide in Pole to Pole, ranked number 1 in the US.
Richard’s session offers an engaging and human roadmap for communicating with integrity in times of complexity; building narratives that inspire confidence without denying uncertainty; championing innovation without erasing failure; and how to celebrate knowledge that nurtures human potential in these chaotic times.
Linking his experiences to today’s world, he invites you to reconsider how you respond to constant change, uncertainty and high expectations. Regeneration, Richard argues, is not about pushing harder, neither is it a reactionary necessity, instead Richard suggests it’s a forward looking mindset to consistently renew focus, build sustainable habits, and reconnect with values that sustain you as a person and as a performer.
In this keynote, Richard draws on his extraordinary journey from professional rugby player, through career ending injury, to world‑class endurance athlete to explore regeneration. Through powerful personal storytelling, Richard reflects on resilience, adaptability and purpose in moments of challenge — from polar expeditions to parenthood! - where success and maybe life depend on preparation, trust and ‘something more’.
Richard brings a refreshing and relatable perspective on high performance, one that blends vulnerability with strength, science with storytelling, and individual courage with collective support.