Jamie McDonald

Description

Against all odds, Jamie McDonald has become something of an Adventurer. Something of a Superhero, named Adventureman.

Jamie is unique in his ability to keep going, even when times are tough. In fact, since defying the odds to beat a debilitating childhood condition, he’s proved it beyond all doubt twice, breaking two of the toughest endurance Guinness World Records on the planet in the process.

If anybody holds the secret to never giving up, it’s him.

For the first nine years of Jamie’s life, he was in and out of hospital with a rare spinal condition called syringomyelia. Combined with a very weak immune system, epilepsy and problems with his legs; Jamie’s family feared he’d end up in a wheelchair and would never walk again.

At nine years old, the symptoms eased, something Jamie attributes to an effort to become more active by moving his body, playing tennis and the help from doctors and nurses.

In later years, aged 25, Jamie saved up for a deposit on a house, but got that gut feeling that it wasn’t quite right, especially after watching his dad become a carer to people with learning difficulties and finding his passion in life, it was hugely inspiring to Jamie.

In the end, he decided against buying the house. Jamie then began a quest, using his savings, to give back to the hospitals that supported him.

In 2012, he bought a second-hand bike and decided to cycle 14,000 miles from Bangkok to his hometown Gloucester, UK, passing through dozens of countries. Along the way he was shot at, arrested and slept rough.

Just two days after he finished the journey back from Bangkok; he made the decision to attempt the world static non-stop cycling record, which stood at 224 hours and 24 minutes.

Pushing through sleep deprivation (and... an infected backside!), he finally stepped off the exercise bike after pedaling for a world-record breaking 268 hours – more than eleven days.

In February 2014, Jamie finished a historic journey across Canada, becoming the first person in history to run the 5,000 miles (200 marathons) from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast without the aid of a support crew. He battled -40°C temperatures, a frostbitten nose, and numerous potentially challenge-stopping injuries.

In March 2019, dressed as his alter-ego Adventureman, Jamie completed yet another solo 5,500-mile cross country spanning run across America. He fought through desolate +50C deserts, dodged rattlesnakes and mountain lions.

If that wasn’t enough just weeks later, Adventureman then broke one of the toughest endurance world records on the planet, spending 7 days on a treadmill, surviving off less than 3 hours of sleep a night; running the most number of miles humanly possible to this point in time; a record breaking distance of 524 miles.

Jamie spent more than 20 hours a day running, covering more than 3 marathons a day - a total of 20 marathons back-to-back. During the challenge, he broke through both physical and emotional barriers, finally reaching ‘the beyond’, having bouts of naturally formed hallucinations and chemicals being produced around his body, surprisingly giving him power to continue on.

Putting his mind and body in and pushing beyond painful places few will ever experience, Jamie knows what can drive humans, no matter what, to keep going.

His latest adventure in 2023, Jamie visited the 7 Modern Wonders of the World in the fastest time using Travelport+, securing another Guinness World Record. Throughout the journey, spanning four continents, nine countries, 13 flights, and various modes of transport, including 16 taxis, nine buses, four trains, and even a toboggan, Jamie covered 22,856 miles in just 6 days, 16 hours, and 14 minutes.

In-between adventures, Jamie travels to conferences giving motivational, entertaining and inspiring keynote talks to businesses and university students all around the world; showing current and future generations that with the right motivation, we are capable of achieving so much more - more than we’ll ever realise.

With all the challenges under his belt, Jamie has raised more than £1 million for charity and in 2019 was awarded the Pride of Britain ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ and continues giving back.

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