SERIAL adventurer James Ketchell is an inspiration and his story is one of triumph in adversity.
Just like Naked Leader, James has a can-do attitude and has gone out and proved that anything is possible.
A motorcycle accident in 2007 shattered his ankle into 15 pieces and left James fearing he would never walk normally again.
But seven years on, aged 31, he defied his doctors concerns to become the first person ever to row the Atlantic, climb Mount Everest and cycle around the world.
James, from Holloway in London, fought back during his recovery and, three years later, he single-handedly rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. The Everest claim followed and he topped that off with his epic cycle adventure.
‘Mentally, the cycle was the toughest part of my triathlon, but physically it was climbing Everest,’ he said. ‘The Atlantic row was actually quite enjoyable. I had to push myself every day. You’re only really living when you’re outside of your comfort zone, and I definitely couldn’t have done it without my friends and family.’
So, in terms of Naked Leader, James’s message, which he spreads via educational visits in his role as an engaging speaker, giving compelling talks to aspiring school kids, is this: ‘Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. Follow your dream and make it happen for you.’
And so say all of us.