George King
Shard Climber – Defying Limits, Scaling Heights, Inspiring Audiences
- First Free Solo Ascent of The Shard: Achieved international recognition by becoming the first person to free solo climb The Shard in London, one of Europe’s tallest buildings.
- Global Urban Climbing Expeditions: Traveled extensively to scale and BASE jump from some of the world’s tallest structures, including Europe’s tallest rollercoaster, “Red Force,” in Spain.
- Advocate for Neurodiversity Awareness: Leverages a global platform to challenge stigma around ADHD, drawing on personal experience to inspire greater understanding, acceptance, and empowerment for neurodivergent individuals.
Full Profile
George King: The Shard Climber
George King, widely recognised as The Shard Climber, is a young pioneer in the world of extreme sports and urban free climbing.
His most talked-about achievement was scaling London’s iconic Shard in 2019 at the age of just 19, a stunt that catapulted him into the global spotlight.
George King BASE jumps from the buildings he climbs, using a parachute to descend safely to the ground. He has also climbed the Lotte Tower in Seoul, South Korea, and the Stratosphere Tower in London, Copenhill, and Copenhagen, Denmark.
With each climb, George King has further confirmed his reputation as a daredevil urban climber.
As a result of his radical feats and likeable, down-to-earth character, George has gained work as a TV presenter for Channel 4, presenting two extreme sports specials. In 2020, George was featured in a Channel 4 documentary called The Boy Who Climbed The Shard. It has currently gained an extraordinary 1.6M views on YouTube.
A popular and engaging speaker, George talks openly on fear management, touching on the theme of neurodiversity, specifically ADHD, with his first-hand knowledge of the subject.
More about George:
Fearless Pursuit: Conquering the Heights Within
From a very young age, George was intrigued by fear. He was consumed by curiosity about fear and was obsessed with unravelling its mysteries so sought to understand, control and harness it.
His mission is to transform people’s lives through changing their relationship with their fears, because everyone has fears, whether they like to admit it or not.
From Hindrance to Superpower: Reclaiming Strength through Neurodiversity
Growing up, academic success within traditional educational settings eluded George, leading to premature (and often underestimated) judgments of his intelligence and pace of learning.
His journey took a significant turn for the worse following an ADHD diagnosis, which resulted in him being medicated with Ritalin. This treatment, however, felt like it stripped away my essence, transforming me into someone I hardly recognised. George feels strongly that if it’s necessary to give a child a drug for them to be normal in school, that’s a clear sign that schooling is not for them.
During this challenging period, George began to forge mental strategies to redirect the energies of his ADHD from a debilitating hindrance into a powerful and positive force. This experience taught him to view ADHD not as a limitation but as a unique strength or superpower when harnessed and directed appropriately.
As a consequence, he chose to discontinue medication, having learned to navigate and manage his ADHD effectively on his own terms. Central to his mission is empowering other individuals grappling with neurodiversity issues to reclaim control over their personal narrative and find what works for them from a position of knowledge.
Talks
As a speaker, George focuses on the techniques used to control his mind and body in situations of extreme stress (including visualisation, mindfulness and disciplined physical preparation). He discusses how these strategies can be adapted to help anyone confront and conquer their fears for overcoming personal challenges, navigating tricky professional environments or conquering daunting physical endeavours.
George illustrates the importance of mental resilience through his captivating stories of urban climbing and BASE jumping. His talks demonstrate how to cultivate mental toughness, which can be crucial for overcoming daunting challenges and achieving personal goals.
George shares his personal journey with ADHD, including the challenges he faced in traditional educational settings and the subsequent misjudgments of his capabilities. His experience illustrates how perceived limitations, like neurodiversity, can be transformed into unique strengths, providing a powerful narrative on embracing individual differences.
This topic explores the physical and mental preparation required to perform at one’s best in any field. George delves into his rigorous training regimens, the importance of discipline, and the strategies he employs to push beyond his limits. He offers insights into how these principles can be applied to achieve peak performance in various aspects of life, from career ambitions to personal goals.
George discusses the importance of innovative thinking and risk management in extreme sports and beyond. He shares how he assesses risks, makes critical decisions under pressure, and leverages creativity to navigate challenges. This speech is particularly relevant for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to enhance their decision-making skills in high-stakes situations.