James Ketchell

Ocean Rower, Aviator, Everest summiteer, Speaker, Scouting Ambassador & World Cyclist. Author of, two books available at

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

A busy and incredibly rewarding week in Los Angeles. 🇺🇸

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Los Angeles as part of a school speaking tour, delivering motivational talks to students and sharing some of my experiences, lessons and challenges along the way.

One of the things I enjoy most about speaking in schools is that, wherever in the world I happen to be, I’m always made to feel incredibly welcome. The enthusiasm and engagement from the students was fantastic, and the talks were very well received.

A huge thank you to Oaktree Capital for their support and for helping make the trip possible. The work they are doing with inner-city schools is incredibly valuable, and it was a privilege to play a small part in it.

I’m now back in the UK and heading to Devon today to speak at another school before turning my attention to the next challenge — preparing the boat, with a potential new owner travelling all the way from Japan to take a look at it!

A big thank you to everyone who continues to support me and the work I do with young people. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to share experiences, hopefully inspire others, and perhaps make a small difference along the way.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

#Leadership #Motivation #Education #Schools #Mindset #Inspiration #PersonalDevelopment

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

Because I was inverted! #flying #aviation #dreams #goals

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

ATTENTION – TO EVERYONE GETTING THEIR GCSE RESULTS TODAY.

Whatever results you get today, I hope you can be proud of the effort you've put in.
If you got the results you wanted — congratulations! 🎉 

If you didn’t, it’s not the end of the world, although the disappointment can feel massively overwhelming at the time.

Some of the most successful people I have ever met have had many setbacks, but they keep trying. That’s one of the major attributes that makes them successful.

Remember… you only truly fail when you give up.

If you need certain results to move forward in your career path and didn’t get them, it’s okay. You can have another go. Some of the most amazing things that have happened to me have come off the back of disappointment.

Having to do things again because you didn’t quite get it right the first time is all part of life.

Just keep going...Your story in life is only just beginning! 

#gcse #gcseresults

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

It was an absolute pleasure to meet The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire today. Had a great afternoon out with KindledSpirit talking all things charity and new projects. Thank you to Mike for having us #charity #adventure #goals #learning

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

@jazzbluecat Really well done 👍💯🎉

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

@forza_matt Thanks Matt, that’s cool hope you enjoyed the talk 👍

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

James Ketchell is a record-breaking aviator, adventurer, and speaker. 

On 13 June 2026, James sailed into Gosport (UK) to complete an extraordinary third circumnavigation of the globe by sea, having previously flown a gyrocopter around the world in 2019 and cycled around the world in 2014. He becomes the first person to achieve the triple feat of circumnavigating the globe by land, by air and by sea. 

This remarkable achievement adds to an already impressive list of accomplishments. On 1st February 2014, James rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, successfully summit Mount Everest and cycle 18,000 miles around the world, in what the media dubbed ‘The Ultimate Triathlon’. 

In 2019 the British adventurer flew himself into the Guinness World Records when he became the first person to fly an officially ratified circumnavigation of the globe in his open cockpit gyrocopter. The mission was to inspire a million young people in classrooms over the world to pursue their own goals and dreams. 

It was an inauspicious start for James; in 2008 he was recovering from a serious motorcycle accident that had left him with broken legs and a severely broken and dislocated ankle. The prognosis was that he would likely suffer a permanent walking impairment and would certainly not be able to continue the active physical lifestyle he had so enjoyed.

Not all James adventures have been easy! He survived two mid ocean rescues and on one he found himself clinging to a rope ladder on the side of a 100,000-tonne oil tanker as he climbed to safety in storm force winds in the Indian Ocean. 

Having spent much of his teenage years struggling with no ambition and very little confidence. James has spent the last ten years passionately working to inspire young people, as well as sharing his lessons learned with companies around the world.

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

Town goes quick when you age having fun, can’t believe it was half a year ago that we were in Hobart #travel #adventure #aroundtheworld

[St Julie Catholic Primary School @stjulieprimary]

It was wonderful to welcome our friend James Ketchell @CaptainKetch back to St Julie today following his epic sail around the world. We loved hearing about his travels and in return we presented him with a book of adventures and thank you letters written by the children.

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

It’s was great to speak at Noadswood School yesterday.

I’m often asked what I speak about, here are a few things that I talk about.

The importance of kindness and treating people in a way you’d like to be treated and not judging others.

Learning to understand what you can and cannot control in life.

Breaking things down into manageable chunks.

Taking ownership of your actions and not blaming other people for things that are not going your way.

Understanding gratitude, and if you live in the western world and are physically able, you actually have a lot more than some people in this world.

Having a positive mindset and understanding that this is within our control.

The importance of believing in yourself and being open to trying new things.

Understanding that things go wrong in life and disappointment is just a part of life and how to deal with it.

Discipline, and the fact that all successful people are disciplined.

These are just a few things so hope that is useful for anyone asking or simply wondering. #speaking #adventure #learning #dreams #goals

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

This time last year…. You can do a lot in a year! Sadly Mindset isn’t looking as clean but will do soon. What a year #adventure #travel #aroundtheworld

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

The evenings were my favourite time of the day when I was sailing around the world.

We are still raising money for our amazing charities https://t.co/Bzjjbsuikc Thank you to everyone that has donated so far. #adventure #dreams #goals

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

A blast from the past, clearing out some old bits and found this promo leaflet…. Good memories, had no idea I would end up circumnavigating the planet three times back then #goals #dreams #adventure #fitness #motivation

We are still raising money for a fantastic charities https://t.co/UGS0MpOWXq Thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

It was an absolute pleasure to speak at Royal Russell School in #croydon today. Sharing stories of fun, adventure and life lessons #speaker #learning #motivation

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

Looking forward to getting stuck into next week. Starting off in Croydon tomorrow with a school. Hope you all have a great week #aroundtheworld #goals #dreams #fitness #discipline

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

It was great to get back on board Mindset this morning, albeit only a quick visit. Been back for two weeks as of tomorrow, time goes quick when you are busy!

We are still raising money for our fantastic charities https://t.co/UGS0MpOWXq

Thank you to everyone that has donated so far. #adventure #aroundtheworld #charity #goals

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

Thanks to FOX & Friends First for a great interview! It was a pleasure to share stories of fun & adventure #travel #charity #adventure #aroundtheworld

Link to article https://t.co/ZVg25mKg3I

We are still raising money for our incredible charities, thank you to everyone who has donated so far. https://t.co/UGS0MpOWXq

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

Feeling very happy after having sailed around the world!

We are still raising funds for our fantastic charities if you are able to spare a few pounds. https://t.co/UGS0MpOWXq

Day by day, bit by bit, we did it! I have been asked a lot recently, “what did I learn from sailing around the world” too much for one post to say, but never underestimate the power of breaking things down into manageable chunks. And having good people around you!

#adventure #dreams #goals #aroundtheworld #motivation

[Fox & Friends First @FoxFriendsFirst]

WORLD TOUR: One Explorer Has Just Become The Very First Person To Travel Around The Globe Three Times Once By Land Once By Sea And Once By Air
@CaptainKetch Joined F&F First This Morning To Share His Story

[James Ketchell @CaptainKetch]

Happy Father’s Day to my dad, (John) who was has been instrumental in helping me achieve a lot. Especially my recent sail around the world!