Richard Bowles

Richard Bowles is not your ordinary thrill-seeker. A five-time world record-breaking adventurer, educator, and executive advisor, Richard is on a mission to inspire individuals and organisations to thrive amongst uncertainty and chaos. As the founder of ‘Adventure Alchemy’ and a top 20-rated APAC speaker, his work blends courageous real-world experiences, cutting-edge research, and actionable strategies to transform leaders into fearless explorers.

From running the entirety of Australia's gruelling 5,330 km Bicentennial National Trail to surviving erupting volcanoes, crocodile-infested rivers, and missile fire, Richard’s adventures are the stuff of legend. His record-breaking endurance feats span continents, including New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail, Israel National Trail, and South Australia's Heysen Trail. Along the way, he’s immersed himself in unconventional experiences, pulling a rickshaw while living on the streets of India, training alongside Japan’s Marathon Monks enduring the perilous kaihōgyō, and working in the death industry to better understand compassion and humanity.

Far more than extreme endurance and survival, Richard transforms these experiences into profound lessons about leadership, resilience, and innovation. He draws on a foundation in psychology and science-backed research to deliver captivating keynotes and workshops that challenge individuals to embrace an Adventurous Mindset. His insights equip organisations to navigate turbulence and complexity, no molten lava required.

Trusted by industry leaders like NAB, BHP, Salesforce, and Woolworths, Richard’s dynamic storytelling has captivated audiences on CNN, Sky News, The Financial Review, and popular programs like Today and Sunrise. He’s also the creative force behind acclaimed documentary series, including ‘Surviving Struggle’, and has appeared as a leadership expert on ‘Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars’.

From war zones to boardrooms, jungles to corporate stages, Richard Bowles has dedicated his life to proving that chaos is not an obstacle but rather an opportunity. Whether it’s exploring the physical limits of endurance or inspiring transformative change in leadership, Richard ignites the spirit of adventure in everyone he meets.