At 24, a friend invited him to climb Wyoming’s Grand Teton. Without any previous high altitude experience or confidence, they reached the summit together—and John discovered something profound. Not just a love of climbing, but a laboratory for testing human potential.

What began as a single adventure evolved into something much bigger. He found himself climbing across the United States, then sharing those climbing stories at leadership events, teaching goal-setting, grit, and teamwork. As his climbing skills expanded, so did his speaking career—each fueling the other.

The real turning point came when he realized that physical ability was only part of the equation. Mental resilience was the key. So John dove deep, studying over 500 books on psychology, peak performance, and mental toughness. He tested every principle on progressively challenging mountains, learning to find fuel when exhausted, stay calm in chaos, and push forward when his body begged him to stop.

After successfully climbing three peaks in a single day, John knew he was ready for international mountains. That decision launched a remarkable 10-year journey through 71 countries, culminating in standing atop Mount Everest, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Elbrus, Vinson, and Carstensz Pyramid—all Seven Summits. Fewer than 400 people worldwide have achieved this.

The adventures tested him in extraordinary ways: avalanches, earthquakes, hurricanes, lightning strikes, and even tribal warfare in the Indonesian jungle. Featured on 60 Minutes, The Weather Channel, and TEDx, his experiences became powerful teaching moments.

But here’s the breakthrough discovery: the real mountains we climb aren’t made of rock and ice—they’re the challenges we face in our careers, relationships, and personal growth. The skills that kept John alive at 29,000 feet are the same skills that help sales teams push through rejection, medical professionals handle burnout, and educators inspire the next generation.

Today, John combines riveting storytelling with evidence-based strategies to help organizations reduce turnover, build resilience, and create cultures of excellence. Through his keynotes, courses, and books—including Climb On! and The Warrior Challenge—he shares practical, proven strategies that are unforgettable.

John Beede has stood on the summit of the tallest mountain on every continent. But his greatest achievement isn’t reaching those peaks; it’s helping thousands of professionals and teams discover their own summits.