Profile Mondays: Ed Stafford

Birthplace: Peterborough, England 

Age: 38

Profession: Adventurer

Ambassador (for): Land Rover, Scouts

Ed Stafford is the first and only man to walk the entire length of the Amazon River, eventually completing his adventure in August 2010, after first setting off 2 and half years earlier. In 2011, Ed was awarded the honour of European Adventurer of the Year. 

The original plan was to follow the river with his friend Luke using only a map, however, after realising the maps were inaccurate and a fall out with Luke, he soon found himself alone and having to use satellite to map his location.

Whilst travelling through a village some months later, a boy called Cho had took interest in Ed's expedition and wished to guide him through some of the more dangerous parts of the forest for the next 6 days. 

Two years on and Cho was still by Ed's side. On the 9th August 2010, they had finally reached the sea and in doing so, Ed became the first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon River. 

Although not technically walking the full length of the river, Cho had completed 80% of it, an outstanding achievement regardless. Ed regularly credits him for being the backbone of the expeditions success and both are still good friends today.

An ex British Army captain before leaving in 2002, Stafford is clearly a man driven by adventure and challenges. His next was a TV show on the Discovery Channel called Naked and Marooned. The challenge was to spend 60 days on an inhabited island with only a camera to film himself (and yes, that does mean no clothing). 

Much like the documentary of his Amazon trek, the show was a success and has given Ed further recognition as an adventurer and TV star. 

Stafford is also an author and motivational speaker.