Head Above Water

Alex Staniforth is no stranger to overcoming challenges, both in the outdoors and everyday life, having survived the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history as a teenager and suffered with mental ill health, epilepsy, a stammer and bullying since school.

An adventurer, ultra-runner, author and charity founder, he is now the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK county tops by human power and in 2020 he ran the National Three Peaks Challenge – covering 452 miles in just 9 days 12 hours.

However, in 2022 Alex faced a different kind of endurance challenge – Long Covid.

Whilst unable to pursue his goals as an athlete, he discovered the healing power of open water swimming for mental health.

This film explores Alex’s journey of identity, discovery and recovery, and his ambitious attempt at a comeback challenge – the Frog Graham Round.