Leon McCarron is an author, adventure filmmaker and motivational speaker hailing from Articlave, Northern Ireland. His captivating storytelling is centred around human-powered expeditions, reflected in his three compelling books, The Road Headed West (an Amazon best-seller), The Land Beyond (shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Adventure Travel Book of the Year award), and his most recent title Wounded Tigris: A River Journey through the Cradle of Civilisation, published in 2023.
Leon’s remarkable endeavours span diverse landscapes and cultures, from walking 3000 miles across China (filmed for the Nat Geo series Walking Home From Mongolia), to traversing the Santa Cruz Valley in Patagonia on horseback and trekking across the Omani desert for the documentary Into The Empty Quarter, a finalist at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Continuing his passion for the wild places of the planet, Leon has helped to pioneer trail mapping in Jordan alongside the Abraham Path Initiative, as well as in China, crafting a 100-kilometre hiking and biking trail which unveils the region's rich cultural heritage.
An accomplished on-screen presenter, Leon's credits include Hidden Frontiers for Discovery US, as well as two BBC documentaries, Dufferin: Adventures in High Latitudes and The Unknown Prime Minister & Me. He has also presented and directed the YouTube Real Stories film How To Save A Tribe.
Leon is a much sought-after public speaker, sharing insights on adventure, leadership and human potential at prestigious institutions worldwide, including at Harvard, The Explorers Club, US clothing brand Filson, the Royal Geographical Society and the European Sports Conference.
Leon's insightful travels have garnered a devoted audience of 51,000 on social media. This has led to brand collaborations with the likes of The North Face, Keen, Zalando and Ford, who have all been drawn to his authentic, impactful storytelling and vast expertise in travel and adventure.
