Inspirational Talks for Schools
Ricky Munday grew up on a council estate near Glasgow, doubted he’d amount to much — and went on to summit Everest. He’s on a mission to show young people, wherever they start, that their aspirations are worth having and worth chasing. His assemblies and workshops light that spark, and leave pupils talking about it for weeks.
Listen as Ricky engages with young people and answers every detailed question following an assembly talk.An assembly they don’t forget — and hands-on kit.
A visit is built around a whole-school or year-group assembly — Ricky’s “Follow Your Dreams” talk, told for young people, about growth mindset, perseverance and never giving up on a goal. He can add classroom workshops to go deeper, and pupils love getting hands-on with his real Everest kit — down suit, boots, goggles, oxygen mask — and hearing about living and working in Antarctica. There’s always time for questions, and they rarely run out. Suitable for primary and secondary, tailored to the age group.
It makes big aspirations feel possible.
Ricky’s story does something rare: it makes big aspirations feel possible for ordinary kids. He’s honest about setbacks and about the times he got things wrong, which is exactly why pupils believe him. His path — from a council estate to chartered accountant, to humanitarian work with the Red Cross, to Antarctica and Everest — also opens young eyes to the range of careers and lives available to them. Themes include growth mindset, resilience, perseverance, goal-setting and following your dreams.
90+ schools, and counting.
From primary assemblies to secondary year groups, Ricky has delivered his story to schools across Scotland, England and Wales — a Chartered Accountant and qualified Mountain Leader who failed exams, dropped out of university twice, and still reached the summit of the world.
More than a great story.
Raised aspirations
Where you’re from doesn’t cap what you can do. Pupils leave believing a bigger future is genuinely open to them.
Goal-setting that sticks
How to choose a summit worth chasing and break it into steps — the same method that got Ricky up Everest.
Resilience & mental toughness
Setbacks, exam nerves and fear are part of the climb. Ricky shows how to keep going when it gets hard.
It’s okay to struggle
Honest, age-appropriate reflection on mental health and asking for help — framed as a strength, not a weakness.
They don’t forget it.
Heads, teachers and pupils on what a visit does — in their own words.
“Ricky was thought-provoking, moving and engaging throughout… it definitely struck a chord with a number of our young people. I would unequivocally recommend Ricky to be a guest speaker at any school looking for someone to deliver a speech that could make a difference to young people.”
Pauline CarrHeadteacher, King’s Park Secondary School
“A truly inspirational talk, with pupils and teachers alike ready to go and try Everest for themselves! #followyourdreams”
Craigdhu Primary SchoolFunded by the PTA
“Wonderful talk to a group of P4–P7s — potentially a tough audience! They listened the whole way through and had so many questions they stayed past the lunch bell.”
Lynda Williamson
“A great speaker… he told of his amazing adventures in a way that had us all captivated. Truly inspiring — our children got to hear how he overcame his difficulties and achieved his goals.”
Teacher, Year 5/6 virtual talkTrustpilot, 5 stars
“Thank you for inspiring the next generation of explorers and adventurers… you’ve certainly inspired us to strive to make our dreams come true.”
Calderwood Primary School
“My Bearsden Academy son loved your talk — he talked about you unprompted. A miracle!”
ParentBearsden Academy
In a pupil’s own words: “Mr Munday has inspired me to do anything I want to do in my life… When he was climbing Mount Everest the first time he felt really sick at 7,900 metres so he had to go down. But after that he said to himself that he was going to go back better than ever and persevere to get to the summit — then he did it. After that talk he inspired me to do what I want in life.”— Pupil (P6), Livingston Village Primary School
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"We are a smaller school group in a specialist provision. Many lack resilience and motivation. You could literally hear a pin drop. Ricky pitched his presentation perfectly and everyone enjoyed. The pupils still talk about him! Truly inspirational."
Fiona Milligan - Hillpark Secondary School
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"Wow! What a fantastic way to spend a Monday morning. Our students were mesmerised by the stories of perseverance and resilience to summit Everest and complete the Marathon des Sables. The messages that failure is part of the learning journey and anything is possible couldn't have been clearer. I couldn't recommend Ricky highly enough"
Sarah Campbell - Headteacher, Settlebeck School
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"There's talks, then there's a truly spellbinding talk from Ricky Munday. Still reeling from hearing it at Bohunt Trust INSET day yesterday."
Ben Wilcox - Assistant Head, Bohunt Wokingham
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"You could literally hear a pin drop as our pupils listened with complete fascination to Ricky's amazing, inspirational adventure proving that determination and never giving up helps achieve dreams. We absolutely loved having Ricky visit and was amazing to see how engaged and how inquisitive our pupils were with his adventures. You never know, you may have inspired the next future generation of explorers!"
Lynne Scott - Sandwood School
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"A truly inspiring talk by Ricky, enjoyed by students and staff alike. Ricky was able to engage with even the most challenging students because he was very 'real'. This is not a story about something that has just come easily but a dream achieved through hard work and determination. Now more than ever, young people are needing to learn to be resilient and look after both their mental and physical well-being. I would highly recommend booking this talk as it will apply to anyone, whatever stage they are at in life."
Chantal Dean - Assistant Head Teacher, Pewsey Vale School
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"Ricky delivered an inspirational lecture to our 4th year students, awesome advice and very clear messages delivered in an engaging manner. A first class service provided by someone who wants to make a difference for society."
Craig McLaughlin - Associate Dean, University of Strathclyde
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"Ricky attended an induction session for the BA Accountancy students at Glasgow Caledonian University, he gave them an incredibly inspiring talk. He discussed how he had progressed through his career and then spent sometime discussing his Everest adventures. Both students and staff were mesmerised and inspired by him. I would not hesitate to recommend him!"
Wendy Mazzucco - Senior Lecturer, Glasgow Caledonian University
More than 90 schools.
Ricky has delivered talks at more than 90 schools across Scotland, England and Wales — from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Wrexham and the Forest of Dean.
Book a talk.
Every session is tailored to the age group and your theme — from a single inspiring assembly to a full day of assembly plus classroom workshops.
Assembly
One assembly or talk session — a year group or the whole school.
from £300
Full or half day
An assembly plus one or more classroom workshops, tailored to your pupils.
from £500
Cluster day
Several schools in the same area sharing one day.
from £200 per school
Fees are per engagement and exclude travel, billed at cost. Independent and private schools from £500. Sessions can be packaged with extra workshops. Prices shown are a guide — get in touch for a tailored quote.
I grew up on a council estate and failed my exams before I ever climbed anything. If these pupils take one thing from me, it’s that a setback isn’t the end of the story — it’s the start of a better one.— Ricky Munday
Bring Ricky to your school.
Tell me your school, year group and a rough date, and I’ll come back with availability and a tailored plan. Prefer email? talks@rickymunday.com.
