Benjamin "Ben" John Saunders (born 5 August 1977 in Plymouth) is an English polar explorer, endurance athlete, and motivational speaker. He is best known for leading the first ever return journey to the South Pole on foot via Shackleton and Scott"s route in 2013-14, for skiing solo to the North Pole in 2004, and for blogging live from his expeditions. He is the third in history and the youngest by ten years to reach the North Pole alone and on foot. Saunders has skied more than 3,700 miles (6,000 km) on polar expeditions since 2001. He holds the record for the longest human-powered polar journey in history (2,888 km) and for the longest solo Arctic journey by a Briton (1,032 km). He said that "I am an explorer of limits geographically, physically and mentally. It"s about pure human endeavour, and the way in which I can inspire others to explore their own personal potential."