Building Resilience in Business Lessons from The Tempest Two

At BizX 2026, hosted by ActionCOACH UK, one of the most compelling sessions came from The Tempest Two.

James and Tom are not traditional business speakers. They are professional adventurers who deliberately take on extreme challenges with little or no prior experience. Their goal is simple but powerful. To prove that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things by stepping into the unknown.

For UK business owners, their message translates directly into one of the most important traits required for growth and leadership. Resilience.

Why Resilience Matters More Than Ever in Business

Running a business in the UK today is not straightforward. Markets shift. Costs rise. Competition increases. Uncertainty is constant.

In this environment, strategy and skill matter, but resilience often determines who succeeds over the long term.

Resilience is not just about surviving difficult periods. It is about continuing to take action, make decisions, and move forward when conditions are far from ideal.

The experiences shared by The Tempest Two offer a powerful lens through which business owners can rethink their own challenges.

Facing the Unknown Head On

One of the defining aspects of their philosophy is choosing to take on challenges without prior experience.

They do not wait until they feel ready. They begin, learn quickly, and adapt under pressure.

For many business owners, this will feel familiar. Growth often requires stepping into areas where you do not yet have full confidence or expertise.

Launching a new product, entering a new market, hiring senior staff, or seeking investment all involve uncertainty.

The difference lies in how you respond to that uncertainty.

Do you wait until everything feels safe and certain, or do you move forward, learn, and adjust as you go?

The Atlantic Challenge: Endurance Under Pressure

One of their most extreme achievements was rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 54 days.

This was not a controlled or predictable environment. They faced exhaustion, isolation, severe weather, and even a hurricane.

For business owners, the lesson is clear. Difficult periods are not a sign that something has gone wrong. They are part of the journey.

There will be times when progress feels slow, when energy is low, and when external conditions are working against you.

Resilience is what keeps you moving during those moments.

Climbing El Capitan: Learning at Speed

Another challenge saw them climb El Capitan, a 3,000 foot rock face, despite having no prior climbing experience.

This was not just a physical test. It was a test of learning under pressure.

In business, this skill is invaluable. Markets evolve quickly. Technology changes. Customer expectations shift.

Leaders who can learn quickly and apply that learning in real time are far more likely to succeed.

For UK business owners, this means embracing continuous development. Not waiting for perfect knowledge, but building capability through action.

Removing the Word “Can’t”

A central theme in their talk is the idea that the word “can’t” is limiting and often misleading.

In many cases, “can’t” really means “have not tried yet” or “do not know how yet”.

In business, this mindset can quietly hold organisations back.

Examples might include:

• We cannot enter that market
• We cannot charge higher prices
• We cannot compete with larger companies
• We cannot change our business model

When these beliefs go unchallenged, they become barriers to growth.

By removing “can’t” and replacing it with curiosity and experimentation, new possibilities begin to emerge.

Resilience Is Built, Not Born

One of the more scientific ideas they touched on is the role of the Anterior Mid Cingulate Cortex.

Their point is that resilience and willpower are not fixed traits. They can be developed.

The way to build them is simple in theory but challenging in practice. Do things that are difficult, especially when you do not feel like doing them.

In a business context, this might include:

• Having difficult conversations with team members
• Addressing performance issues directly
• Making decisions with incomplete information
• Taking responsibility during challenging periods
• Maintaining discipline when motivation is low

Each time you choose to act despite discomfort, resilience strengthens.

The Role of Mindset and Self Talk

An important takeaway from the wider BizX experience, reinforced by attendee feedback, is the role of internal dialogue.

How you speak to yourself as a business owner matters.

Negative self talk can reduce confidence, slow decision making, and increase hesitation.

Positive and constructive self talk, on the other hand, supports action and resilience.

This is not about ignoring reality. It is about choosing a mindset that allows you to respond effectively.

Building Resilience Within Your Team

Resilience is not just an individual trait. It can be developed across an entire organisation.

For UK business owners, this means creating an environment where:

• Challenges are seen as opportunities to learn
• Effort and persistence are recognised
• Open communication is encouraged
• People feel supported during difficult periods

When teams are resilient, businesses become more stable and adaptable.

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities

Another idea that emerged during the event was the importance of connection and proactive behaviour.

Attendees spoke about “squirreling”, the act of actively connecting with others to create opportunities.

In business, this reflects a broader principle. Opportunities rarely appear without effort. They are created through action, conversation, and persistence.

Resilient business owners do not wait for ideal conditions. They engage, explore, and build relationships even during uncertain times.

Letting Go of Negativity and Holding Onto Progress

The event concluded with a symbolic exercise where participants let go of negativity and held onto new ideas and insights.

While symbolic, the message is practical.

Business owners face constant pressure. Not every decision will work. Not every plan will succeed.

Holding onto negativity can slow progress and reduce clarity.

What This Means for UK Business Owners

The lessons from The Tempest Two are not about extreme adventure. They are about mindset, action, and resilience.

For UK business owners, the application is clear:

• Take action even when you do not feel fully ready
• Develop resilience by facing difficult tasks directly
• Challenge limiting beliefs and remove “can’t” from your thinking
• Learn quickly and adapt under pressure
• Build resilience within your team, not just yourself
• Stay proactive in creating opportunities

Final Thought

Resilience is not built in easy moments. It is built when things are uncertain, uncomfortable, and challenging.

The Tempest Two show that extraordinary results are not reserved for a select few. They are available to those willing to step forward, face difficulty, and keep going.

For UK business owners, that mindset can be the difference between staying where you are and building something that truly grows and lasts.