The Man Who Climbed the Shard Without Ropes: Near Death, Prison & the Addiction to Danger
Wed Jan 28 2026
From scaling cranes and skyscrapers to surfing moving trains and base jumping, George King has built a life around confronting fear head-on - even when the consequences are severe. Known worldwide as The Shard Climber, George joins us for a raw and unfiltered conversation about the mindset that led him to climb London’s tallest building without ropes or any safety gear, and the heavy fallout that followed.
George opens up about dreaming of the Shard from the age of 13, the months of secret planning that consumed his life, and the obsessive preparation required to step off the ground knowing there would be no second chances. He describes the fear that hits mid-climb, the mental techniques he uses to stay calm when his body is screaming to stop, and the near-death moments where a single mistake would have meant falling hundreds of feet.
He takes us inside the climb itself - including surreal encounters through the glass high above London - and explains why the climb was never about fame, money, or social media, but about fulfilling something deeply personal. George also reflects on the moment police shook his hand at the top, and how that fleeting sense of admiration later gave way to a harsh legal reality.
The conversation then turns to the aftermath: his six-month sentence in Pentonville prison, and the psychological toll of living there.
We also explore the impact his actions have had on his family, particularly his mum, the guilt that comes with putting loved ones through constant worry, and why he is adamant that others should not attempt what he does. Despite the risks, George explains why stopping entirely would be more dangerous for him personally, and how these pursuits have kept him away from darker paths.
From cranes, trains, and wind turbines to future plans involving base jumping, this episode goes beyond shock value to examine obsession, purpose, and what happens when a passion exists on the thin line between freedom and fatality.
https://www.shardclimber.com/
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From scaling cranes and skyscrapers to surfing moving trains and base jumping, George King has built a life around confronting fear head-on - even when the consequences are severe. Known worldwide as The Shard Climber, George joins us for a raw and unfiltered conversation about the mindset that led him to climb London’s tallest building without ropes or any safety gear, and the heavy fallout that followed. George opens up about dreaming of the Shard from the age of 13, the months of secret planning that consumed his life, and the obsessive preparation required to step off the ground knowing there would be no second chances. He describes the fear that hits mid-climb, the mental techniques he uses to stay calm when his body is screaming to stop, and the near-death moments where a single mistake would have meant falling hundreds of feet. He takes us inside the climb itself - including surreal encounters through the glass high above London - and explains why the climb was never about fame, money, or social media, but about fulfilling something deeply personal. George also reflects on the moment police shook his hand at the top, and how that fleeting sense of admiration later gave way to a harsh legal reality. The conversation then turns to the aftermath: his six-month sentence in Pentonville prison, and the psychological toll of living there. We also explore the impact his actions have had on his family, particularly his mum, the guilt that comes with putting loved ones through constant worry, and why he is adamant that others should not attempt what he does. Despite the risks, George explains why stopping entirely would be more dangerous for him personally, and how these pursuits have kept him away from darker paths. From cranes, trains, and wind turbines to future plans involving base jumping, this episode goes beyond shock value to examine obsession, purpose, and what happens when a passion exists on the thin line between freedom and fatality. https://www.shardclimber.com/