John Pendal - Leather Biography
Hawaii, June 2004 (by Dave Harris)
I have lived in the UK all my life, and in London from 1996 to 2019. I started this guide in response to the gay press, which often seemed to be led by which clubs paid for advertising. As a result I've turned down every request to make money from this site. There are no banner adverts or pop ups, and no one has paid me for any of the content.
I won the Mr Hoist leather contest on 8th February 2003. The Hoist sponsored me to enter the 25th annual International Mr Leather in Chicago in May 2003 and no-one was more surprised than me when I won that too. You can read my diary of what it was like to be an IML contestant here.
I took the year off work to travel to leather events full time. From July 2003 to June 2004 I travelled 100,000 miles visiting 28 cities in the US, Europe and Canada. I documented my travels in monthly diary entries and summarised the year in my IML step-down speech. As part of my IML prize I won a 100th anniversary special edition Harley Davidson motorbike, which was raffled throughout my year. This raised over $22,000 – split equally between the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago and the Spanner Trust in the UK.
In February 2004 I was honoured to receive two Pantheon of Leather awards: the International award and "Community Choice (Men)".
From June 2003 to May 2010 I was a regular columnist on Joe Gallagher's Leatherpage.Com - you can see a full list of my columns by clicking here.
I was a trustee of the Spanner Trust from May 2004 to May 2008 and its chairman from September 2005 to December 2006.
I've worked as a stand-up comedian from 2010-2020 performing kinky comedy around the world. Then covid hit and all my life work was cancelled. Now I work as a life coach and kink mentor online via video calls, helping people who feel like outsiders with any area of their life where they feel dissatisfied.
EDUCATION
KINK MENTORING & LIFE COACHING
During covid lockdown I completed a diploma with Animas Centre for Coaching, an FAA Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health and FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health. I'm now working full time as an online coach helping clients around the world with self-acceptance and happiness, kink mentoring, and also sessions with autistic folk to unpack what that means for them. More info at www.johnpendal.com
In July 2022 I presented an online workshop on 'Autism and Kink' for Thorn Harbour Health in Melbourne, Australia. You can watch a recording on their Down & Dirty website. (downandirty.org/upclose/dnd-live-autism-and-kink/)
PRESENTED SM CLASSES
I've taught workshops at Beyond Leather in Fort Lauderdale (2018 & 2019); Bloom Community (2023); Darklands, Antwerp (2020); Down an Dirty in Melbourne, Australia (2015 in person & 2020/2022 online); Edgeplay Scotland group in Edinburgh (2016-2019); G.O.D.S. in Denver (2023 & 2024); HunCon in Budapest (2019, 2022 & 2023); Inferno (2009 & 2010); Kink Between the Lines (2022 & 2023); Kink Convention in Denmark (2022 - 2024); Kinkferansen in Oslo (2019); Kinkfest in London (2005 & 2008); Kinky Queer Weekend (2021); Leather Camp in Wichita (2006); London Alternative Market (2008, 2016-2021); Lupercalia in Canada (2017 & 2018); Minnesota Leather Pride (2004); Mr Leatherman Toronto (2007); Palm Springs Leather Pride (2004); Pandemonium in the Prairies, Saskatoon (2024); Portsmouth KinkCon, UK (2024); The Red Horse Society (2021); Rome BDSM Conference (2017); SINSations in Leather (2010); SM Bergen, Norway (2020); SM Gays in London (2017 & 2018); Spring in the South in Atlanta (2008); Tribal Fire in Oklahoma (2009); Thunder in the Mountains in Denver (every year from 2007 to 2017); and Wicked Grounds (2023-2024).
I have also been a guest presenter for the Sexual Health Alliance Kink Certification Program (2021-2023)
There's a description of some of the SM workshops and seminars I offer here.
'PENDAL MODEL OF BDSM'
I devised an original model of BDSM to explain kinky sexuality (click here for more details) and presented it at the British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy conference in 2007 (now renamed the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists).
MEDIA
IN PRINT
Articles written for a various magazines, including EURO BEAR (vol 4 nos 22 and 23), INSTIGATOR (issues 10 and 12), MACH 21 (issue 1) and TUG (issue 007). There are also in-depth interviews in FORUM (vol 41 nos 9 and 10), and the LESBIAN AND GAY PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW (vol 6 no 3).
In 2022 I was interviewed about 'kink and autism' by Ayzad for his website: https://ayzad.com/kink-and-autism/
In 2024 I was interviewed by the team at Esmale for their blog: blog.esmale.com/2024/07/08/john-pendal-about-leather-fetish-and-coaching
I won the Mr Hoist leather contest on 8th February 2003. The Hoist sponsored me to enter the 25th annual International Mr Leather in Chicago in May 2003 and no-one was more surprised than me when I won that too. You can read my diary of what it was like to be an IML contestant here.
I took the year off work to travel to leather events full time. From July 2003 to June 2004 I travelled 100,000 miles visiting 28 cities in the US, Europe and Canada. I documented my travels in monthly diary entries and summarised the year in my IML step-down speech. As part of my IML prize I won a 100th anniversary special edition Harley Davidson motorbike, which was raffled throughout my year. This raised over $22,000 – split equally between the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago and the Spanner Trust in the UK.
In February 2004 I was honoured to receive two Pantheon of Leather awards: the International award and "Community Choice (Men)".
From June 2003 to May 2010 I was a regular columnist on Joe Gallagher's Leatherpage.Com - you can see a full list of my columns by clicking here.
I was a trustee of the Spanner Trust from May 2004 to May 2008 and its chairman from September 2005 to December 2006.
I've worked as a stand-up comedian from 2010-2020 performing kinky comedy around the world. Then covid hit and all my life work was cancelled. Now I work as a life coach and kink mentor online via video calls, helping people who feel like outsiders with any area of their life where they feel dissatisfied.
EDUCATION
KINK MENTORING & LIFE COACHING
During covid lockdown I completed a diploma with Animas Centre for Coaching, an FAA Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health and FAA Level 3 Award in Supervising First Aid for Mental Health. I'm now working full time as an online coach helping clients around the world with self-acceptance and happiness, kink mentoring, and also sessions with autistic folk to unpack what that means for them. More info at www.johnpendal.com
In July 2022 I presented an online workshop on 'Autism and Kink' for Thorn Harbour Health in Melbourne, Australia. You can watch a recording on their Down & Dirty website. (downandirty.org/upclose/dnd-live-autism-and-kink/)
PRESENTED SM CLASSES
I've taught workshops at Beyond Leather in Fort Lauderdale (2018 & 2019); Bloom Community (2023); Darklands, Antwerp (2020); Down an Dirty in Melbourne, Australia (2015 in person & 2020/2022 online); Edgeplay Scotland group in Edinburgh (2016-2019); G.O.D.S. in Denver (2023 & 2024); HunCon in Budapest (2019, 2022 & 2023); Inferno (2009 & 2010); Kink Between the Lines (2022 & 2023); Kink Convention in Denmark (2022 - 2024); Kinkferansen in Oslo (2019); Kinkfest in London (2005 & 2008); Kinky Queer Weekend (2021); Leather Camp in Wichita (2006); London Alternative Market (2008, 2016-2021); Lupercalia in Canada (2017 & 2018); Minnesota Leather Pride (2004); Mr Leatherman Toronto (2007); Palm Springs Leather Pride (2004); Pandemonium in the Prairies, Saskatoon (2024); Portsmouth KinkCon, UK (2024); The Red Horse Society (2021); Rome BDSM Conference (2017); SINSations in Leather (2010); SM Bergen, Norway (2020); SM Gays in London (2017 & 2018); Spring in the South in Atlanta (2008); Tribal Fire in Oklahoma (2009); Thunder in the Mountains in Denver (every year from 2007 to 2017); and Wicked Grounds (2023-2024).
I have also been a guest presenter for the Sexual Health Alliance Kink Certification Program (2021-2023)
There's a description of some of the SM workshops and seminars I offer here.
'PENDAL MODEL OF BDSM'
I devised an original model of BDSM to explain kinky sexuality (click here for more details) and presented it at the British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy conference in 2007 (now renamed the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists).
MEDIA
IN PRINT
Articles written for a various magazines, including EURO BEAR (vol 4 nos 22 and 23), INSTIGATOR (issues 10 and 12), MACH 21 (issue 1) and TUG (issue 007). There are also in-depth interviews in FORUM (vol 41 nos 9 and 10), and the LESBIAN AND GAY PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW (vol 6 no 3).
In 2022 I was interviewed about 'kink and autism' by Ayzad for his website: https://ayzad.com/kink-and-autism/
In 2024 I was interviewed by the team at Esmale for their blog: blog.esmale.com/2024/07/08/john-pendal-about-leather-fetish-and-coaching
About to be shot in "No Time to Die"
FILMS
I've been interviewed on-screen for two documentaries: Kink Crusaders - released 2011, directed by Mike Skiff (www.imdb.com/title/tt1736010/) and Age of Consent - released 2014, directed by Charles Lum and Todd Verow (www.imdb.com/title/tt3403932/)
I played a the Texan prison officer who manacles Michael Fassbender and straps him to a table in Assassin’s Creed - released Jan 2017. (www.imdb.com/title/tt2094766/)
I'm also the first person to die after the opening credits in the James Bond film No Time To Die - released Oct 2021. (www.imdb.com/title/tt2382320/)
PODCASTS
Lockdown Booty Calls episode 4 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=PakIxNUWGEM (20 May 2020)
Queers & Co - episode 16: queersandco.captivate.fm/episode/027 (26 May 2021)
Sexual Heroes series 4 episode 8: buzzsprout.com/1184882/9782768 (27 Dec 2021)
2 Servings of Fruit ep. 43: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/2-servings-of-fruit (5 Oct 2022)
Lost Spaces Podcast: episodes.fm/1484938210/episode/ (28 Aug 2024)
I've been interviewed on-screen for two documentaries: Kink Crusaders - released 2011, directed by Mike Skiff (www.imdb.com/title/tt1736010/) and Age of Consent - released 2014, directed by Charles Lum and Todd Verow (www.imdb.com/title/tt3403932/)
I played a the Texan prison officer who manacles Michael Fassbender and straps him to a table in Assassin’s Creed - released Jan 2017. (www.imdb.com/title/tt2094766/)
I'm also the first person to die after the opening credits in the James Bond film No Time To Die - released Oct 2021. (www.imdb.com/title/tt2382320/)
PODCASTS
Lockdown Booty Calls episode 4 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=PakIxNUWGEM (20 May 2020)
Queers & Co - episode 16: queersandco.captivate.fm/episode/027 (26 May 2021)
Sexual Heroes series 4 episode 8: buzzsprout.com/1184882/9782768 (27 Dec 2021)
2 Servings of Fruit ep. 43: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/2-servings-of-fruit (5 Oct 2022)
Lost Spaces Podcast: episodes.fm/1484938210/episode/ (28 Aug 2024)
Hosting the London Fetish Weekend entertainment stage, Oct 2018
LIVE APPEARANCES
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
At the Leather Leadership Conference 11 in Minneapolis, April 2007. (There's a transcript of my speech here.)
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
For Mr San Francisco Leather (Sept 2003), Mr Belfast Leather (Dec 2003 and April 2005), Mr Palm Springs Leather (Nov 2004), Mr Midwest Leather in Dubuque, Iowa (April 2005), Tulsa Mr Leather (March 2006), Mr Leatherman Toronto (Nov 2007), Mr Hoist Rubber (2010 to 2012), Mr Hoist Leather (2005, 2010 to 2014), Thunder in the Mountains talent show (July 2010, 2015 and 2016), Mr Leather UK (2016 and 2017), London Fetish Weekend (2016 and 2018), and Mr Chicago Leather (every year from 2004 - 2020, and 2022).
In May 2012 I co-hosted the 34th International Mr Leather contest.
CONFERENCE SEMINARS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS
At the Leather Leadership Conference - New Orleans (2004), Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (2006), Leather Leadership Conference - Minneapolis (2007), the Leather Leadership Conference - Atlanta (2015 & 2019), the Neurodivergent Sexuality Conference (2024), the Victorian AIDS Council in Melbourne, Australia (2015) and at Lupercalia in Edmonton, Canada (2017).
SPEECHES ABOUT THE SPANNER TRUST
Too many to mention, but particular highlights have been Kinkfests 1 to 4 in London, Kinklusive in Manchester, UK and an MSC Belgium European leather weekend in Liège.
STAND-UP COMEDY
I worked as a stand-up comedian from 2010 to 2020 and performed over 1,200 gigs at comedy clubs and theatres across the UK as well as solo shows in Atlanta, Bergen, Budapest, Chicago, Cleveland, Denmark, Denver, Edmonton (Canada), Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Oslo, Rome and West Palm Beach. I tailored my material for different audiences and have experience ranging from university students to rural village halls, and military bases to fetish weekends.
Corporate/ festival work included BearScotFest (Edinburgh), The Big Weekend (Cambridge), Darklands (Antwerp), Folsom Europe (Berlin) and the National LGBT Police Conference (Manchester). I've also made the finals of two national comedy competitions: Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2015 and Old Comedian of the Year 2016.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
At the Leather Leadership Conference 11 in Minneapolis, April 2007. (There's a transcript of my speech here.)
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
For Mr San Francisco Leather (Sept 2003), Mr Belfast Leather (Dec 2003 and April 2005), Mr Palm Springs Leather (Nov 2004), Mr Midwest Leather in Dubuque, Iowa (April 2005), Tulsa Mr Leather (March 2006), Mr Leatherman Toronto (Nov 2007), Mr Hoist Rubber (2010 to 2012), Mr Hoist Leather (2005, 2010 to 2014), Thunder in the Mountains talent show (July 2010, 2015 and 2016), Mr Leather UK (2016 and 2017), London Fetish Weekend (2016 and 2018), and Mr Chicago Leather (every year from 2004 - 2020, and 2022).
In May 2012 I co-hosted the 34th International Mr Leather contest.
CONFERENCE SEMINARS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS
At the Leather Leadership Conference - New Orleans (2004), Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (2006), Leather Leadership Conference - Minneapolis (2007), the Leather Leadership Conference - Atlanta (2015 & 2019), the Neurodivergent Sexuality Conference (2024), the Victorian AIDS Council in Melbourne, Australia (2015) and at Lupercalia in Edmonton, Canada (2017).
SPEECHES ABOUT THE SPANNER TRUST
Too many to mention, but particular highlights have been Kinkfests 1 to 4 in London, Kinklusive in Manchester, UK and an MSC Belgium European leather weekend in Liège.
STAND-UP COMEDY
I worked as a stand-up comedian from 2010 to 2020 and performed over 1,200 gigs at comedy clubs and theatres across the UK as well as solo shows in Atlanta, Bergen, Budapest, Chicago, Cleveland, Denmark, Denver, Edmonton (Canada), Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Oslo, Rome and West Palm Beach. I tailored my material for different audiences and have experience ranging from university students to rural village halls, and military bases to fetish weekends.
Corporate/ festival work included BearScotFest (Edinburgh), The Big Weekend (Cambridge), Darklands (Antwerp), Folsom Europe (Berlin) and the National LGBT Police Conference (Manchester). I've also made the finals of two national comedy competitions: Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2015 and Old Comedian of the Year 2016.
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
I'm available to teach workshops in person and online. I also work full-time as a kink mentor and life coach online with English-speaking clients around the world. Please send me a message via the form below if you are interested.
If you'd like to watch some comedy I have a YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/johnpendal - including the full version of my last show "Monster" at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZAXNkrwII (18+ age restriction due to content)
I'm available to teach workshops in person and online. I also work full-time as a kink mentor and life coach online with English-speaking clients around the world. Please send me a message via the form below if you are interested.
If you'd like to watch some comedy I have a YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/johnpendal - including the full version of my last show "Monster" at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZAXNkrwII (18+ age restriction due to content)
Page updated 23 Sept 2024
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2024 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2024 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
