Overcoming Adversity – Page 2

James Cracknell

After his partnership with Matt Pinsent, the double Olympic champion teamed up with Ben Fogle for a series of adventures. They rowed across the Atlantic and raced to the South Pole. In their next challenge (to run, swim and cycle across the States), James was very nearly killed by a truck. He endured a gruelling physical and neurological recovery – then took part in the coldest race on earth. James explains why we should all continue to test our limits.

Tom Daley

Tom Daley is an Olympic diver who won gold for Team GB alongside Matty Lee at the 2021 Tokyo Games, marking his fourth and highest-achieving Olympic medal to date. As well as a champion in his sport, Tom is a proud spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community.

Karen Darke

Karen has kayaked through Alaska’s Inner Passage and cycled from Tibet to Nepal, in spite of paralysis from the chest down. After claiming silver in London she squeezed in (and filmed) an Iron Man contest as part of her build up to Rio, and then took gold in the Paralympics (despite losing a year’s training after being hit by a car). Karen shows how we can best understand ourselves and others by attempting challenges. The emotions they untap aren’t signs of weakness, they help us heal: “Listening to yourself and dealing with fear makes you stronger.”

Elizabeth Day

In an age where we are constantly exposed to the achievements of others through social media, Elizabeth’s How To Fail podcast became an instant hit, exposing the myths behind the curated image of success. In interviewing some of the UK’s leading artists and thinkers, she exposes how closely connected success and failure are, and how to navigate between the two in a world that demands so much. 

Monty Don

Monty was twice expelled from school, and saw his first business (in jewellery) end in ruin. He’s suffered serious illness as well as financial disasters, but each time he’s emerged stronger and more determined. The Gardeners’ World frontman has never had a set career plan but he does have a remarkable story.

Giles Duley

Dissatisfied with fashion and celebrity photography, Giles Duley decided to focus on humanitarian issues, travelling to Sudan, Angola and Afghanistan to highlight the issues behind the conflicts. In 2011, while on patrol with the US Army, he stepped on an IED, losing both legs and an arm. His first impulse was to check his eyes and his right arm; with them he could still be a photographer and after months of rehab, he returned to work. Giles has since returned to Afghanistan and continues to document those affected by conflict around the world and their inspiring stories.

Ben Fogle

Since he first appeared on our screens in Castaway, Ben has rowed an ocean with James Cracknell, lived in Scott’s hut and joined Prince William in Botswana. He has also driven in Peru with a tense Hugh Dennis. The self-styled Accidental Adventurer has one big ambition remaining – to swim the Atlantic.

Jason Fox

Former Royal Marine Commando and SBS Sergeant, Jason Fox, or ‘Foxy’, has undertaken operations around the world including surveillance, hostage rescue, counter terrorism and counter narcotics missions. Now a broadcaster and instructor on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, he is also the bestselling author of Battle Scars: A Story of War and All That Follows in which he examines the unique teamwork, leadership and planning skills instilled by Special Forces training, but also the psychological and human cost of risking everything.

Frank Gardner

The investment banker turned reporter has made a remarkable recovery since being shot in Riyadh. He’s filmed in Afghanistan and LA, and returned to Saudi Arabia. Frank explains the battle of minds with Iran, with the potential for a working relationship which could help make the world a safer place. On general security risks, he believes “you don’t win or lose the struggle against terrorism, you can only reduce it to manageable levels.”

Stephanie Hirst

Stephanie Hirst has been a fixture on Commercial and BBC Radio during the last twenty-five years, and played at the highest level behind the mic. Since transitioning, she’s returned to National radio by joining Bauer’s Hits Radio brand. With diversity and inclusion close to her heart, she talks passionately about representation in the LGBTQ+ community and inspires others to believe in themselves and their goals.

Dame Kelly Holmes

With accolates and medals at every level of athletics, Kelly made history as the first British woman to win two Gold medals at the same games at the Athens Olympics. This incredible achievement was revealed to be even greater when Kelly later discussed the personal and psychological pressures she experienced. Now a broadcaster and author, she remains one of the country's most popular sporting figures, a mental and physical health advocate who explores what achievement, teamwork, preparation and values really look like.

Eddie Izzard

From running 43 marathons in 51 days with only six weeks training to learning to perform her standup shows in French and German to combining comedy, drama and political activism, Eddie Izzard’s career defies simple definition, and sometimes belief. She speaks about how she’s achieved all that she has and what lessons can be learned.

Amar Latif

Amar almost entirely lost his sight by the age of eighteen, but with determination and a desire to prove everyone wrong, he not only went on to explore the world, but start a business to help others do the same. He's also become a documentary filmmaker and presenter and has appeared on shows from The Last Leg, to The One Show, to Celebrity MasterChef.

Hon Dr Stuart Lawrence

Stuart has worked as a teacher and coach in schools, football teams, youth engagement programmes and with the Home Office and HMP Belmarsh. His own story, as well as that of his brother Stephen Lawrence, is one of hope, change, respect and resilience even in the toughest of times.

Paris Lees

Having been a columnist for newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian, Vice, and now Vogue, Paris is seen by many as the voice of a generation. Known for her award-winning journalism and work as an anti-bullying campaigner, in speeches she shares her own story of resilience from a difficult adolescence to the pressures of being so publicly open.

Dame Ellen MacArthur

The Vendée Globe is the toughest challenge the world's oceans have to offer: 100 days alone at sea, circumnavigating the globe. Ellen MacArthur captured the public’s attention as she battled against the elements and equipment failures during her gruelling 94 day voyage. Since becoming the fastest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe, she has founded the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, world leaders in the field of bringing the ideas behind the circular economy to life.

Charlie Martin

Charlie is blazing a trail in motorsport and aiming to make LGBTQ+ history as the first trans driver in the 24 hours of Le Mans. She captured the imagination of people around the world, and her story has been shared on television in the national news and in some prestigious international publications. Her fearlessness both in and out of the car makes Charlie one of the most eye catching and engaging drivers competing in motor racing today.

Paul McKenna

Combining psychology, hypnotherapy and behavioural science, Paul has sold over 10million books worldwide helping people exert positive influence over themselves, manage stress and addiction, build confidence and resilience, and realise their potential, and has become what The Times described as ‘one of the world’s most important modern gurus’.

Scotty Mills

As Britain's highest-ranking black Royal Marine, Scotty passes on his wisdom to some of the world's most elite performers, both as a team-leadership coach and as a motivational speaker. He was a driving force behind the success of the England football team at the 2018 World Cup and continues to work in the world of elite sport and business to develop innovative leadership, team cohesion and peak performance.

Hashi Mohamed

Arriving in England as a nine-year-old unaccompanied refugee, speaking almost no English and raised solely on state benefits, Hashi Mohamed overcame improbable odds to become a barrister, broadcaster, journalist and author. In his book People Like Us: What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain, Hashi draws on his own experiences to explore what businesses and policymakers can do to bring about meaningful change in the areas of social mobility, diversity and inclusion. 

Billy Monger

Cited as one of Britain’s most talented young drivers, Billy was involved in a serious accident during a Formula 4 race. Hospitalised and in critical condition, his injuries were so serious it led to the amputation of both legs. But in a few months he was racing again, and in a year, he was competing in Formula 3. Now a familiar face on TV, Billy's story of resilience, determination and realising your potential is both gripping and inspiring.

Chris Moon

One of the few to have survived capture by the brutal Khmer Rouge, Chris was then blown up by a landmine in Mozambique – losing a hand and part of his leg. He has since taken on dozens of gruelling ultramarathons. Leading by example, Chris talks about focus, self-belief, dealing with change and pushing yourself to the limit.