Jamie McAnsh has forged great success as a motivational speaker, disabled adventurer and award-winning athlete. Never letting adversity stop him, Jamie has transformed personal adversity into a beacon of hope and inspiration. Having woken paralysed back in 2014, Jamie has never let his diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome confine him, instead choosing to embrace life with renewed vigour. Now hired as a motivational speaker, Jamie is a passionate advocate for diversity, empowering audiences with his keynote speeches on overcoming adversity, setting goals and building positive, inclusive cultures.
Since waking paralysed in January 2014, Jamie McAnsh has experienced a life-changing journey. Despite facing restrictions and life in a wheelchair, Jamie has focused on living life to the fullest. Some of his most pivotal milestones include completing 12 extreme challenges in 12 months, raising £250,000 for charity, becoming the first person with CRPS to reach Mount Everest base camp on crutches and becoming the first disabled player to compete in the Welsh Open Squash Tournament. He has also represented Wales in wheelchair rugby, achieving regional success, hand-cycled 100 miles in 13 hours and completed the WAAT4 Challenge as the first wheelchair user – a 30k trek across the Brecon Beacons.
Most recently, in 2024, Jamie became the first person with Bilateral CRPS to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, adding yet another first to his list of incredible achievements. Having also survived a cancer diagnosis, and supported his mother through her diagnosis of a brain tumour, Jamie is committed to proving that a disability does not rule your abilities. In honour of his vigour for life and ability to overcome adversity, Jamie became the UK’s first Charles Holland Award winner in the “Against All Odds” category, the 2017 Greatest Achievement Award and the Brave Briton Award. In addition to his battle with CRPS and cancer, Jamie has also suffered from anxiety and depression due to feeling a burden to those around him, which today motivates him to advocate for mental health and resilience.
As the Founder of See No Bounds, Jamie has created the UK's first online community centre with a fast-growing business directory. When hired as a motivational speaker, Jamie channels his lived experiences into an unforgettable speech for his clients, focusing on diversity, overcoming adversity, goal setting and encouraging a positive and inclusive culture. As a guest speaker for all ages and backgrounds, Jamie inspires audiences to focus on their goals, remain positive and have the mental strength to carry on. As a seasoned speaker, Jamie has previously delivered the TEDx Talk “Get Back Up” and has a plethora of happy clients – from EDF Energy to the NHS. If you are looking for a motivational speaker who transforms adversity into positivity and hope, hire Jamie McAnsh today!
In February 2024 we sat down with Jamie McAnsh and discussed the importance of diversity & inclusion in business and how he overcame adversity after waking up paralysed. Watch our new and Exclusive Interview with Jamie McAnsh.
Reviews
Jamie McAnsh received a 5 star rating across 25 events in 2023
Agent Recommendation
"Jamie McAnsh is an extraordinary motivational speaker who transforms adversity into a powerful source of inspiration. His incredible journey from paralysis to becoming an award-winning athlete and adventurer is truly remarkable. Jamie’s speeches resonate with audiences, empowering them to overcome challenges, set ambitious goals and embrace diversity. His unwavering positivity and mental strength make him an exceptional choice for any event."
How to hire Jamie McAnsh
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Jamie McAnsh for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Jamie McAnsh's official speaking topics are listed below:
Diversity & Inclusion:
Jamie’s story is a powerful example of the importance of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life. Having lived with Neurodiversity and ADHD Jamie was already experienced living in an adapted world. After waking up paralysed, Jamie then navigated the world from a wheelchair for many years progressing onto crutches and finally onto carbon fibre KAFOs. He understands the barriers faced by those with disabilities and advocates for creating environments where everyone can thrive. Jamie emphasises the value of diverse perspectives and the necessity of inclusivity in fostering innovation and growth.
Dealing with Change:
Change is inevitable, but how we respond to it defines our future. Jamie’s journey, from waking up paralysed to becoming an accomplished athlete, adventurer and motivational speaker, exemplifies the power of adaptability. He shares strategies for embracing change, maintaining a positive outlook, and turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Resilience & Overcoming Challenges:
Jamie’s life is a masterclass in resilience. Despite being diagnosed with a debilitating condition, he has achieved feats that many would consider impossible, such as reaching Everest Base Camp and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. In his talks, Jamie reveals the mindset and strategies that helped him overcome these challenges, inspiring others to push through their own barriers and achieve their goals.
Goal Setting & Teamwork:
Success is rarely achieved alone. Jamie’s experiences, whether on the rugby court or in climbing mountains, highlight the importance of setting clear goals and working effectively as a team. He offers practical advice on how to set achievable objectives and build strong, cohesive teams that can overcome any challenge together
What Makes Good Leaders & Managers:
Leadership is about more than just giving orders; it’s about inspiring others to reach their potential. Drawing from his personal experiences and interactions with leaders in various fields, Jamie discusses the qualities that make an effective leader, including empathy, communication, and the ability to motivate and guide a team through difficult times.
Motivation & Inspiration:
Jamie’s life story is a source of inspiration for countless individuals. Through his talks, he motivates audiences to face their fears, set ambitious goals, and pursue their dreams with passion and determination. Jamie’s message is clear: no matter the obstacle, with the right mindset and determination, anything is possible. His story is that of hope and wants to share with you why you should always Get Back Up.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Jamie was absolutely fantastic! So many people resonated with his story and he has such great charisma!" - Mariana, EDI Coordinator, Sovereign Network Group
"The way Jamie shared his experience and insights resonated deeply with our team here at Reed & Mackay. Many of us left the event feeling inspired, motivated and uplifted. His words sparked some meaningful conversation and a renewed sense of purpose within our company, especially during wellness season. We really appreciated his willingness to share his journey and we hope to be in touch in the future to arrange further events!" - Reed & Mackay
"I just wanted to message to say thank you for all your help in arranging for Jamie to come and speak with us. He was amazing, everyone loved him. Would recommend him as a speaker to the other teams in the business plus the businesses we work with." - Sundeep, Large Loss Specialist, MIB
"Our professional learning day went incredibly well, and we are really grateful to have had Jamie as our guest speaker on the day - feedback so far from staff has been very positive. It has been a pleasure working with you throughout the organisation of our event." - Trish, Leadership Administrator & Professional Learning Coordinator, Minster Trust for Education
"The event went really well and Jamie was fantastic. All parents and students loved his talk and the messages it gave them in terms of the mindset needed to overcome adversity, show perseverance and the motivation needed to succeed in what you do. Thanks so much for suggesting Jamie as a speaker for the event and the organisation you and the team put into setting everything up." - Mr. Raye, Director of Sport, Oakwood Park Grammar School
"I just wanted to say thank you for your help in arranging Jamie's talk yesterday - everyone loved his speech and was fascinated by all the challenges he has overcome! He is a truly remarkable human being and his presentation outperformed my expectations. Really pleased with him." - Diana, Business Intelligence Analyst, TP ICAP
"Just a quick email to say thanks so much for hosting our Buzz Session today. What an inspiring story. Everyone in the office is chatting away about how they found your journey through life and how they relate to the ups and downs along the way. Best of luck with your next challenge, keep it up!" - Aegon
"Wanted to say thank you for organising and for Chris recommending Jamie - he was the perfect choice for our away day. He had such an amazing story to share and has achieved some pretty incredible things. I believe one of my colleagues is planning on getting in touch to do a talk to our mental health network as his journey has been extraordinary" - Jo, EDF Energy
"It was brilliant, thank you so much for sorting. He was not only an excellent speaker but such a great guest and person too" - Lucy, Bonhill Plc
"It went really well, Jamie was great and it really hit the right notes with the team" - Adam, General Sales Manager, Vanarama
"Yesterday’s meeting with Jamie was perfect! He exceeded our expectations and we can’t wait to share the video with the wider business next Wednesday. Everything he spoke about resonated with everyone on the call and I know he will have the same effect when it’s aired next week to the rest of the business." - Kim, Arjo
Such a huge thank you from Arjo!! The team loved the session today - as ever has had an impact on the team and thought-provoking and really appreciate how you made this relevant for the HR team. - Sarah, Arjo
"I speak for the management team of 60 colleagues when I say the session delivered by James was moving, inspiring, encouraging and motivating all rolled into one. I am pleased we chose James and I would happily recommend him to others depending on the requirements of their audience." - Glen, Whinfell Forest
"Jamie delivered an amazing session for our company as part of our Mental Health Awareness Week. His story was an emotional journey told with such honesty and somehow humour, leaving everyone in awe and inspired. I cannot recommend a speaking session from Jamie highly enough. He was a pleasure to work with throughout the process and has left a lasting impression on myself and everyone who attended the session." - Louise, Red Gate
"Thanks Jamie for an inspiring and entertaining talk focused on overcoming adversity, goal setting, and resilience. It has really helped the team reflect and refocus. Some great takeaways – be true to yourself, communicate, collaborate, and go at the pace that is right for you! Make sure you surround yourself with ‘radiators’ and not ‘drainpipes’ and recognise that we will all have ‘muddy puddle’ days, but we must have faith in the process and the people around you!" - Matt, Customer Care Operations Manager Europe, Illumina
"We thoroughly enjoyed Jamie’s presentation. It was inspiring, interesting, and very high energy." - Sam, GHO Capital
"I couldn't of asked for the day to plan any better, given it was our first work Conference. Jamie really made an impact on everyone there and we will certainly be keeping contact." - Samuel, Quality Governance Assistant Manager, NHS
"Jamie is an amazing person and performer. On stage and beyond, he is likeable, relatable, engaging and enthralling. His personal journey draws you in and enables him to share valuable lessons. As the (almost) opening act of a 3-day meeting on resilience and ambition in the face of adversity, he certainly energized the room. What was even more fascinating to see is the amount of side conversations he had with our team. My only remark, which I also made to him, is making the lessons, the take aways, more obvious and impactful, with text on slides, because not everyone remembers things the same way. Hearing and seeing work well together to create lasting memories." - Omnicom Media Group
"I just wanted to say a quick thank you for helping us set up Jamie’s talk yesterday. He was absolutely amazing, and we’re already getting a lot of really positive comments on our Slack channel about it." - James, Learning & Development Business Partner, Farsight Consulting
"I just wanted to drop a note to say thank you to Jamie - it was such a great session with him despite his story. Great energy and funny!" - Alison, Taboola
- 2024 - Became the first person with Bilateral CRPS to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
- 2022 - First person with CRPS to climb to Mount Everest basecamp on crutches
- 2021 - Delivered the TEDx Talk "Get Back Up"
- 2020 - President of BNI Celtic
- 2020 - Equality Director of Wales Squash & Racketball Limited
- 2019 - Board Member of Wales Squash & Racketball
- 2019 - Presenter of The Squash Pod
- 2016 - Countries first winner of the Charles Holland Award of the "Against All Odds" category
- 2016 - Brave Briton Award & WAAT4 Greatest Achievement Award
- 2014 - Founder of See No Bounds
- 2014 - Customer Advisor for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
- 2014 - Union Representative for Unison
- 2011 - Sales Executive for Thunderroad Motorcycles
- 2008 - Funeral Director for Petersons Funeral Services
- 2005 - Security Services for G4S
- 2003 - MD of DJ's Pet & Garden Supplies Ltd
- 1998 - Soldier in the British Army
- The first person to climb Pen Y Fan Mountain on his hands
- The first person in a wheelchair to complete the 30k hike across the Brecon Beacons to complete the WAAT4 Challenge
