MY STORY
 My story is about the triumph of the human spirit over huge adversity ...
"When faced with adversity there are two roads that you can travel.
Turn in on yourself and hope it will pass or fight for everything you are and believe in. I decided to fight and as a result I am winning."
At this point in my life I would consider myself to be one of life’s true survivors. Due to a genetic mutation which ripped through my (maternal) family, I was given an 85% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and a 60% risk of developing ovarian cancer. I therefore faced the most difficult of choices: Radical preventative surgery to have healthy parts of my body removed or face an almost certain untimely death. With a young son Josh to think about, I chose the former and had my breasts, ovaries and womb removed. With the constant threat of the potential killer removed I have gone on to undertake many more challenges.
My story has been followed by the media for seven years as it travels down many different paths. During this time I have worked closely with Cancer Research UK raising both awareness and money, speaking at many of their events some of which have included "black-tie" dinners and even a press conference in London. Throughout this time I have appeared on local and national television and regularly feature on BBC Radio Leeds.
I was extremely proud to be Cancer Research UK's Race for Life Ambassador in 2002 and 2003 which resulted in me starting one of the races with my inspiration that was Jane Tomlinson who kindly mentioned me in her first book "The Luxury of Time".
Having the operations changed the way I lived my life along with my priorities and my perspective on it and I have since gone on to undertake numerous 10k races, 7 half-marathons and the London Marathon in 2008. In November 2008 I was awarded the title of “Yorkshire’s Healthiest Lifestyle Hero” by a Yorkshire Health Product Distributor. In October 2009 I took part in my first body building competition making me a true "athlete" and proving that neither age nor a deadly mutation are a match for an indomitable spirit and true Yorkshire grit!
My career to date has been diverse and varied. As a Co-Director of my family’s business in the leisure industry — owning a 9-hole golf course, bar and 5-a-side football pitches — to that of PA — from accountants and solicitors to the Church of England, I bring with me a wealth of business and life experience!
INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKING
Turning a negative experience into something positive is what I believe can be paid forward.
Having encountered adversity throughout my life and come out the other side, I want to use that experience to inspire others through their life journeys. Together lets open our eyes and hearts to the bigger picture that is life, and the ways in which we react to it.
Sharing my story through corporate, business-related and well-being events, whether internal or external, I am able to inspire and motivate people into looking at their own lives perhaps in an altogether different light and acting upon that.
 At times we can all find ourselves "going through the motions", feeling overwhelmed, treading water and not really getting anywhere or achieving anything. Life takes over and quite often, we don’t have the time to stand back and evaluate or question what is important to us or what we want to achieve.
Make the time. Let me take you on my journey and benefit from my experience. You may not have the same story as me, but you will identify with the feelings, emotions and thoughts that I went through.
A new perspective and outlook on life is a great motivational tool that helps others to benefit from and achieve their own aspirations whatever they may be. My ultimate aim is to inspire and motivate my audience and leave them with the belief that no matter how bad things are, or how bad they may become, there are always choices and there is always hope.
Speaking from the heart and authentically makes my journey "human" and therefore easy for my audience to relate to and therefore benefit from. I want to make a difference in your life by helping you to think and approach things differently. "How To Be Fabulous" will enable you to tackle the obstacles that are holding you back and give you the courage to make difficult decisions that will improve your life. It will encourage you to believe that anything is possible, and to use my experience to help you overcome fear and self doubt.
I want people to leave my talks and workshops feeling inspired, empowered and energised.
As an inspirational keynote speaker allow me to share with you "How To Be Fabulous"! Use my contact form to get in touch with me. |
