Jamie McAnsh Speaker | Primary & Sports & Lifestyle & New Speakers & Assemblies and Celebrations Events & Well-being & Disability & Mental Health & Adventure & Conference & Happiness

Jamie McAnsh

From Paralysis to the Peaks – Inspiring Students to Rise Above Any Challenge

Jamie McAnsh – Motivational Speaker, Adventurer, Inclusion Advocate.

Jamie McAnsh’s story is one that captures the imagination and inspires action. In 2014, Jamie woke up to find he was paralysed from the waist down due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Faced with a life-changing diagnosis, he chose not to be defined by his limitations but to rewrite the rules on what was possible.

Since that moment, Jamie has represented Wales in wheelchair rugby, competed at Masters-level squash, hand-cycled 100 miles in just 13 hours, and achieved world-firsts, including becoming the first person with CRPS to reach Everest Base Camp on crutches. In 2024, he made history again, becoming the first person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on Carbon KAFOs (knee-ankle-foot orthotics) – a feat that pushed the boundaries of human endurance.

In 2025, Jamie’s impact as a speaker was recognised when he was voted No. 9 in the Top 15 Motivational Speakers in the UK, placing him alongside some of the most respected names in the industry. His talks are a powerful mix of real-life adventure, resilience, mental health awareness, and the importance of inclusion and neurodiversity. Jamie’s message resonates with students of all ages, encouraging them to believe that setbacks can be stepping stones and that perseverance, adaptability, and a positive mindset can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Jamie has worked with schools, colleges, and youth organisations across the UK, as well as global brands and corporate audiences. His presentations are interactive, engaging, and tailored to inspire young people to set ambitious goals, embrace diversity, and develop the resilience to get back up when life knocks them down.

Whether he’s speaking to a packed school hall or a small workshop group, Jamie connects with students on a personal level, blending humour, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom. His story is not just about climbing mountains – it’s about showing every young person that they, too, can rise above obstacles and reach their own summits.

Testimonials from Teachers

"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

"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."

– Eric Marcel, Omnicom Media Group

"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