Dame Kelly Holmes

One of the UK's most celebrated athletes, Dame Kelly Holmes, has become a role model and inspiration globally. This double Olympic, Commonwealth, and European champion set and still holds the British records in the 800m and 1000m. Throughout her extraordinary career, she has achieved seven Gold, eight Silver, and four Bronze medals, and has been awarded BBC Sports Personality of the Year, European Athlete of the Year, and was honored with a Damehood from the Queen.

Coming from modest beginnings and raised by her mother on a council estate in Kent, Kelly attended a local secondary school where, encouraged by her PE teacher, she pursued her talent and passion for running. Her family drove her to races across the country, instilling in her the importance of having a supportive team by her side.

Kelly temporarily left professional running at 18 to pursue her initial dream of joining the British army. She started as an HGV driver and then became a Physical Training Instructor, earning an MBE for her services in 1998.

Despite her successes in the army, Kelly still dreamed of winning Olympic gold, a goal she had since childhood. However, achieving this was challenging, with her running career initially marred by repeated injuries and disappointments. These physical setbacks often led to periods of clinical depression and self-harm, affecting her up until a year before her double Olympic triumph. Shortly after this victory, Kelly established the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a charity that provides guidance to disadvantaged young people. The charity utilizes world-class athletes to engage and empower young individuals to set their lives on the right path and develop the attitudes needed for a positive and fulfilling life.

In 2018, Kelly marked her return to the British army by being appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps, an accolade approved by Her Majesty the Queen. This was the first time an individual was appointed Honorary Colonel to a regular unit.

Kelly promotes the philosophy she lives by: nothing is impossible. This mantra underpins her talks, making her one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. She has inspired audiences in the UK and around the world with her energetic speeches, deeply rooted in her unique accomplishments and reflecting her belief in the importance of focus, self-belief, drive, and determination. Kelly also specializes in Mental Health, with a particular focus on mental wellbeing in the workplace, drawing on her personal experiences of depression and her recent Mental Health First Aid training.