Dame Kelly Holmes

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

Coming from humble beginnings and raised by her mom on a council estate in Kent, Kelly went to 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 follow her first dream of joining the British army. She initially became an HGV driver and then a Physical Training Instructor, before being awarded an MBE for her services in 1998.

Despite her successes in the army, Kelly never let go of her dream of winning Olympic gold, something she had focused on since she was a child. However, this was no easy task, and her running career was initially marred by repeated injuries and disappointments. These physical injuries often led to periods of clinical depression and self-harm, which continued to affect her right up to one year before her double Olympic success. Shortly after this victory, Kelly established the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a charity that provides guidance to disadvantaged young people. The charity uses world-class athletes to engage and empower young people to get their lives on the right track and develop the attitudes they need to live 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 had been appointed Honorary Colonel to a regular unit.

Kelly promotes the same philosophy she lives by: that nothing is impossible. This mantra guides her talks and makes her one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. She has inspired audiences in the UK and around the globe with her enthusiastic speeches, always deeply rooted in her unique achievements that all reflect her belief in the importance of focus, self-belief, drive, and determination. Kelly also specializes in Mental Health with a particular focus on mental well-being in the workplace, drawing on her personal experiences of depression and incorporating her recent Mental Health First Aid training.