Karen Darke MBE
Adventurer, Paralympic Gold Medallist, Author, High Performance and Transformation specialist
Karen has the philosophy that to have the most impact in life we should challenge our constraints, adopt a positive mind-set and support each other to be the best we can be.
Somewhat an expert in overcoming challenges, Karen finds much of her inspiration through outdoor adventure. She was a keen runner and mountaineer before becoming paralysed in a rock-climbing accident but has since pursued alternative ways to access the outdoors – canoeing, sit-skiing and hand-cycling. She has hand-cycled in various corners of the world, including Central Asia and the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the length of the Japanese archipelago. Karen has co-organised expeditions sea kayaking along the coastlines of British Columbia and Alaska, skiing across the Greenland icecap, climbing the kilometre-high vertical rock-face of El Capitan, and kayaking through the fjords of Patagonia. She has cycled 1,240km through the Patagonian wilderness and across Himalayan terrain; Karen is an adventurer through and through.
Alongside her multiple adventures and challenges Karen also won a silver medal in the London 2012 Paralympics, she was World Paratriathlon Champion in 2012, a silver medallist in 2013 and Paralympic Gold medallist in Rio 2016.
As a coach and facilitator, author and speaker, Karen works regularly with young people, schools, businesses and other organisations particularly about challenge and change. Karen draws upon her own experiences alongside her academic studies on high performance coaching, motivation and clinical and pastoral counselling to share her expertise and unique insight into transformation.
Karen is one of the most inspiring athletes’ you are ever likely to meet, always reminding us of what is possible rather than what is not. As Sir Ranulph Fiennes (polar explorer) summarises: ‘Karen’s captivating story shines a bright light on the meaning of challenge, and on the limitless capabilities of the human spirit.’ Karen herself explains: “What is life if it isn’t an adventure? I’m constantly amazed by what can be achieved if we set our heart and mind to it. It’s all about finding belief, confidence, motivation and commitment. There are no limits.”
“Karen was without a doubt, the highlight of the day” – Microsoft
“Karen spoke beautifully and from the heart, making it a personal, relevant and often, humbling talk. Her talk was pitched perfectly, and the girls have been talking about her since the evening.” – Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls
“Your narrative is so powerful and your delivery very slick but authentic and relaxed.” – Emerge UK
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