Stef Reid MBE
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GB Paralympic sprinter and long jump World Record holder
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Graduated with an honours degree in biochemistry
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A boating accident, age 15, resulted in the amputation of her right foot
Stef Reid is a British Paralympic sprinter and long jump World Record holder who competed for Great Britain. She is a five-time world record holder, world champion (London 2017 long jump), and triple Paralympic medallist in the long jump (2016, 2012) and 200m sprint (2008).
She has an honours degree in biochemistry, and away from the track Stef works as a keynote speaker, broadcaster, executive coach, actor, and fashion model. Stef competed in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics and took part in the British reality show Dancing on Ice 2022, making it to the quarter finals and showing the world, you can learn to skate with an artificial foot!
Born in New Zealand to a Scottish father and an English mother, Stef Reid grew up in Toronto, Canada. She then moved to Dallas, Texas with her Canadian husband before settling back in the UK in 2010.
Stef’s talent and passion for sport were spotted early, and at 12 she was already dreaming of playing rugby on the world stage. However, age 15, she was involved in a boating accident, suffering severe propeller lacerations. Her life was saved by a surgeon in Toronto who managed to stem the blood flow, however, as a consequence her right foot had to be amputated.
Sports-loving before the accident, Stef played rugby union but encountered difficulties after her amputation with referees who felt the artificial leg could injure other players. So her focus shifted from sports to her academic studies, and she graduated as valedictorian earning a full scholarship to Queen’s University in Canada to study biochemistry.
While at Queen’s, Stef joined the university athletics team “just to see how fast she could still run”. After joining the campus track and field team, three years later she competed at the BT Paralympic World Cup in 2008. Upon graduation, she decided to put her plans of medical school aside and focus on her childhood dream of being a professional athlete.
With the option to compete for three countries - based on her place of birth, the nationality of her parents and her place of residence - Stef formerly represented Canada in the Beijing Paralympic Games, finishing third in the 200m and fifth in the long jump.
Stef took the decision to compete for Great Britain soon after the Paralympics in 2008, deciding to follow the nationality of her parents. It wasn't an easy choice but one that has been vindicated with some impressive results.
She spent a year out of competition in 2009 in order to complete her switch and fully embraced British life, training at Loughborough University.
Away from the track, Stef made her modelling debut fronting Debenhams’ Diversity Campaign, modelling clothes with the aim to challenge perceived norms of the fashion industry.
In 2013, Stef worked with inclusivity campaigner Caryn Franklin MBE and was subsequently invited to join the illustrious ‘Models of Diversity' group, with whom she modelled clothing at the ‘Time for Change' catwalk, as well as at the Ideal Christmas Home Show.
Her standing in the industry has seen her invited to speak to students at London College of Fashion to talk about her experiences as a sportswoman and a model.
In the 2018 New Year’s Honours, Stef was awarded an MBE for services to Paralympic Sport.
After a glittering 18 year Paralympic career, Stef announced her retirement from elite sport in June 2022 and is enjoying her new adventure!
Stef Reid is an established and sought-after international motivational speaker with a portfolio that includes corporate keynote speeches, event hosting, guest lecturing, and consulting with the Vatican.
She inspires and challenges audiences through her message that excellence is possible for everyone and can speak about a diverse range of topics including Harnessing the Power of Diversity and Inclusion, The Pursuit of Excellence, Resilience, Adaptive Mindsets, Motivation, Dealing With Failure, Well-being and Human Performance in Business.
Stef has been invited to numerous events for the likes of McLaren, Bloomberg, Sky, BT, VISA, Wunderman, BP and Sigma Aldrich. She‘s extremely comfortable in front of any size audience, with a fascinating story to tell of her career and experiences.
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Stef Reid has worked with BP on numerous occasions, bringing a magic and passion to our internal and external audiences alike. Most recently she delivered a powerful keynote speech at the Future Leaders event, which brought together many of BP’s highest potential individuals from around the world.
Stef possesses an extraordinary ability to engage every person in the room, sharing her perspectives in a way that is at once engaging, energising and thought-provoking. Stef has a natural speaking talent and an ability to make us all think again about what is possible in life.
Listening to Paralympian and model Stef Reid describing how she had successfully adapted to becoming disabled was inspirational.
Stef eloquently articulated the problems of striving to conform to the narrow stereotype of ‘normal’ and encouraged the audience to challenge the current paradigm. She emphasised the need to celebrate difference rather than view it as a reason for exclusion.
I had the honour of watching Stef in the Olympic stadium in 2012 not knowing that a year later I’d be asking her to speak at the PSA MEGA Convention in Manchester. Her story had everyone on the edge of their seats, laughing out loud and in the next moment reaching for their tissues.
Stef is a true champion who is not only an inspiration on the track but also on the stage. She brought the house down and I’d pay to watch time after time. A joy to work with and an honour to know her.
Stef Reid’s keynote was so moving and inspiring! We went from tears to laughter and in the end, what we remember is: thanks to the adaptive mindset, whatever the circumstances, you can achieve what you want. We feel much more empowered now, harnessing the power of the adaptive mindset in our daily personal and professional lives!
I saw Stef Reid speak last year at our London Plant event and she moved me just as much this time as she did last year. The feedback I’ve been given is equally only positive. Audience members were inspired by your talk. They found you humble, human and engaging. You hit the notes that we had talked in advance and you were the highlight of the event!
I first heard Stef’s story on the High Performance Podcast. I was listening with my children in the back of the car and I noticed how quiet the car had become as they listened transfixed to her story. That doesn’t happen very often. So we decided to invite Stef to our annual conference to share her story with all of our leadership team. She had the same affect – you could have heard a pin drop as Stef told her story and the impact of her messages sunk in for our leaders. Stef has a unique stage presence of warmth, humility, kindness, and humour mixed with a steely determination. She got fantastic feedback from our Top 500 leaders who all took away key messages around resilience and perspective and never giving up no matter what the challenge ahead. I’d highly recommend
How to book Stef Reid MBE for your event
To book Stef Reid MBE, please submit an online enquiry to booking.agent@nmp.co.uk or contact one of our booking agents on +44 (0)20 3822 0003.
Multi-Olympic gold, Commonwealth and European champion
One of Britain's best-known Paralympic athletes - winner of 14 medals
Gold medallist paralympic sprint runner at London 2012 and Rio 2016
Paralympic gold medalist and World Champion athlete
World Champion hurdler for Great Britain
