Aaron Phipps MBE

Three-time Paralympian. Gold medal-winning wheelchair rugby champion. A man who once climbed Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees rather than accept defeat.

Aaron's story begins at 15, when meningitis-induced blood poisoning cost him both legs and most of his fingers. Rather than let it define him, Aaron turned it into a starting point. A 10km fundraising wheelchair race for the Meningitis Research Foundation lit the spark, and from there his sporting career took off. He competed in two London Marathons, clocking a fourth-place finish in 2009 in under two hours, before switching codes to join the GB Wheelchair Rugby squad. By 2012 he was on the court at his home Paralympics in London, single-handedly responsible for over half his team's points.

In 2016, Aaron set his sights on Mount Kilimanjaro, aiming to raise money for both the Meningitis Research Foundation and the Shaw Trust. When his specially adapted off-road wheelchair couldn't handle the terrain, he made the decision that would define his legend: he refused to be carried. Four days later, having hauled himself up the mountain on his hands and knees, Aaron became the first amputee ever to reach the summit unassisted. The achievement made national headlines and was later told in a Channel 5 documentary.

Back on the court from 2017, Aaron helped lead a remarkable turnaround: a GB Wheelchair Rugby team ranked fifth in the world transformed, mid-pandemic, into world champions – the first European side ever to medal in the sport, and Paralympics GB's first-ever team gold. He went on to compete at Paris 2024, finally realising a long-held dream of having his family in the stands to watch him play.

Aaron has been named one of the UK's 100 most influential disabled people, and today shares his story of resilience, defiance, and redefining what's possible on stages across the country.

Through talks and workshops at conferences and events, Aaron has inspired thousands of people in FTSE100 companies and SME associations. His experience of overcoming challenges and achieving goals can be applied to everyday work and life. He tells his inspirational stories with honesty and humour. Audiences rave about his presentations, and leave inspired to achieve more.

SPEECH OPTIONS
Blood, Sweat & Wheelchairs
• From becoming an amputee aged 15 to the all-elusive Gold Medal
• Duration: 20-50 mins
• Suitable for all members of staff
• Most suited to conference open or close

The Hollywood style keynote. It's an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Be prepared to laugh, to cry and be moved.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough
• Attempting to be the first person to climb Kilimanjaro unaided in a wheelchair
• Duration: 10-20 mins (stand-alone or alongside Blood, Sweat & Wheelchairs)
• Suitable for all members of staff

After two days trekking it was clear the wheelchair couldn't cope, Aaron refused to be carried and crawled for 4 days on his hands and knees to reach the summit.

Path to Gold
• Delivered alongside Aaron's performance coach, Jon Cooper
• Duration: 20-50 mins (Keynote) or 2 hours – Half day (Workshop)
• Suitable for senior management / specific teams

The journey to achieving that defied expectations. Sharing the secrets of an elite partnership in the build up to an unprecedented Paralympic gold medal.

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