Matt King
Set for a career in rugby, everything changed for Matt King at the age of just 17 when he woke up in a hospital bed, paralysed from the neck down. His life changed unrecognisably as he became dependent on a ventilator and unable to survive without the full-time help of careers. Fast-forward to today, Matt is a qualified solicitor, mouth-painter and global marathon runner.
Set for a career in rugby, everything changed for Matt King at the age of just 17 when he woke up in a hospital bed, paralysed from the neck down. His life changed unrecognisably as he became dependent on a ventilator and unable survive without the full-time help of medical support workers. Fast-forward to today, Matt is a qualified solicitor, author, mouth-painter, skier and global marathon runner.
Sharing his inspirational story, Matt’s journey up from rock-bottom to leading an unbelievable life proves that anything is possible.
After Matt’s serious injury his first goal was to just survive. Not knowing how the next hour would go, let alone the next day, week or month, Matt had to break down his journey into manageable chunks to make any of it possible. Learning how to reset his mindset and see the positives in all situations, Matt has been able to climb previously insurmountable boundaries.
Teaching us all that anything can be achieved in life, irrespective of your situation, Matt’s emotive speech leaves his audiences armed with the practical tools to maximise their personal and professional lives.
Matt was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to charity for those with disabilities, and in doing so became the youngest person ever to receive the honour.
Coaching the England Rugby League National team, professional sporting teams, NHS Managerial and Clinical Staff, sector-leading corporations and businesses, universities and schools – Matt uses his experiences to help anybody, of any age, overcome the obstacles in their path.
His emotive speech and boundary-pushing abilities make him an excellent keynote speaker to motivate the corporate circuit.