Darren Edwards is a record-breaking disabled adventurer and motivational speaker. A mountaineer and Army Reservist, Darren’s life changed in 2016 when he was involved in a near-fatal climbing accident which left him paralysed from the chest down, and with his dreams of climbing Mount Everest and serving with the Special Forces Reserve in tatters.
Refusing to let the word ‘disability’ define who he is as a person, and committed to helping challenge the perception of what those with a disability can achieve, Darren has gone on to lead a series of record-breaking expeditions, including ‘Kayak 4 Heroes’, which saw him lead a team of five injured/wounded veterans in kayaking 1,400 kilometres from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’ Groats in Scotland.
In 2023, he aims to become the first disabled person to complete a marathon in Antarctica and to run seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents – known as the World Marathon Challenge.
Darren’s personal story of overcoming adversity and building mental toughness is guaranteed to motivate, encourage change and inspire. Instilled with humour, down-to-earth honesty and a genuine sense for adventure and pushing the limits of his disability, Darren cares deeply about connecting with his audience and getting them to think – and act – differently. Darren’s talks are an infectiously positive call to action that nothing is achieved without a resilient mindset.