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Keynote SpeakerEd Jackson

Speaker, Mentor, Ex Pro Rugby turned Adaptive Adventurer, Co-Founder: Vapoura Rum; Millimetres 2 Mountains

Ed Jackson is a former professional rugby player who competed at the highest level for over a decade. After a life-changing accident left him paralysed from the neck down, Ed has since inspired countless people by quite literally climbing mountains, proving that no challenge is insurmountable with determination, resilience, and... Read more

Watch Ed Jackson in action

Popular Talks by Ed Jackson

  • Millimetres to Mountains

    Ed’s Journey from professional athlete to overcoming paralysis and climbing mountains

  • The Discomfort Zone

    Building resilience through embracing discomfort and challenges

  • The Bright Side

    Developing a positive mindset to overcome adversity

More talks

  • Blind Summits: Focusing on the next step in the face of uncertainty
  • Embracing & Overcoming Adversity
  • Positive Mindset Through Reframing
  • Maximising Potential In Limited Circumstances
  • Increased productivity through goal setting and habit formations
  • Managing Fear

Biography

Ed Jackson is a former professional rugby player who competed at the highest level for over a decade. After a life-changing accident left him paralysed from the neck down, Ed has since inspired countless people by quite literally climbing mountains, proving that no challenge is insurmountable with determination, resilience, and an unbreakable spirit.

In April 2017, Ed’s life was profoundly altered when a dive into the shallow end of a swimming pool resulted in a catastrophic spinal cord injury, leaving him paralysed from the neck down. Doctors told him he would never walk again. But through exceptional grit, relentless rehabilitation, and a refusal to give up, Ed defied the odds and reached the summit of a mountain within a year of his accident. His story continues to demonstrate how even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome with resilience, courage, and a focused mindset.

In August 2021, Ed’s resilience and optimism were celebrated with the release of his debut book, Lucky, which became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller. In Lucky, Ed shares his powerful story of triumph over adversity—a testament to hope, perseverance, and finding strength in the face of overwhelming challenges. The book’s impact was so profound that it was adapted into a Universal Pictures film, The ‘Mountain Within Me’, released globally in August 2024. The movie has been hailed as “an inspiring, thought-provoking documentary about unexpected change, hope, and discovering renewed purpose in life.”

In recent years, Ed has become a respected voice in broadcasting, especially as a lead host for Channel 4’s Paralympic Games coverage to which he presented at Tokyo 2020 and more recently, the 2024 games in Paris. When not tackling physical challenges, he’s regularly seen presenting and commentating on Channel 4, bringing a unique and motivational voice to sports media. Ed has become an integral member of Channel 4’s Paralympics hosting team, bringing his insights on resilience, peak performance, and triumph over adversity to audiences worldwide.

After listening to Ed talk you will be inspired to push through adversity, embrace a more positive mindset and be introduced to the importance of persevering through obstacles with resilience and courage.

Ready to invite Ed Jackson to your event?

Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.

What clients say about Ed Jackson

"Made a tangible impact on my staff who were hugely complimentary about Ed's inspirational talk. Highly recommend for any team going through a period of change or transformation." Gareth Nokes, Chief Financial Officer, Aspen
"Very inspiring talk from Ed Jackson at Microsoft yesterday. Incredible story, amazing what can be achieved with the right mind set and determination. Highly recommend." Iwan Evans, Director Customer Programs, Microsoft
"Ed truly has an amazing story to tell and his presentation style is confident yet humble which made for a great keynote talk that was enthused over by all attendees." Natasha Preocanin, Associate Director, In-house Recruitment Network
“Ed ran two sessions over Zoom for around 165 colleagues at Diageo. With resilience as the key theme, Ed ran us through his inspiring story and provided the teams with a really clear summary of relatable and relevant advice. The feedback has been fantastic, with team members coming away inspired, more hopeful and significantly more positive about how we can reframe the challenges we’re facing at the moment and come out stronger." Sally Cannon, Head of Field Sales, Diageo

How to book Ed Jackson as a keynote speaker

How do I book Ed Jackson for a keynote speech?

You can book Ed Jackson through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Ed's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Ed Jackson's speaking fees?

Ed Jackson's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Ed tailored to your event.

What topics does Ed Jackson speak about?

Ed Jackson speaks on Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Motivation, Performance. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Ed to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Ed Jackson available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Ed Jackson for events worldwide, subject to Ed's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Ed Jackson deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Ed Jackson is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Ed Jackson?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Ed can accommodate.

Can Ed Jackson tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Ed Jackson on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Ed can offer.

What languages does Ed Jackson present in?

Ed Jackson delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Ed Jackson a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Ed Jackson's areas of expertise include Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Motivation, Performance. To get a clear sense of Ed's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Ed Jackson speak at?

Ed Jackson can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Leadership, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Motivation, Performance is relevant. Details of Ed's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Ed Jackson offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Ed Jackson is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Ed Jackson?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Ed Jackson, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Ed's current availability for your dates.