Jessica Hepburn is a force of nature whose life story challenges what it means to be strong, successful, and fulfilled. After spending a decade as Executive Director of the Lyric Hammersmith, one of London’s leading theatres, Jessica led the venue’s ambitious £20 million capital redevelopment. Yet, behind the scenes, she was navigating one of the most private and painful experiences imaginable - eleven rounds of IVF, multiple miscarriages, and an ectopic pregnancy that almost cost her life. Out of this struggle, Jessica emerged not just as a survivor, but as one of the UK’s most recognised voices on fertility, female identity, and what it means to live a meaningful life when things don’t go to plan.
Choosing to speak publicly about her experience, Jessica published her bestselling debut, ‘The Pursuit of Motherhood’, which became a catalyst for widespread conversation around fertility and childlessness. She went on to found Fertility Fest, the world’s first arts festival dedicated to fertility, infertility, and modern family-making - bringing together artists, scientists and patients in ground-breaking conversations that led to changes in UK fertility education policy. Her campaigning and creative work earned her accolades including the Fertility Foundation’s inaugural Fertility Hero Award, and nominations from Amnesty International and Stylist magazine.
Despite calling herself “the most unlikely athlete”, Jessica has gone on to achieve some of the world’s most formidable physical feats. In 2022, she became the first woman in history to complete the Sea, Street, Summit Challenge - swimming the English Channel, running the London Marathon, and summiting Mount Everest. She is also one of just two women to achieve the iconic ‘Pond to Peak’ challenge. Through these endeavours, Jessica has become a leading voice in the adventure activism movement - harnessing extreme challenges to raise awareness of physical and mental resilience, especially following trauma and loss. Her latest book, ‘Save Me from the Waves’, continues this mission, offering both a deeply personal memoir and a rallying cry for those struggling to stay afloat in life.
Today, Jessica speaks across the world on how to live “big and brave” in the face of disappointment. With her unique combination of candour, humour and depth, she connects with audiences on issues ranging from women’s health and mental wellbeing to leadership and personal reinvention. Whether speaking in boardrooms, book festivals or at schools and universities, Jessica doesn’t just deliver a talk - she delivers a transformation.
