Richard Davies is a 14-year Royal Air Force veteran, Invictus Games champion, and world record-holding para-athlete whose journey of resilience has inspired audiences across the UK and beyond. As a keynote speaker, Richard delivers impactful talks on overcoming adversity, mental health, performance mindset, and the power of self-belief. His story of loss, determination, and ultimately triumph is one that resonates with audiences from corporate leadership teams to clinical professionals.
Richard began his career in the Royal Air Force in 2009 as a Ground Support Engineer and progressed to the rank of Corporal. In 2019, while stationed in Cyprus during a routine cargo operation, he suffered a life-changing injury when a trailer struck his heel. After enduring multiple surgeries and infections over two years, Richard made the courageous decision in 2021 to undergo a below-knee amputation. He began his rehabilitation at Stanford Hall, learning to walk again with a custom prosthetic and slowly rebuilding both his mobility and confidence.
In 2023, Richard was selected from hundreds of applicants to compete at the Invictus Games, where he won four gold medals in swimming and competed impressively in archery and rowing. Building on this success, he joined the GB Para Archery Academy and began training in para snowboarding, earning recognition as a world record holder after completing Half Bhutan’s notorious Snowman Trek as part of the fastest amputee team in history. In 2025, he is co-authoring the Start Over book series with Sir Marco Robinson, contributing his journey to a powerful collection of stories on resilience and reinvention.
As a speaker, Richard brings authenticity, humour, and insight to every stage. He has delivered keynotes at Irwin Mitchell’s National Amputation & Prosthetics Convention and shared panels at Therapy Expo alongside industry experts. His lived experience of turning trauma into strength makes him an unforgettable voice in conversations about adversity, mindset, and human potential. Whether addressing business leaders, healthcare professionals, or aspiring athletes, Richard’s message leaves a lasting impact and a renewed belief in what’s possible.
