Harriet Lee

Diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome – a condition from birth that left her with the left side of her body is shorter than her right – Harriet was always a keen swimmer. This immensely talented motivational speaker made her Team GB debut in 2010 when she swam at the World Swimming Championships in Holland, winning a gold medal in the 100m Breaststroke SB9 and a silver medal in the women's 4 x 100m individual medley 34-point relay.

Two years later and Harriet won gold at the British Swimming Championships in London and again in the 100m Breaststroke SB9 competition. That same year, Harriet went on to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games where she achieved a new European record in the 100m Breaststroke SB9 and won a bronze medal.

Just 16 weeks earlier, Harriet had been hospitalised in intensive care. Showing superhuman grit and determination to overcome adversity and reach for the top, she recovered to compete at the highest level. Her inspiring story is perfect for motivational speeches at a wide range of events to audiences of many different types.