Aaron Phipps
Aaron Phipps is a Gold Medal winning Paralympic Champion. He is in the Top 100 most influential people in the UK with a disability. His messages of perseverance and determination, energy and endurance moves everyone who hears it.
Aaron Phipps's videos
What Aaron Phipps's clients say
Available for
Languages:
- English
Aaron Phipps's 2024 biography
Aaron Phipps’ Teenage Life
Aaron Phipps grew up to enjoy rollerblading, skateboarding, BMX riding and basketball, he had a normal childhood. That was until he was 15.
On 7th January 1999, he woke up with flu-like symptoms. They seemed harmless but 12 hours later he was on a life support machine. He had contracted Meningitis C which quickly got worse and he developed blood poisoning, called Meningococcal sepsis.
Doctors, along with his parents, decided to place Aaron into an induced coma that lasted for two weeks. It became clear that he had to have both legs amputated from the knee down, along with most of his fingers.
In total, he spent a year in hospital recovering and receiving treatment.
Gold Medal winning Paralympic Champion
In 2021, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Aaron and his teammates won the first ever Gold Medal for Paralympics GB in a team sport event; however, the journey began a long time before this.
Aaron made his Paralympics debut in the famous London 2012 games, where GB Wheelchair Rugby finished in fifth place. He then took some time away from the sport to focus on his family; after which he was asked to trial for the squad leading up to Tokyo 2020.
He was selected for the squad and played an integral part in bringing home the Gold.
First disabled person to scale Mount Kilimanjaro unassisted
In 2013, Aaron was approached by fundraisers at the Meningitis Research Foundation, saying that several fundraisers were going to do the climb and asked if he wanted to take part.
His reaction? “Let’s do this!”
After 3 years of hard training, wheelchair customisation, and a trial climb of Mt. Blanc, the climb began in May 2016. After the first stage of the climb, it became more apparent he wasn’t going to be able to use his chair very much.
It was suggested that he was soon going to need assistance but he made it clear that he wanted to go as far as he can without any help.
After four hard days of crawling almost entirely on his hands and knees, he made the 6000 metre climb to the top, to become the first disabled person to scale Mount Kilimanjaro unassisted.
Honours List
- Top 100 most influential people with a disability in the UK
- First European team to win a medal in wheelchair rugby
- The first person to scale Mount Kilimanjaro on their hands and knees
- Wheelchair Rugby European Champion
- London Marathon wheelchair race 4th place UK male
- Just giving award finalist
- Raised over £250,000 for charity
- JCI UK Finalist
- National Lottery Paralympians of the Year 2021
Articles and podcasts
Aaron Phipps's 2024 talks & topics
Blood, Sweat and Wheelchairs
Aaron contracted Meningitis aged 15. He was rushed into hospital and placed on life support with a 20% chance of survival. His legs and fingers had to be amputated due to septicaemia and he spent a year in hospital
Key Takeaways
- How to re-envision your future when your circumstances change
- How to handle and recover from major setbacks
- How to manage your mindset every day to stay focussed and positive
- Perspective on life and our personal vulnerabilities
On a Gold Rush
Learn how Aaron’s wheelchair Rugby team went from 5th in the world to winning a Paralympic Gold medal, in the middle of a global pandemic.
Key Takeaways
- Sports Psychology, going from one of life’s ‘worriers’ to being calm and composed under pressure
- Developing a Pre-Game process to cope in stressful situations
- Managing yourself in a high-pressure environment
- How to strive to be better each day
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Aaron took on a charity challenge in 2016. To become the first wheelchair user to scale Kilimanjaro unaided. When his wheelchair couldn’t cope, he was told that he would have to be carried. He refused and crawled on his hands and knees for four days to reach the summit.
Key takeaways
- An inspirational tale of resilience and determination
- How to not give up even in the face of adversity
Aaron Phipps's 2024 speaking fees
- United Kingdom
Specific fees fall within the ranges shown. These are presented as a guide only and are subject to change without notice.
To get an exact quote for your event, click the button below.