Rowing gold medalist and Olympic legend, James Cracknell, has earned himself a spot in the nation's heart after he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. Though the Viennese Waltz may not have been James' forte, his likeable nature and perseverance earned him thousands of fans. In 2005, James was appointed OBE for his services to sport. A testament to his commitment and dedication, such traits make James the idea motivational speaker. James has nine gold medals to his name, from 1997 to 2019. As a speaker, he can discuss his journey to sporting success and beyond, focusing on how he achieved mental resilience during periods of pressure.
James rowing career started in 1989 when he raced at the Junior World Championships. In the following year, he came first in the event, earning his first gold medal. Upon graduating in 1993 from the University of Reading, James went on to earn a Master of Science from Brunel University in 1999. James strengthened his sporting ability at university, which later led him to join the senior squad. Specialising in the men's coxless fours alongside Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent and Tim Foster, James won the World Rowing Championships three years in a row, before going for gold at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
Though James later switched disciplines to the coxless pairs, he continued his winning streak, earning gold at the World Championships in 2001. James made a name for himself in the world of sport, which led him to feature on a number of television programmes surrounding rowing. Most notably, Through Hell and High Water, which was later immortalised through the biography, The Crossing: Conquering the Atlantic in the World's Toughest Rowing Race, about the trip. James then embarked on a couple of expeditions. With a taste for adventure, he took part in the Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race, suffering frostbite, exhaustion and pneumonia. James learnt first hand the importance of mental resilience, a topic which he discusses as a mental health speaker.
In 2010, James was involved in a crash with a petrol tanker, which damaged his frontal lobes. Since then, he has suffered both physical and physiological changes that have shaped him as a person. In his presentations, James discusses this experience, stressing the importance of a strong support circle for positive mental health.
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