March 5, 2023 • 40 mins
Today we hear from Claire Lomas, an extraordinary individual who has shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity.
Claire did not let a tragic accident, that left her paralysed from the chest down, define her, but instead helped to redefine her.
Through her journey, we learn about how Claire approaches life with a new energy and mindset. She shares the power of shifting your perspective and finding a new purpose in life. Claire also shares her daily habits and mechanisms for coping and thriving in the presence of physical and emotional challenges.
She has inspired others globally with her endurance challenges, including completing the London Marathon in a pioneering bodysuit, which took 17 days to complete and raised an astonishing £220k for charity. Her incredible charity work and inspirational achievements have been recognised with an MBE.
Tune in to this inspiring episode to learn how to develop resilience, find purpose in adversity, and approach life with a positive mindset.
Summary
Claire’s life after the accident and how it’s affected her.
2:09
On a cross-country course, my horse clipped a tree and I knew I was paralysed.
7:45
The impact of the accident on her self-esteem.
10:11
How did the London Marathon come about?
16:23
What did the walk teach you about yourself?
19:16
Tough times don’t have to define you, but they can redefine you.
25:07
What was the process like to not be attached to an identity and go in a different direction?
27:15
It’s all about stickability and dedication.
33:26
What’s next for Claire?
You can Support Claire HERE
We are so proud to have teamed up with 20:40, an opportunity community for decision-makers to develop the type of network, that tribe of like-minded legends going through the same challenges, in order to accelerate your business or career, whilst contributing to others' success too.
Find out more and apply HERE
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Claire Lomas (00:04):
When I hit the ground I knew I was paralysed. I
know all those goals and dreamsand ambitions I've got for the
future just come to a grindinghalt it's very easy to say no
when you're feeling sorry foryourself sad and all the
emotions that I went through.
It'd be very easy to stay in thesame for was thinking why me and
dwelling on all the things I'velost
Unknown (00:35):
and I just went with the mindset. Every step will get
me a step closer to the finish.
It took me 17 days but I was outthere all day making my way to
the finish line. And the supportthat I got when I was out there
still makes me feel emotionalnow because it's just surreal.
Scott Radford (01:00):
Welcome, I'm Scott Radford versus the
performance hackers and today'sguest Claire lo mas MBE went
from being a competitive athleteas a horse rider to being
paralysed from the chest downafter an accident on her horse
during competition. In thatmoment, her life changed
forever. But instead of lettinga disability define her, she
actually used it to powerfullyredefine her life, showing the
(01:21):
strength and determination andcourage to rebuild her life.
Claire has completed multipleendurance races in both
pioneering robotic suits andhand cycles, learn to ride
motorbikes and fly planesprobably better than me, and was
awarded an MBE for raising fundsand awareness to spinal cord
charities. Her energy andmindset is truly inspiring. This
(01:42):
is really the reason why I dothis podcast, so I can't wait to
share it with you. Withoutfurther ado, Claire lo mas MBE.
Unknown (01:57):
Claire, thank you so much for being on the show
today. Really appreciate it.
That's alright, no problem.
You've been someone who'sdemonstrated over your life and
over your story from what I'veread is someone who loves
pushing the boundaries. I'm justkind of curious, was that
present in your childhood?
Yeah, I mean, I had a lifechanging accident. And I
remember one of the things thatI thought very early on is how
(02:19):
was I ever going to replace thesport that I loved so much, and
push me out of my comfort zone?
Most weekends I'd be competing.
So yeah, I think it came from,from early on. However, I wasn't
the bravest child. It's reallybeen a process of learning and
(02:39):
taking time to develop myself myconfidence to be able to do the
things that I do, all the waythrough my life.
And we'll definitely get on tothat. Because you you said there
before you became a quite anaccomplished rider early on, and
you were saying that youcompeted at Burghley Horse
Trials, which is I guess, thepinnacle for Escot Aryans and
horse riders. I'm quite curiousif I'd have met a young Claire,
(03:00):
what would she have said heraspirations were
without a doubt it was to get toBernie Horse Trials. I went to
school in Stamford inLincolnshire, and there's the
back of where I went to school.
So it was my childhood dream andI rode ponies. Well, as soon as
I was on my feet walk and I wason ponies, and eventually got
into the sport of eventing andvery early I was out there
competing probably from about1312 or 13, lower level and, and
(03:22):
to actually get there and beriding there felt like all my
dreams are coming true. It hadbeen my goal for for many years
alongside being a chiropractor,I've been to university and got
my degree. So you know, had mysport and my business that I'd
set up before had that lifechanging accident.
(03:44):
There's a quote by James Allenthat I absolutely love. It says
adversity does not buildcharacter, it reveals it. I'm
kind of curious to understandwhether some main influences in
your life growing up that sortof informed who you are and how
you're able to display thatcharacter to rebuild your life
again after the accident.
Yeah, I think parents are mybiggest role models. They taught
(04:08):
me a lot still. And then I wastaught by Lucinda Greene, who's
a top event rider. And I left mylessons with her. And the thing
like even now, she's a big partof my life. He doesn't teach me
don't ride now. But I still havea voice in my head when I'm
doing some of the challengesthat I've taken on since and she
was very black and white withhow she taught and it's pretty
(04:31):
straightforward. And if anyoneknown in her lessons was did
them in or having a moment wherethey're not believing in
themselves. You say just get onwith it. And I still hear now so
on some of the things I do andI'm thinking am I capable and
you know negative thoughts creepin, I hear LISTEN to His voice.
So that sort of direct matter offact approach kind of appeal to
(04:52):
you.
Absolutely. And just as you keepdoing a little bit more and
edging out your comfort zone.
It's wider and bigger so you cantell Come on. So you build your
confidence from actually doingthings. So, you know, I didn't
just get to Burnley, I did yearsof hard work to train to get to
that level, to each level wasout my comfort zone and pushing
my boundaries. And suddenly Ifound myself at the highest of
(05:13):
levels. And no, it was reallyexciting to get there. But so
was all the milestones on theway.
What was your vision afterBernie? Because Bernie is the
pinnacle? What was your visionafter that going forward?
Yeah, I mean, it's a hard spot.
It depends what horses you'vegot, what owners I had, and no,
I had some great ones at thetime. They're all homebred
(05:34):
horses, and I produce them fromyoung ones. So it is hard to say
what the future had in storebecause I don't know, you know,
the horses I had. Two of themwould have been good enough that
level, possibly others, butthey've got to stay. Well, you
know, when it's like when you'redoing a sport at the top level,
you've got injury risks when youevent and you've got to review
(05:56):
the horse on yourself. So whoknows, but my goals would have
been to go on from there competeagain at Burleigh and badminton,
the other Horse Trials at thatlevel, I'd love to have made a
team but you know, I don't knowif that would have been possible
or not. And I never will know.
But it's certainly put me oninto new directions.
You mentioned about having tohave you obviously the horse and
(06:17):
yourself as an athlete. That'squite a curious one, isn't it?
Because normally, when you're aprofessional athlete, you're
kind of responsible unlessyou're in a team, you're
responsible for your ownperformance. And the people at
the top are those that have justgot there themselves almost, or
they've been lucky enough to bein a team. Whereas you're almost
relying a little bit on having adecent horse at the time as
(06:38):
well. Is that right?
Yeah, it isn't, it's actually avery special sport. I don't
think I'll ever find one quitelike it. Because you are you're
working like with an animal whocan do its own thing doesn't
have a break that you can pressand, you know, it can do what
they want to do on what theydon't want to do. But the
partnership you get when you getto that level, the trust they
(07:00):
have in you. There's nothinglike it. It was amazing. And,
and the bond and the bad side toit was it left a massive gap in
my life, because any sport at ahigh level takes up a lot of
time and dedication andcommitment. Horses take up even
more, you know, even onChristmas Day and horses needed
doing. It taught me disciplinethat I've put into many areas of
(07:22):
my life. And I'm grateful forthat valuable lesson.
Can you take us back to was it2007? When you had your
accident? Describe a little bitabout how that happened?
Yeah, absolutely. I wascompeting at hospitals trying
not to insure, and there's anevent or compete that loads of
times before wasn't particularlyworried about it was a training
(07:43):
event for bigger one coming up.
And I set off on a cross countrycourse and the woodland tracks
split into two. And my horsethought we were going one way
was supposed to be going theother way. And he just clicked
his shoulder on the tree. And itflung me into the tree. And when
I hit the ground, I knew I wasparalysed, I knew all those
goals and dreams and ambitionsI've got for the future just
come to a grinding halt. And no,I think a background has been a
(08:04):
chiropractor, you know, had afair idea about the human body
and stuff. And I knew that wastotally life changing.
And that was you had theawareness in that moment that
things have changed.
Yeah, I mean, you always hopeyou're one of the ones that
recover. And I did for quite awhile and I knew that if it came
down to determination, I'dlearned enough through my sport,
(08:27):
to keep going when things gottough, and I put everything into
it. But that ended day I damagedmy spinal cord badly and didn't
get any recovery with movementor sensation. So I'm paralysed
from the chest down to have nomovement or any sensation from
the chest down.
What were the range of emotionsthat you experienced over the
(08:49):
course of the next couple ofdays and you were told that you
would never walk again? Right?
Absolutely. So I was airliftedto the Queen's medical in
Nottingham. And that's wherethey operated me. They put
titanium rods into my spine at Tfour level which is basically
the vertebra round chest level.
And I also fractured my neckfractured ribs punctured a lung.
I ended up getting pneumonia. Iwas in intensive care for 10
(09:10):
days and really poorly but itwas the night I was in there.
They operated on me the firstfirst night and they came in
after that and told me wordsthat in wanting they told me it
was highly unlikely I'd everwalk again. But of course it's
actually far more than that.
Walk is just one aspect of it. Ialso wouldn't compete my horses.
(09:30):
I wouldn't work as achiropractor again. There's so
many things I wouldn't dance thenight away with my mates on the
dance floor again, so manythings that came to stop from
that accident and also affectseverything from my injury level
down ready. So bowel and bladderwon't work properly. Again,
temperature regulation bloodpressure's affected nearly
everything. So just being toldyou can't walk again was a
(09:54):
massive thing. But actually thelist was so so long and there's
a lot to get your head aroundand Initially, I didn't think I
didn't cry for quite a longtime. Because the shock of it
and, and then I felt so poorly.
And I can't remember the firstfew days. I think it hits you
more, but later on it did for meanyway. And it's scary, you
know, you kind of got your lifemapped out as 27. And, and then
(10:17):
suddenly, it's like going backto scratch yet with a totally
different body as well. Sothere's a lot to get my head
around. And, you know, it's notan overnight thing of coming to
terms with it with an injurylike,
Yeah, I mean, I guess you loseyour identity and your sport and
the sum of the relationships asthey were as well around it.
(10:39):
Just wondering what was theimpact to your confidence, your
self esteem at that stage? Werethere things that you were
telling yourself on from aninternal dialogue point of view
that sort of spiralled you downat all?
Yes, I had a massive impact onmy confidence and self esteem.
Now, I felt like I'd lost myidentity as well. And like, no,
what was I now just someone 27sat in a wheelchair, not moving
(11:05):
was like going to put on weight,there was not going to be active
anymore. I never sat still for asecond before my accident. And
then my relationship had beenwith someone for years, and it
has an impact and everyonearound you. And that was falling
apart. It might have doneanyway, because you don't know.
But at the time, it was likeanother setback. I knew I had to
(11:25):
finish the relationship in orderto move on. Because being with
someone you don't feel wants tobe with you doesn't do
confidence, any good. As well aseverything else I was dealing
with. So yeah, it had an impactin really every area of my life.
And no, I didn't have a reasonto get up. And some of the
challenges I've done, everyonewill think they was my toughest
(11:45):
challenges. But just getting outof bed when I had no reason to
get up and do anything, just sitin a wheelchair. They were my
toughest times by a long way.
So how did you then like wheredid the rebuild start?
So I did it by taking everylittle opportunity. And it
wouldn't seem like much to mostpeople like going out for lunch
with friends, for example. It'svery easy to say no, when you're
(12:07):
feeling sorry for yourself sadand all the emotions that I went
through, it'd be very easy tostay in the same for was
thinking why me and dwelling onall the things I'd lost. But
most of time I'd make myself goout and see people leave the
house. And you know, onhindsight, I never felt proud of
myself for doing that. And Ishould have done because if I
(12:29):
hadn't done that I wouldn't havethe life that I've got now is
the first few kind of pieces tothe jigsaw describe it as
getting to the bigger picture togetting to where you want to be,
you've got to put all the piecesin. And these were the first few
pieces just going out the house.
And you know, it's importantpart of it. And then I got
offered a job in an office closeto where I live wasn't my dream
job, I could have done it when Iwas 16. I've had four years at
(12:50):
university training to be achiropractor. But again, I took
that opportunity. And even onthe days I didn't feel like it
I'd go into the office. And Ialways felt better for that. So
they were huge things. But Ididn't realise necessarily at
the time, I thought I was goinga bit backwards. But you know,
sometimes that's that backwardsin a life moves us forward. And
that's exactly what happened.
(13:12):
What made you do that though?
Because if even if you weren'tintentionally doing it at the
time, you were doing somethingquite special. I'm just
wondering, like, where did thatcome from that instinct.
I think it came from disciplineand willpower that I'd learned
from horses. It's like, No, Iknew that. I'm still here. My
injury hadn't killed me nearlydid, but it didn't. And if I
(13:32):
wanted to turn my life around, Iwas gonna have to do those
things as small things I didn'tknow that the future would be
quite like it was I wish I didat the time, it would have made
things a hell of a lot easier.
But you know, it's never goingto get better if I just gave in.
So it was fighting to moveforwards, I think and yeah, make
making myself even on the daysthat I didn't feel like it is
just discipline, you know, buteven now, I just got him from
(13:55):
hand cycling. And I don't alwaysfeel like going and hand
cycling. And again, you know,sometimes you just have to make
yourself do things because youknow the outcome is going to be
worth it.
It takes some courage I justreading about everything that
you do for the charities and forpeople with disabilities pipe
spinal injuries, but outside ofthat scope as right, it takes a
(14:16):
lot of courage to accept yoursituation and still be a
powerful voice in that arena.
I'm just interested to knowlike, how do you approach your
work that you do nowadays withsuch like an emotional vested
interest in it? Yeah, Iabsolutely love it. It's yeah,
it's another thing that myaccent has led me on to do. So I
got the job in the office and Idid that up to the when I did
the London Marathon. And thatwas another turning point in my
(14:40):
life when I did that. I did itin 17 days using the robotic
suits I walk the course. Andthat's led me on to being a
motivational speaker and goingout and doing the in the keynote
speaker a lot of events is justthe most incredible feeling
because when I chat to peopleafter actually making a
difference And it's not alwaysto do with spinal injuries and
(15:01):
disability, there's a whole lotof things for people just
finding the confidence to takethe next step in their careers,
believing in themselves. Youknow, we all have ups and downs
in life. And I think I can usemy story to show people that,
you know, if you keep pushingforward, you can do things that
would have once felt, you know,an imagine upon, not, you know,
the puck thought you couldn'teven do that, certainly where
(15:22):
I've gone with my life. Now, Ido things now that when I was
lying in hospital, I certainlydidn't think I'd be doing and,
and, you know, like I said, myrelationship fell apart. But I
met my husband just a year aftermy accident, on a dating
website, pay 20 quid for thatwas that job. So you have to be
(15:43):
proactive sometimes. And it's abit of a fun example of how to
do it. But you know, he wasn'tgonna come knocking on the door.
So I was doing a lot ofrehabbing a standing flame
board. And one of my friends hadaccidentally clicked on an
advert I think it was onFacebook or something. So I
thought, I'll fill out theprofile got nothing else to do.
It was really an experiment, seeif anyone would bother with
(16:04):
someone in a wheelchair. And Igot a message from Dan after
three days and, and I didalready I went to look at his
profile. I thought he looked solight, but I went to read his
message and yeah, to pay 20 quidand I wasn't very keen. I was
like, oh, no, I'm not wasting 20pounds. But all my friends
persuaded me to and, and yeah,got down. And then we've got two
little girls. And that's alittle actually nouns turned 12
(16:25):
today, so I've got a year leftbefore she becomes a teenager
that will bring a whole new meatbirds class challenge, which has
usually been the events thatI've done, but I'm gonna have a
teen years time. So there weare. So yeah, is all those
things. There's kind of got meto where I am now. Because the
fundraising the challenges willbe nothing without my family.
(16:47):
And that's what drives me on todo everything I do as well. And
plus, they telling me to hurryup. I'm slow when they spin out
walking.
How did that? How did thatopportunity come about for the
London Marathon? Because I knowthat you teamed up with quite a
pioneering company with thatbionic suit. But how did how did
you cultivate that opportunity?
It sounds like an incredibleachievement in itself.
(17:09):
I still did all my rehab for along time i Who knew I wanted to
get everything I got, like Isaid, But I realised, you know,
a few months in, I wasn't goingto get any movement or sensation
back. But I knew that I'd keepme fit and healthy or help keep
me fit and healthy to preventthings like pressure sores, and
circulation problems. So evennow, there's things that I do to
(17:32):
keep keep the parts that areparalysed in as good condition
as possible. And when I saw theReWalk suit on the internet, I
thought they're brilliant bit ofkit as a rehab tool to stand up
and take steps, but also as afundraising bit of kit. Because
I'd already started fundraisingon a lower level it's about to
come. But it's made in Israeland it wasn't in the UK and I
(17:53):
emailed the company, I managedto fundraise through the help of
the amazing the question wellgot behind me and Matt Hampson
Foundation, who helps injuresports people managed to get the
money, so we need to get it inthe UK. Anyway, it didn't look
like it's gonna happen in time.
But eventually, I managed to getit here in a rehab centre. And I
led to the London Marathon,because I thought that would
(18:16):
encourage them to get it here.
So I did I had 12 weeks to learnto walk in it, I was absolutely
useless at it. Because eventrust in your legs are there,
when you can't feel the groundbeneath you, you know, you're
quite vulnerable in the suit.
Because if I lean a little bittoo far back, I'm just gonna
fall straight backwards. And ifyou're too far forward, the
weight through your arms isagony for that long. And it
(18:37):
doesn't just walk for you usethe parts that aren't paralysed
to shift your weight. So itwaits for my introduction for
every step where I can't evenfeel where my legs are. So it
was it took a lot of mentalconcentration and focus, as well
as physically hard work on myupper body. But I stuck with it.
And eventually I got better, nota lot better, but a bit better.
(19:00):
And I just went with themindset, every step will get me
a step closer to the finish. Ittook me 17 days, but I was out
there all day, making my way tothe finish line. And the support
that I got when I was out therestill makes me feel emotional
now because it was just surreal.
The whole thing's was prettyamazing experience. The walking
(19:21):
was so enjoyable, but the actualraising the money and the
support and the feeling ofgetting to the finish line was
amazing. What didthat experience teach you on
your journey to give you anyother insights that you weren't
aware of at the time?
It taught me that people areincredibly generous. I think
that's one thing my accident hasshown me the the way people get
(19:43):
behind some of the things thatI've done is amazing. And, you
know, if they hadn't it wouldn'thave been the challenge. It was
it was down to everyone else. Ijust put lots of steps together.
Which got me to the finish line.
I think it taught me that. Youknow if you keep chipping away
at a goal You get there in theend, you don't have to be best
at things. Another thing and I'dsay to my children, no, it's
(20:05):
about having a go and a personalgoal. For me, it felt amazing
that I'd actually use my ownlegs to get to the finish line,
you know, from my feet. Yeah. Sonow you don't have to be the
best that things I've done thatwith all the challenges, since
I'm a jack of all trades, masterof none. So don't actually do
anything well, but I'll givethings a go. And I don't let
being you know not so good. Putme off. I just keep chipping
(20:29):
away and learning and willing toput in the effort, I think
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And I bet it will be the bestdecision you make this year. It
certainly was for me back to theshow. There's no fear of
judgement from other peoplebecause I I kind of guessed
(22:13):
that, as you're someone who'sbeen so accomplished in a sport
and being at the top of hersport, and then to be maybe seen
doing something different in adifferent environment and
looking different to how peopleremember you. Was there anything
mindset wise that came up aroundthat?
Not in the challenges so much bythen I got my confidence back I
(22:35):
got I love skiing, I foundskiing so that that made a
massive difference to me,because as I got better at it, I
did fall all the time to startwith but even that, because gave
me a focus, I wanted to getbetter. So it made me feel like
my old self and, and as I gotbetter, my you know, self esteem
came back and everything. Soit's a big part to get in where
I am. But in the early days,yeah, I felt so embarrassed in
(22:58):
the first year or so. But mysituation and seeing people, you
know, go to some of the horseshows and the year before I was
competing, and now I wasstruggling to get around on the
grass wheelchairs and grassdidn't go too well. I was
struggling to get around and eathelp. And it was awful. I felt
so awkward and embarrassed aboutmy situation. But as I rebuilt
(23:18):
my life, I don't feel that mydisability defines me. It's not
who I am and, and stuff. And Ihave a very balanced life a lot
of variation. So no, I don'tfeel like that about the
challenges. I just get out thereand do my best. And I don't
really care what people thinkit's just me doing my trying to
raise money and make adifference to other people.
(23:39):
Yeah,I love that. And, you know, my,
my mother got diagnosed with MSand spent 10 years, I think
trying to deny the fact that shewas ill and she needed a
wheelchair and she neededassistance. And she never really
saw herself as anything otherthan able bodied even when she
couldn't move a lot of body. AndI'm just kind of intrigued what
what what would you tell peoplethat are listening and getting
inspired, as I know that theywill be getting inspired, but
(24:01):
who are potentially maybefeeling a bit of fear around
putting themselves out thereagain?
Yeah, you know, I think ourbiggest limitation is ourself.
So I went through a processafter my accident of grieving
for what I lost, and thenaccepting what has happened to
me. And then finally adapting.
And now I think of it like 15years on from accident, nothing
(24:24):
has changed in terms of mydisability, I'm still paralysed
from the chest down. But onething did change. And that was
my mindset. And so I'm goingthrough that process. And if I
hadn't got my mindset around it,and started to focus on what I
could do rather than what Icouldn't, then I wouldn't be
(24:44):
sharing this story with you now.
It'd be a very, very differentstory. Most of it is what you
think and how you cope withsomething that said it takes
time that you know, I didn'twake up in the morning after a
spinal injury. I'm Gotta givethis everything I've got, I had
tears I lent on people, I sharedhow I felt, and I went through a
(25:05):
roller coaster of emotions. Butit took time. And gradually, I
pieced all those jigsaw piecestogether to, to rebuild. And now
I love the quote, tough timesdon't have to define you, but
they can redefine you. Andthat's exactly what's happened.
No, I'm not held back by mydisability. I, I have things now
(25:26):
on my CV that I couldn't dobefore. So in that way, I'm more
able. But there's obviouslythings I can't do as well, but I
don't, my life is full of allthe things that that are
possible.
Do you have any daily habits ormechanisms that you put in place
now that helped you sort ofthrive not even just cope, but
absolutely thrive in thepresence of the physical and
emotional challenges that you'regoing through? Are there any
(25:47):
habits that you've put in placenow that
not not only exercise, but atleast exercising fresh air?
There are two things that I losta bit when I had my accident
because I had no reason to gooutside. And Mum used to say,
being a real outside personalfarming family, I was always
outdoors, do my opponents beingactive, and suddenly I'd lost
that. And Mum used to say, no,just get outside, just go and
(26:10):
get some fresh air. And thatfirst year and I say to sit on
the ramp, like a disabledperson, you know, I hadn't
eaten, I'd like just park myselfoutside and do what because I'm
a doer. So when I started tofind things that I could do, and
handcycling is one of the thingsthat I do, again, not too high
level, I don't have any desireto be the best at it, I just go
(26:31):
out and get that daily exerciseand fresh air. And that's where
I've just been an hour'sexercise set you up for the day.
Of course, my day actuallystarts by trying to get my kids
out of the house on time andbrush their teeth and hair and
get the school back together andthe same nagging every morning.
But then yeah, then if I if I'mat home or not away speaking or
(26:51):
doing something else, then it'dbe exercise sets me up for the
day.
It sounds like you had thatidentity, obviously, the strong
identity from being a sportswoman and we all everyone that
sort of has a drive and ambitionprobably has an identity and
something that they do. And thenyou also sounded like you nearly
adopted identity as a say, adisabled person early on, and
then was able to almost dump orpark that identity and redefine
(27:15):
it again. What What was thatprocess like? Like, how did you
how did you sort of not attachedto an identity and actually go
in a different direction?
I think you know, with myaccident, and what happened to
me and what I did before, Ifound it very hard to go back to
my old life. Because I couldn'tI did write again. By the way, I
was back on a horse 12 weeksafter my accident. And everyone
(27:36):
was saying to me, that must beamazing to be back on but it
wasn't because I still felt likethe same person. So two thirds
of my body didn't work. But Ifelt I still wanted to jump the
big fences and do the excitingcompetitions, not walk and trot
on a quiet horse. So it didn'tgive me a boost. So that's why
really in everyone in the earlydays of me suggesting still
(27:57):
things clinging on to my oldlife. And I decided I need to do
completely new things because Ihad no comparison to how I would
have done it and and I thinkwhen I did ride, I did a whole
summer of it after I had the2012 Paralympic selectors come
and see me about possibly aimingfor that give me a goal, which I
appreciated, but I knew itwasn't really for me because it
(28:17):
was never it would never compareto what I did, where it was the
things and the direction I'vegone I've been totally new to
me. So learning to fly riding amotorbike none of these things I
did before maps then. And I alsolove the sports that I've chosen
because I can go and do it withanyone really family, I go
skiing and I'm with my girls andmy husband and my mum and dad.
(28:39):
And the same you know you go toa airfield and just round
everyone it's not I don't haveto be held back because of my
disability. Same on the trackday, mainly men able bodied bit
Velcro, my knee toe clip and agear shifter. Once a mountain
track you wouldn't know asparalysed. So I love the fact
(29:00):
that I don't feel like it holdsme back. Or I feel like I have
to do it with everyone with aninjury. I can be out there with
everyone else. And for me somepeople love doing the wheelchair
sports and that's right forthem. I love the fact that I'm
just out there. My My disabilityis really not part of what I do.
I have to do it differently withhand controls and adaptions. But
(29:22):
you wouldn't know from thesports I do.
How's the how's the flyinggoing? I'm kind of intrigued to
understand how that works in howit's going for you.
Yeah, so a little bit differentto you. I fly a little flexing
microlight. I haven't adapted.
So I have a throttle on the bar,control bar. And then what you
normally do that with your feet,and the same with the steering
(29:43):
and the brake is on my otherhand, so sometimes I feel like I
need a third arm and hands. Youknow, I haven't done it any
other way. So just is my normal.
And yeah, I started that justbefore COVID and lockdown so
it's been on and off learningfor Live big breaks. But I
finally got my licence inJanuary last year. Although it's
(30:05):
a restricted licence, I've gotto cross country flights to do
which I'm should do any timesoon been clocking up my solo
hours. And yeah, you know, ittakes me about really like when
I when I think like Londonmarathon a lot of the things I
do is literally step by step. SoI remember being with my
instructor three or four lessonsin looking down from like, three
(30:28):
and a half 1000 feet, thinking Inever want to be up here on my
own and all this radio stuff.
And it all seems so daunting.
But of course I didn't at thatpoint. But then when you put a
lesson attached to a lessonlesson, finally comes that day
way says right, I'm getting outtoday you're on your own and,
and that's I think one thing I'dsay is, we can so often put
ourselves off from thinking sofar ahead too early, I got my
(30:51):
goal of getting my licence, butthen just break it down. And
just don't keep thinking of thatjust enjoy the process of
learning, because that's howit's been with all of them. You
know, once I couldn't, I keptfalling off the motorbike. But
if I stuck with it, I got goodenough to get my race licence, I
could get out on the track dayand, and that's been the aim.
And it's all to raise money,really. So my fly and I've got
(31:13):
logos all over my flying suitthat companies and personal
donations, and I've raisedaround 14,000 pounds so far. And
also, it's actually my wholepackage of learning to fly was
bought by someone what listenedto me speaking at an event. So
I've been very, very lucky likethat. And then but I like to use
it to help others in the future.
Amazing. And yeah, I think goingback to that flying analogy,
(31:35):
it's quite easy, because youhave such a defined lesson plan
that you don't get too farahead, because you're just
focusing on what am I learningabout this week X, Y, and Zed
and it's kind of quite defined,whereas I guess a lot of people
they have a vision, but thenthey have no clear path to get
there. And it feels quiteoverwhelming a lot of the time.
And I love your idea of sort ofchunking it down into really,
(31:56):
really small bits and justchipping away.
Exactly, there's like that inthe London Marathon, I could
always get to the next lamppostand never look too far, you can
always get there. And it's justthe same, you know, and all
those lampposts put together,you get to your finish line and,
and that's what it was like withthe fly in, in those. To be
honest with something like thatI didn't want him to send me
solo before he really was 110%or so I was never Richins I
(32:20):
never got to the point whenthinking how much longer have I
got to do this? Because, youknow, safety comes first with
all of these things, and, andnot how quickly I can do it. And
I haven't done it in thequickest number of hours. And
people say how many hours did ittake to qualify? You know, to
me, that's not really doesn'tmatter. I couldn't care less if
it in 40 hours or 120, you getto the same point. And that's
(32:42):
the thing not to let that betheir big focus. It doesn't
matter the end of the day, youqualify as a pilot, whether you
do it in 40 hours or 120.
I always think you're neverready for your next flight as
well. And when I when I say thatto people, what I mean is that
when they send you solo, forinstance, you never feel like
you're ready for that solo. Youjust you look over when they
(33:03):
tell you to take off and you'rejust like what, why am I going
up on my own? I don't know whatI'm doing. And then you just
follow the process step by stepby step until you land again.
And then by the time you'vefinished it, that's when you're
ready. Exactly.
So true. It's so true. Even nowlive in climate and still very
inexperienced. But I'm up then Ithink how am I actually appeal
my own? Yeah, you look up hereon my own. It's nothing short of
(33:28):
a miracle. But yeah, that isit's just a learning thing. And
you know, if you're willing tostick with it, and there will be
days where you don't performquite as well. I learned that
with horses, it doesn't go toplan. One minute with horses you
win in next minute. You're onyour backside. No, it isn't.
It's about that when it doesn'tgo to plan and that's is that
stickability and dedication anddiscipline that can get you to
(33:51):
where you want to be not givingup.
Yeah, I love that. And you'veachieved some utterly incredible
things. You've talked aboutflying and like the London
Marathon you've raised 1000s of1000s for charity as well. I
know that you also met yourhusband after your accident had
to I'm guessing beautiful kidsjust improvising on that one but
and receive received an MBE forall the amazing work you've done
(34:13):
and the rich life that you'veyou've lived that allowed others
to live? I'm kind of intriguedto understand. Would you still
take back the accident? Now ifyou could,
I wouldn't change my life oranything. Because a it's taught
me a hell of a lot. It's taughtme what's important in life. I
probably wouldn't have met Dan,because I wouldn't have been
strapped into a standing frameboard and signed on for an inch.
(34:36):
I would have been invented so Iwouldn't have amazing clothing
in my life. So why would Ichange it back if I could and
also I wouldn't have done thethings that I've done. I would I
would never know what I wouldhave done. But there's good
chance I'd have still beenriding horses. I loved it. I
wouldn't change it for theworld. I did it but it no I was
(34:58):
forced to try different thingsand, and I think still learning
new things is so good for you,when you're old, your kids go
off to all these clubs and theyalways try new things. And you
do when you're younger. And it'svery easy to get set in your
ways. As you get older, youthink like, this is my job.
These are my hobbies and not trynew things. And I've been forced
into having an open mind andtrying things that I'd never
(35:18):
considered. So did I have anyburning desire to be a pilot?
Absolutely not. Did I want toride motorbikes? Absolutely not,
you know, I wanted to ridehorses. That's all I could have
thought of right up to myaccident, and for a few few
months after, but if I was goingto move forward, I had to have
an open mind and be willing totry things. And in I found that
I love loads of things. Sosometimes we can be quite
(35:40):
closed. And and you know, it's abig world out there. There's so
much you can do. And no, Iwouldn't change my life back.
Because because it closed a lotof doors. Yes, it was hard. It
was heartbreaking. But it'sopened even more.
Yeah, well, it sounds likeyou've opened even more. And
it's definitely a consciousdecision at some stage, what
have you got going on next,what's what's next for you to
(36:01):
conquer.
I am supposed to be doing a lapof the Northwest 200, which is a
close race in Northern Ireland.
And it's such an amazingopportunity. I'm so excited.
It's in May. However, last week,I was just about to go on the
stage at an event that half anhour before it's due to speak.
And this I got this slide on myPowerPoint of the Northwest. And
I saw someone attack me onTwitter. And all the Northern
(36:24):
Ireland road races have beencancelled, because the insurance
prices have gone upconsiderably. So I got went and
asked, can you take that slideout, because I don't know what's
happened. Since then, they'veannounced it's not cancelled
yet. It's 5050 chance. So I'mreally hoping it goes ahead, I
will be absolutely petrified onthe day. I've never ridden on a
(36:46):
road, you know, you've got curbstrees, you know, like with
trees, and people around you. Sototally different. You got bumps
on the track, it's muchsmoother. So I think a bit about
karma been that they would begood too. So I'm hoping that
happens, because I think it'd bea brilliant fundraiser. Thornton
push me myself out the comfortzone and something I could just
(37:07):
never do, unless it's at a loadlate at night, and they invite
me to do it. So the opportunityis there, the organisers have
been brilliant, trying the bestfor it to go ahead. So fingers
crossed, I think we're here inthe next week or two
fingers crossed, I'm definitelygoing to be keeping my eyes open
for that one. And I'm sureyou'll have a contingency plan.
If that fails,there's one thing that horses do
(37:28):
is, you know, you're never thento leave the stock box or enter
the arena with a horse, they cango lame at the last minute. So,
you know, I've had that in mylife before my accident that,
you know, it teaches you how todeal with disappointment. So
we'll be disappointed. But youhave to find a plan b Don't use
that's what I'll do. Buteverything's crossed.
(37:52):
Amazing. Before we go, Claire,we do have some quickfire
questions for you. The first oneis one piece of advice you would
tell your younger self beforestarting out,
you know if life doesn't go toplan, which it won't at some
point for everyone. There'salways another route, there's
always another path and anotheropportunity. So make sure you
find thatone mantra or belief that has
enabled your high performancelife. I would say to believe in
(38:16):
yourself, no matter whatobstacles you face bumps in the
road, to really believe that youcan get through it. Because your
mindset is everything. And howyou tackle something
amazing. One ingredient or habitthat continues to contribute to
the success that you have themost exercise exercise.
(38:38):
I'd say that the two things thatmake you more productive makes
me healthier mentally,physically. Yes, that's a big
part of my life. And I you know,I'm aware of my upper body not
overusing that I just do a niceamount that keeps me keeps me
well.
And finally, what's your go totune or artists for a tough
training session? Or maybe evenwhat you what you resorted to
(39:01):
when you were doing the LondonMarathon? Was there any any tune
that that helped you through it?
Well, we had such a funsoundtrack when we're doing the
water. I wasn't just Londonmountain I did the Great North
Run in five days Manchestermarathon in nine days. Great
South run all over through thenight and 24 hours. So we've got
a really good soundtrack. Itdoes keep going. So I think The
(39:23):
Proclaimers or what 500 Mileswas played a million times and
kept me walking.
I love that it's going on isgoing on to the performance
hacker soundtrack now as well.
So appreciate that. Having seenthe realities of a super healthy
woman in my mother, who was verystrong willed, very able bodied
and having her life flippedaround and becoming wheelchair
(39:43):
bound. I just want to say thankyou so much for not only
everything you've achieved andyou continue to achieve, I mean
it's absolutely awe inspiring,but also for inspiring, more
than just people that are insimilar situations to you but
inspiring people like me, andthe people that Listen to the
show as well. So thank you somuch for for everything you
continue to do and the energythat you show up in life that as
(40:04):
well because even today, likeyou've probably bounced around
and given off way more energythan I have. So that's
definitely something that I canI can look at you and say thank
you very much for role modellingthe way that you show up in
life.
Thank you so much and it's beenabsolute pleasure to join you,
Scott. Thank you
When I hit the ground I knew I was paralysed. I
know all those goals and dreamsand ambitions I've got for the
future just come to a grindinghalt it's very easy to say no
when you're feeling sorry foryourself sad and all the
emotions that I went through.
It'd be very easy to stay in thesame for was thinking why me and
dwelling on all the things I'velost
Unknown (00:35):
and I just went with the mindset. Every step will get
me a step closer to the finish.
It took me 17 days but I was outthere all day making my way to
the finish line. And the supportthat I got when I was out there
still makes me feel emotionalnow because it's just surreal.
Scott Radford (01:00):
Welcome, I'm Scott Radford versus the
performance hackers and today'sguest Claire lo mas MBE went
from being a competitive athleteas a horse rider to being
paralysed from the chest downafter an accident on her horse
during competition. In thatmoment, her life changed
forever. But instead of lettinga disability define her, she
actually used it to powerfullyredefine her life, showing the
(01:21):
strength and determination andcourage to rebuild her life.
Claire has completed multipleendurance races in both
pioneering robotic suits andhand cycles, learn to ride
motorbikes and fly planesprobably better than me, and was
awarded an MBE for raising fundsand awareness to spinal cord
charities. Her energy andmindset is truly inspiring. This
(01:42):
is really the reason why I dothis podcast, so I can't wait to
share it with you. Withoutfurther ado, Claire lo mas MBE.
Unknown (01:57):
Claire, thank you so much for being on the show
today. Really appreciate it.
That's alright, no problem.
You've been someone who'sdemonstrated over your life and
over your story from what I'veread is someone who loves
pushing the boundaries. I'm justkind of curious, was that
present in your childhood?
Yeah, I mean, I had a lifechanging accident. And I
remember one of the things thatI thought very early on is how
(02:19):
was I ever going to replace thesport that I loved so much, and
push me out of my comfort zone?
Most weekends I'd be competing.
So yeah, I think it came from,from early on. However, I wasn't
the bravest child. It's reallybeen a process of learning and
(02:39):
taking time to develop myself myconfidence to be able to do the
things that I do, all the waythrough my life.
And we'll definitely get on tothat. Because you you said there
before you became a quite anaccomplished rider early on, and
you were saying that youcompeted at Burghley Horse
Trials, which is I guess, thepinnacle for Escot Aryans and
horse riders. I'm quite curiousif I'd have met a young Claire,
(03:00):
what would she have said heraspirations were
without a doubt it was to get toBernie Horse Trials. I went to
school in Stamford inLincolnshire, and there's the
back of where I went to school.
So it was my childhood dream andI rode ponies. Well, as soon as
I was on my feet walk and I wason ponies, and eventually got
into the sport of eventing andvery early I was out there
competing probably from about1312 or 13, lower level and, and
(03:22):
to actually get there and beriding there felt like all my
dreams are coming true. It hadbeen my goal for for many years
alongside being a chiropractor,I've been to university and got
my degree. So you know, had mysport and my business that I'd
set up before had that lifechanging accident.
(03:44):
There's a quote by James Allenthat I absolutely love. It says
adversity does not buildcharacter, it reveals it. I'm
kind of curious to understandwhether some main influences in
your life growing up that sortof informed who you are and how
you're able to display thatcharacter to rebuild your life
again after the accident.
Yeah, I think parents are mybiggest role models. They taught
(04:08):
me a lot still. And then I wastaught by Lucinda Greene, who's
a top event rider. And I left mylessons with her. And the thing
like even now, she's a big partof my life. He doesn't teach me
don't ride now. But I still havea voice in my head when I'm
doing some of the challengesthat I've taken on since and she
was very black and white withhow she taught and it's pretty
(04:31):
straightforward. And if anyoneknown in her lessons was did
them in or having a moment wherethey're not believing in
themselves. You say just get onwith it. And I still hear now so
on some of the things I do andI'm thinking am I capable and
you know negative thoughts creepin, I hear LISTEN to His voice.
So that sort of direct matter offact approach kind of appeal to
(04:52):
you.
Absolutely. And just as you keepdoing a little bit more and
edging out your comfort zone.
It's wider and bigger so you cantell Come on. So you build your
confidence from actually doingthings. So, you know, I didn't
just get to Burnley, I did yearsof hard work to train to get to
that level, to each level wasout my comfort zone and pushing
my boundaries. And suddenly Ifound myself at the highest of
(05:13):
levels. And no, it was reallyexciting to get there. But so
was all the milestones on theway.
What was your vision afterBernie? Because Bernie is the
pinnacle? What was your visionafter that going forward?
Yeah, I mean, it's a hard spot.
It depends what horses you'vegot, what owners I had, and no,
I had some great ones at thetime. They're all homebred
(05:34):
horses, and I produce them fromyoung ones. So it is hard to say
what the future had in storebecause I don't know, you know,
the horses I had. Two of themwould have been good enough that
level, possibly others, butthey've got to stay. Well, you
know, when it's like when you'redoing a sport at the top level,
you've got injury risks when youevent and you've got to review
(05:56):
the horse on yourself. So whoknows, but my goals would have
been to go on from there competeagain at Burleigh and badminton,
the other Horse Trials at thatlevel, I'd love to have made a
team but you know, I don't knowif that would have been possible
or not. And I never will know.
But it's certainly put me oninto new directions.
You mentioned about having tohave you obviously the horse and
(06:17):
yourself as an athlete. That'squite a curious one, isn't it?
Because normally, when you're aprofessional athlete, you're
kind of responsible unlessyou're in a team, you're
responsible for your ownperformance. And the people at
the top are those that have justgot there themselves almost, or
they've been lucky enough to bein a team. Whereas you're almost
relying a little bit on having adecent horse at the time as
(06:38):
well. Is that right?
Yeah, it isn't, it's actually avery special sport. I don't
think I'll ever find one quitelike it. Because you are you're
working like with an animal whocan do its own thing doesn't
have a break that you can pressand, you know, it can do what
they want to do on what theydon't want to do. But the
partnership you get when you getto that level, the trust they
(07:00):
have in you. There's nothinglike it. It was amazing. And,
and the bond and the bad side toit was it left a massive gap in
my life, because any sport at ahigh level takes up a lot of
time and dedication andcommitment. Horses take up even
more, you know, even onChristmas Day and horses needed
doing. It taught me disciplinethat I've put into many areas of
(07:22):
my life. And I'm grateful forthat valuable lesson.
Can you take us back to was it2007? When you had your
accident? Describe a little bitabout how that happened?
Yeah, absolutely. I wascompeting at hospitals trying
not to insure, and there's anevent or compete that loads of
times before wasn't particularlyworried about it was a training
(07:43):
event for bigger one coming up.
And I set off on a cross countrycourse and the woodland tracks
split into two. And my horsethought we were going one way
was supposed to be going theother way. And he just clicked
his shoulder on the tree. And itflung me into the tree. And when
I hit the ground, I knew I wasparalysed, I knew all those
goals and dreams and ambitionsI've got for the future just
come to a grinding halt. And no,I think a background has been a
(08:04):
chiropractor, you know, had afair idea about the human body
and stuff. And I knew that wastotally life changing.
And that was you had theawareness in that moment that
things have changed.
Yeah, I mean, you always hopeyou're one of the ones that
recover. And I did for quite awhile and I knew that if it came
down to determination, I'dlearned enough through my sport,
(08:27):
to keep going when things gottough, and I put everything into
it. But that ended day I damagedmy spinal cord badly and didn't
get any recovery with movementor sensation. So I'm paralysed
from the chest down to have nomovement or any sensation from
the chest down.
What were the range of emotionsthat you experienced over the
(08:49):
course of the next couple ofdays and you were told that you
would never walk again? Right?
Absolutely. So I was airliftedto the Queen's medical in
Nottingham. And that's wherethey operated me. They put
titanium rods into my spine at Tfour level which is basically
the vertebra round chest level.
And I also fractured my neckfractured ribs punctured a lung.
I ended up getting pneumonia. Iwas in intensive care for 10
(09:10):
days and really poorly but itwas the night I was in there.
They operated on me the firstfirst night and they came in
after that and told me wordsthat in wanting they told me it
was highly unlikely I'd everwalk again. But of course it's
actually far more than that.
Walk is just one aspect of it. Ialso wouldn't compete my horses.
(09:30):
I wouldn't work as achiropractor again. There's so
many things I wouldn't dance thenight away with my mates on the
dance floor again, so manythings that came to stop from
that accident and also affectseverything from my injury level
down ready. So bowel and bladderwon't work properly. Again,
temperature regulation bloodpressure's affected nearly
everything. So just being toldyou can't walk again was a
(09:54):
massive thing. But actually thelist was so so long and there's
a lot to get your head aroundand Initially, I didn't think I
didn't cry for quite a longtime. Because the shock of it
and, and then I felt so poorly.
And I can't remember the firstfew days. I think it hits you
more, but later on it did for meanyway. And it's scary, you
know, you kind of got your lifemapped out as 27. And, and then
(10:17):
suddenly, it's like going backto scratch yet with a totally
different body as well. Sothere's a lot to get my head
around. And, you know, it's notan overnight thing of coming to
terms with it with an injurylike,
Yeah, I mean, I guess you loseyour identity and your sport and
the sum of the relationships asthey were as well around it.
(10:39):
Just wondering what was theimpact to your confidence, your
self esteem at that stage? Werethere things that you were
telling yourself on from aninternal dialogue point of view
that sort of spiralled you downat all?
Yes, I had a massive impact onmy confidence and self esteem.
Now, I felt like I'd lost myidentity as well. And like, no,
what was I now just someone 27sat in a wheelchair, not moving
(11:05):
was like going to put on weight,there was not going to be active
anymore. I never sat still for asecond before my accident. And
then my relationship had beenwith someone for years, and it
has an impact and everyonearound you. And that was falling
apart. It might have doneanyway, because you don't know.
But at the time, it was likeanother setback. I knew I had to
(11:25):
finish the relationship in orderto move on. Because being with
someone you don't feel wants tobe with you doesn't do
confidence, any good. As well aseverything else I was dealing
with. So yeah, it had an impactin really every area of my life.
And no, I didn't have a reasonto get up. And some of the
challenges I've done, everyonewill think they was my toughest
(11:45):
challenges. But just getting outof bed when I had no reason to
get up and do anything, just sitin a wheelchair. They were my
toughest times by a long way.
So how did you then like wheredid the rebuild start?
So I did it by taking everylittle opportunity. And it
wouldn't seem like much to mostpeople like going out for lunch
with friends, for example. It'svery easy to say no, when you're
(12:07):
feeling sorry for yourself sadand all the emotions that I went
through, it'd be very easy tostay in the same for was
thinking why me and dwelling onall the things I'd lost. But
most of time I'd make myself goout and see people leave the
house. And you know, onhindsight, I never felt proud of
myself for doing that. And Ishould have done because if I
(12:29):
hadn't done that I wouldn't havethe life that I've got now is
the first few kind of pieces tothe jigsaw describe it as
getting to the bigger picture togetting to where you want to be,
you've got to put all the piecesin. And these were the first few
pieces just going out the house.
And you know, it's importantpart of it. And then I got
offered a job in an office closeto where I live wasn't my dream
job, I could have done it when Iwas 16. I've had four years at
(12:50):
university training to be achiropractor. But again, I took
that opportunity. And even onthe days I didn't feel like it
I'd go into the office. And Ialways felt better for that. So
they were huge things. But Ididn't realise necessarily at
the time, I thought I was goinga bit backwards. But you know,
sometimes that's that backwardsin a life moves us forward. And
that's exactly what happened.
(13:12):
What made you do that though?
Because if even if you weren'tintentionally doing it at the
time, you were doing somethingquite special. I'm just
wondering, like, where did thatcome from that instinct.
I think it came from disciplineand willpower that I'd learned
from horses. It's like, No, Iknew that. I'm still here. My
injury hadn't killed me nearlydid, but it didn't. And if I
(13:32):
wanted to turn my life around, Iwas gonna have to do those
things as small things I didn'tknow that the future would be
quite like it was I wish I didat the time, it would have made
things a hell of a lot easier.
But you know, it's never goingto get better if I just gave in.
So it was fighting to moveforwards, I think and yeah, make
making myself even on the daysthat I didn't feel like it is
just discipline, you know, buteven now, I just got him from
(13:55):
hand cycling. And I don't alwaysfeel like going and hand
cycling. And again, you know,sometimes you just have to make
yourself do things because youknow the outcome is going to be
worth it.
It takes some courage I justreading about everything that
you do for the charities and forpeople with disabilities pipe
spinal injuries, but outside ofthat scope as right, it takes a
(14:16):
lot of courage to accept yoursituation and still be a
powerful voice in that arena.
I'm just interested to knowlike, how do you approach your
work that you do nowadays withsuch like an emotional vested
interest in it? Yeah, Iabsolutely love it. It's yeah,
it's another thing that myaccent has led me on to do. So I
got the job in the office and Idid that up to the when I did
the London Marathon. And thatwas another turning point in my
(14:40):
life when I did that. I did itin 17 days using the robotic
suits I walk the course. Andthat's led me on to being a
motivational speaker and goingout and doing the in the keynote
speaker a lot of events is justthe most incredible feeling
because when I chat to peopleafter actually making a
difference And it's not alwaysto do with spinal injuries and
(15:01):
disability, there's a whole lotof things for people just
finding the confidence to takethe next step in their careers,
believing in themselves. Youknow, we all have ups and downs
in life. And I think I can usemy story to show people that,
you know, if you keep pushingforward, you can do things that
would have once felt, you know,an imagine upon, not, you know,
the puck thought you couldn'teven do that, certainly where
(15:22):
I've gone with my life. Now, Ido things now that when I was
lying in hospital, I certainlydidn't think I'd be doing and,
and, you know, like I said, myrelationship fell apart. But I
met my husband just a year aftermy accident, on a dating
website, pay 20 quid for thatwas that job. So you have to be
(15:43):
proactive sometimes. And it's abit of a fun example of how to
do it. But you know, he wasn'tgonna come knocking on the door.
So I was doing a lot ofrehabbing a standing flame
board. And one of my friends hadaccidentally clicked on an
advert I think it was onFacebook or something. So I
thought, I'll fill out theprofile got nothing else to do.
It was really an experiment, seeif anyone would bother with
(16:04):
someone in a wheelchair. And Igot a message from Dan after
three days and, and I didalready I went to look at his
profile. I thought he looked solight, but I went to read his
message and yeah, to pay 20 quidand I wasn't very keen. I was
like, oh, no, I'm not wasting 20pounds. But all my friends
persuaded me to and, and yeah,got down. And then we've got two
little girls. And that's alittle actually nouns turned 12
(16:25):
today, so I've got a year leftbefore she becomes a teenager
that will bring a whole new meatbirds class challenge, which has
usually been the events thatI've done, but I'm gonna have a
teen years time. So there weare. So yeah, is all those
things. There's kind of got meto where I am now. Because the
fundraising the challenges willbe nothing without my family.
(16:47):
And that's what drives me on todo everything I do as well. And
plus, they telling me to hurryup. I'm slow when they spin out
walking.
How did that? How did thatopportunity come about for the
London Marathon? Because I knowthat you teamed up with quite a
pioneering company with thatbionic suit. But how did how did
you cultivate that opportunity?
It sounds like an incredibleachievement in itself.
(17:09):
I still did all my rehab for along time i Who knew I wanted to
get everything I got, like Isaid, But I realised, you know,
a few months in, I wasn't goingto get any movement or sensation
back. But I knew that I'd keepme fit and healthy or help keep
me fit and healthy to preventthings like pressure sores, and
circulation problems. So evennow, there's things that I do to
(17:32):
keep keep the parts that areparalysed in as good condition
as possible. And when I saw theReWalk suit on the internet, I
thought they're brilliant bit ofkit as a rehab tool to stand up
and take steps, but also as afundraising bit of kit. Because
I'd already started fundraisingon a lower level it's about to
come. But it's made in Israeland it wasn't in the UK and I
(17:53):
emailed the company, I managedto fundraise through the help of
the amazing the question wellgot behind me and Matt Hampson
Foundation, who helps injuresports people managed to get the
money, so we need to get it inthe UK. Anyway, it didn't look
like it's gonna happen in time.
But eventually, I managed to getit here in a rehab centre. And I
led to the London Marathon,because I thought that would
(18:16):
encourage them to get it here.
So I did I had 12 weeks to learnto walk in it, I was absolutely
useless at it. Because eventrust in your legs are there,
when you can't feel the groundbeneath you, you know, you're
quite vulnerable in the suit.
Because if I lean a little bittoo far back, I'm just gonna
fall straight backwards. And ifyou're too far forward, the
weight through your arms isagony for that long. And it
(18:37):
doesn't just walk for you usethe parts that aren't paralysed
to shift your weight. So itwaits for my introduction for
every step where I can't evenfeel where my legs are. So it
was it took a lot of mentalconcentration and focus, as well
as physically hard work on myupper body. But I stuck with it.
And eventually I got better, nota lot better, but a bit better.
(19:00):
And I just went with themindset, every step will get me
a step closer to the finish. Ittook me 17 days, but I was out
there all day, making my way tothe finish line. And the support
that I got when I was out therestill makes me feel emotional
now because it was just surreal.
The whole thing's was prettyamazing experience. The walking
(19:21):
was so enjoyable, but the actualraising the money and the
support and the feeling ofgetting to the finish line was
amazing. What didthat experience teach you on
your journey to give you anyother insights that you weren't
aware of at the time?
It taught me that people areincredibly generous. I think
that's one thing my accident hasshown me the the way people get
(19:43):
behind some of the things thatI've done is amazing. And, you
know, if they hadn't it wouldn'thave been the challenge. It was
it was down to everyone else. Ijust put lots of steps together.
Which got me to the finish line.
I think it taught me that. Youknow if you keep chipping away
at a goal You get there in theend, you don't have to be best
at things. Another thing and I'dsay to my children, no, it's
(20:05):
about having a go and a personalgoal. For me, it felt amazing
that I'd actually use my ownlegs to get to the finish line,
you know, from my feet. Yeah. Sonow you don't have to be the
best that things I've done thatwith all the challenges, since
I'm a jack of all trades, masterof none. So don't actually do
anything well, but I'll givethings a go. And I don't let
being you know not so good. Putme off. I just keep chipping
(20:29):
away and learning and willing toput in the effort, I think
I want to take a few seconds totalk 2040, the sponsors of this
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(20:49):
helped me grow and developpersonally to bowl intensive
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(21:10):
and missing the energy and theideas and a collaboration of
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(21:52):
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And I bet it will be the bestdecision you make this year. It
certainly was for me back to theshow. There's no fear of
judgement from other peoplebecause I I kind of guessed
(22:13):
that, as you're someone who'sbeen so accomplished in a sport
and being at the top of hersport, and then to be maybe seen
doing something different in adifferent environment and
looking different to how peopleremember you. Was there anything
mindset wise that came up aroundthat?
Not in the challenges so much bythen I got my confidence back I
(22:35):
got I love skiing, I foundskiing so that that made a
massive difference to me,because as I got better at it, I
did fall all the time to startwith but even that, because gave
me a focus, I wanted to getbetter. So it made me feel like
my old self and, and as I gotbetter, my you know, self esteem
came back and everything. Soit's a big part to get in where
I am. But in the early days,yeah, I felt so embarrassed in
(22:58):
the first year or so. But mysituation and seeing people, you
know, go to some of the horseshows and the year before I was
competing, and now I wasstruggling to get around on the
grass wheelchairs and grassdidn't go too well. I was
struggling to get around and eathelp. And it was awful. I felt
so awkward and embarrassed aboutmy situation. But as I rebuilt
(23:18):
my life, I don't feel that mydisability defines me. It's not
who I am and, and stuff. And Ihave a very balanced life a lot
of variation. So no, I don'tfeel like that about the
challenges. I just get out thereand do my best. And I don't
really care what people thinkit's just me doing my trying to
raise money and make adifference to other people.
(23:39):
Yeah,I love that. And, you know, my,
my mother got diagnosed with MSand spent 10 years, I think
trying to deny the fact that shewas ill and she needed a
wheelchair and she neededassistance. And she never really
saw herself as anything otherthan able bodied even when she
couldn't move a lot of body. AndI'm just kind of intrigued what
what what would you tell peoplethat are listening and getting
inspired, as I know that theywill be getting inspired, but
(24:01):
who are potentially maybefeeling a bit of fear around
putting themselves out thereagain?
Yeah, you know, I think ourbiggest limitation is ourself.
So I went through a processafter my accident of grieving
for what I lost, and thenaccepting what has happened to
me. And then finally adapting.
And now I think of it like 15years on from accident, nothing
(24:24):
has changed in terms of mydisability, I'm still paralysed
from the chest down. But onething did change. And that was
my mindset. And so I'm goingthrough that process. And if I
hadn't got my mindset around it,and started to focus on what I
could do rather than what Icouldn't, then I wouldn't be
(24:44):
sharing this story with you now.
It'd be a very, very differentstory. Most of it is what you
think and how you cope withsomething that said it takes
time that you know, I didn'twake up in the morning after a
spinal injury. I'm Gotta givethis everything I've got, I had
tears I lent on people, I sharedhow I felt, and I went through a
(25:05):
roller coaster of emotions. Butit took time. And gradually, I
pieced all those jigsaw piecestogether to, to rebuild. And now
I love the quote, tough timesdon't have to define you, but
they can redefine you. Andthat's exactly what's happened.
No, I'm not held back by mydisability. I, I have things now
(25:26):
on my CV that I couldn't dobefore. So in that way, I'm more
able. But there's obviouslythings I can't do as well, but I
don't, my life is full of allthe things that that are
possible.
Do you have any daily habits ormechanisms that you put in place
now that helped you sort ofthrive not even just cope, but
absolutely thrive in thepresence of the physical and
emotional challenges that you'regoing through? Are there any
(25:47):
habits that you've put in placenow that
not not only exercise, but atleast exercising fresh air?
There are two things that I losta bit when I had my accident
because I had no reason to gooutside. And Mum used to say,
being a real outside personalfarming family, I was always
outdoors, do my opponents beingactive, and suddenly I'd lost
that. And Mum used to say, no,just get outside, just go and
(26:10):
get some fresh air. And thatfirst year and I say to sit on
the ramp, like a disabledperson, you know, I hadn't
eaten, I'd like just park myselfoutside and do what because I'm
a doer. So when I started tofind things that I could do, and
handcycling is one of the thingsthat I do, again, not too high
level, I don't have any desireto be the best at it, I just go
(26:31):
out and get that daily exerciseand fresh air. And that's where
I've just been an hour'sexercise set you up for the day.
Of course, my day actuallystarts by trying to get my kids
out of the house on time andbrush their teeth and hair and
get the school back together andthe same nagging every morning.
But then yeah, then if I if I'mat home or not away speaking or
(26:51):
doing something else, then it'dbe exercise sets me up for the
day.
It sounds like you had thatidentity, obviously, the strong
identity from being a sportswoman and we all everyone that
sort of has a drive and ambitionprobably has an identity and
something that they do. And thenyou also sounded like you nearly
adopted identity as a say, adisabled person early on, and
then was able to almost dump orpark that identity and redefine
(27:15):
it again. What What was thatprocess like? Like, how did you
how did you sort of not attachedto an identity and actually go
in a different direction?
I think you know, with myaccident, and what happened to
me and what I did before, Ifound it very hard to go back to
my old life. Because I couldn'tI did write again. By the way, I
was back on a horse 12 weeksafter my accident. And everyone
(27:36):
was saying to me, that must beamazing to be back on but it
wasn't because I still felt likethe same person. So two thirds
of my body didn't work. But Ifelt I still wanted to jump the
big fences and do the excitingcompetitions, not walk and trot
on a quiet horse. So it didn'tgive me a boost. So that's why
really in everyone in the earlydays of me suggesting still
(27:57):
things clinging on to my oldlife. And I decided I need to do
completely new things because Ihad no comparison to how I would
have done it and and I thinkwhen I did ride, I did a whole
summer of it after I had the2012 Paralympic selectors come
and see me about possibly aimingfor that give me a goal, which I
appreciated, but I knew itwasn't really for me because it
(28:17):
was never it would never compareto what I did, where it was the
things and the direction I'vegone I've been totally new to
me. So learning to fly riding amotorbike none of these things I
did before maps then. And I alsolove the sports that I've chosen
because I can go and do it withanyone really family, I go
skiing and I'm with my girls andmy husband and my mum and dad.
(28:39):
And the same you know you go toa airfield and just round
everyone it's not I don't haveto be held back because of my
disability. Same on the trackday, mainly men able bodied bit
Velcro, my knee toe clip and agear shifter. Once a mountain
track you wouldn't know asparalysed. So I love the fact
(29:00):
that I don't feel like it holdsme back. Or I feel like I have
to do it with everyone with aninjury. I can be out there with
everyone else. And for me somepeople love doing the wheelchair
sports and that's right forthem. I love the fact that I'm
just out there. My My disabilityis really not part of what I do.
I have to do it differently withhand controls and adaptions. But
(29:22):
you wouldn't know from thesports I do.
How's the how's the flyinggoing? I'm kind of intrigued to
understand how that works in howit's going for you.
Yeah, so a little bit differentto you. I fly a little flexing
microlight. I haven't adapted.
So I have a throttle on the bar,control bar. And then what you
normally do that with your feet,and the same with the steering
(29:43):
and the brake is on my otherhand, so sometimes I feel like I
need a third arm and hands. Youknow, I haven't done it any
other way. So just is my normal.
And yeah, I started that justbefore COVID and lockdown so
it's been on and off learningfor Live big breaks. But I
finally got my licence inJanuary last year. Although it's
(30:05):
a restricted licence, I've gotto cross country flights to do
which I'm should do any timesoon been clocking up my solo
hours. And yeah, you know, ittakes me about really like when
I when I think like Londonmarathon a lot of the things I
do is literally step by step. SoI remember being with my
instructor three or four lessonsin looking down from like, three
(30:28):
and a half 1000 feet, thinking Inever want to be up here on my
own and all this radio stuff.
And it all seems so daunting.
But of course I didn't at thatpoint. But then when you put a
lesson attached to a lessonlesson, finally comes that day
way says right, I'm getting outtoday you're on your own and,
and that's I think one thing I'dsay is, we can so often put
ourselves off from thinking sofar ahead too early, I got my
(30:51):
goal of getting my licence, butthen just break it down. And
just don't keep thinking of thatjust enjoy the process of
learning, because that's howit's been with all of them. You
know, once I couldn't, I keptfalling off the motorbike. But
if I stuck with it, I got goodenough to get my race licence, I
could get out on the track dayand, and that's been the aim.
And it's all to raise money,really. So my fly and I've got
(31:13):
logos all over my flying suitthat companies and personal
donations, and I've raisedaround 14,000 pounds so far. And
also, it's actually my wholepackage of learning to fly was
bought by someone what listenedto me speaking at an event. So
I've been very, very lucky likethat. And then but I like to use
it to help others in the future.
Amazing. And yeah, I think goingback to that flying analogy,
(31:35):
it's quite easy, because youhave such a defined lesson plan
that you don't get too farahead, because you're just
focusing on what am I learningabout this week X, Y, and Zed
and it's kind of quite defined,whereas I guess a lot of people
they have a vision, but thenthey have no clear path to get
there. And it feels quiteoverwhelming a lot of the time.
And I love your idea of sort ofchunking it down into really,
(31:56):
really small bits and justchipping away.
Exactly, there's like that inthe London Marathon, I could
always get to the next lamppostand never look too far, you can
always get there. And it's justthe same, you know, and all
those lampposts put together,you get to your finish line and,
and that's what it was like withthe fly in, in those. To be
honest with something like thatI didn't want him to send me
solo before he really was 110%or so I was never Richins I
(32:20):
never got to the point whenthinking how much longer have I
got to do this? Because, youknow, safety comes first with
all of these things, and, andnot how quickly I can do it. And
I haven't done it in thequickest number of hours. And
people say how many hours did ittake to qualify? You know, to
me, that's not really doesn'tmatter. I couldn't care less if
it in 40 hours or 120, you getto the same point. And that's
(32:42):
the thing not to let that betheir big focus. It doesn't
matter the end of the day, youqualify as a pilot, whether you
do it in 40 hours or 120.
I always think you're neverready for your next flight as
well. And when I when I say thatto people, what I mean is that
when they send you solo, forinstance, you never feel like
you're ready for that solo. Youjust you look over when they
(33:03):
tell you to take off and you'rejust like what, why am I going
up on my own? I don't know whatI'm doing. And then you just
follow the process step by stepby step until you land again.
And then by the time you'vefinished it, that's when you're
ready. Exactly.
So true. It's so true. Even nowlive in climate and still very
inexperienced. But I'm up then Ithink how am I actually appeal
my own? Yeah, you look up hereon my own. It's nothing short of
(33:28):
a miracle. But yeah, that isit's just a learning thing. And
you know, if you're willing tostick with it, and there will be
days where you don't performquite as well. I learned that
with horses, it doesn't go toplan. One minute with horses you
win in next minute. You're onyour backside. No, it isn't.
It's about that when it doesn'tgo to plan and that's is that
stickability and dedication anddiscipline that can get you to
(33:51):
where you want to be not givingup.
Yeah, I love that. And you'veachieved some utterly incredible
things. You've talked aboutflying and like the London
Marathon you've raised 1000s of1000s for charity as well. I
know that you also met yourhusband after your accident had
to I'm guessing beautiful kidsjust improvising on that one but
and receive received an MBE forall the amazing work you've done
(34:13):
and the rich life that you'veyou've lived that allowed others
to live? I'm kind of intriguedto understand. Would you still
take back the accident? Now ifyou could,
I wouldn't change my life oranything. Because a it's taught
me a hell of a lot. It's taughtme what's important in life. I
probably wouldn't have met Dan,because I wouldn't have been
strapped into a standing frameboard and signed on for an inch.
(34:36):
I would have been invented so Iwouldn't have amazing clothing
in my life. So why would Ichange it back if I could and
also I wouldn't have done thethings that I've done. I would I
would never know what I wouldhave done. But there's good
chance I'd have still beenriding horses. I loved it. I
wouldn't change it for theworld. I did it but it no I was
(34:58):
forced to try different thingsand, and I think still learning
new things is so good for you,when you're old, your kids go
off to all these clubs and theyalways try new things. And you
do when you're younger. And it'svery easy to get set in your
ways. As you get older, youthink like, this is my job.
These are my hobbies and not trynew things. And I've been forced
into having an open mind andtrying things that I'd never
(35:18):
considered. So did I have anyburning desire to be a pilot?
Absolutely not. Did I want toride motorbikes? Absolutely not,
you know, I wanted to ridehorses. That's all I could have
thought of right up to myaccident, and for a few few
months after, but if I was goingto move forward, I had to have
an open mind and be willing totry things. And in I found that
I love loads of things. Sosometimes we can be quite
(35:40):
closed. And and you know, it's abig world out there. There's so
much you can do. And no, Iwouldn't change my life back.
Because because it closed a lotof doors. Yes, it was hard. It
was heartbreaking. But it'sopened even more.
Yeah, well, it sounds likeyou've opened even more. And
it's definitely a consciousdecision at some stage, what
have you got going on next,what's what's next for you to
(36:01):
conquer.
I am supposed to be doing a lapof the Northwest 200, which is a
close race in Northern Ireland.
And it's such an amazingopportunity. I'm so excited.
It's in May. However, last week,I was just about to go on the
stage at an event that half anhour before it's due to speak.
And this I got this slide on myPowerPoint of the Northwest. And
I saw someone attack me onTwitter. And all the Northern
(36:24):
Ireland road races have beencancelled, because the insurance
prices have gone upconsiderably. So I got went and
asked, can you take that slideout, because I don't know what's
happened. Since then, they'veannounced it's not cancelled
yet. It's 5050 chance. So I'mreally hoping it goes ahead, I
will be absolutely petrified onthe day. I've never ridden on a
(36:46):
road, you know, you've got curbstrees, you know, like with
trees, and people around you. Sototally different. You got bumps
on the track, it's muchsmoother. So I think a bit about
karma been that they would begood too. So I'm hoping that
happens, because I think it'd bea brilliant fundraiser. Thornton
push me myself out the comfortzone and something I could just
(37:07):
never do, unless it's at a loadlate at night, and they invite
me to do it. So the opportunityis there, the organisers have
been brilliant, trying the bestfor it to go ahead. So fingers
crossed, I think we're here inthe next week or two
fingers crossed, I'm definitelygoing to be keeping my eyes open
for that one. And I'm sureyou'll have a contingency plan.
If that fails,there's one thing that horses do
(37:28):
is, you know, you're never thento leave the stock box or enter
the arena with a horse, they cango lame at the last minute. So,
you know, I've had that in mylife before my accident that,
you know, it teaches you how todeal with disappointment. So
we'll be disappointed. But youhave to find a plan b Don't use
that's what I'll do. Buteverything's crossed.
(37:52):
Amazing. Before we go, Claire,we do have some quickfire
questions for you. The first oneis one piece of advice you would
tell your younger self beforestarting out,
you know if life doesn't go toplan, which it won't at some
point for everyone. There'salways another route, there's
always another path and anotheropportunity. So make sure you
find thatone mantra or belief that has
enabled your high performancelife. I would say to believe in
(38:16):
yourself, no matter whatobstacles you face bumps in the
road, to really believe that youcan get through it. Because your
mindset is everything. And howyou tackle something
amazing. One ingredient or habitthat continues to contribute to
the success that you have themost exercise exercise.
(38:38):
I'd say that the two things thatmake you more productive makes
me healthier mentally,physically. Yes, that's a big
part of my life. And I you know,I'm aware of my upper body not
overusing that I just do a niceamount that keeps me keeps me
well.
And finally, what's your go totune or artists for a tough
training session? Or maybe evenwhat you what you resorted to
(39:01):
when you were doing the LondonMarathon? Was there any any tune
that that helped you through it?
Well, we had such a funsoundtrack when we're doing the
water. I wasn't just Londonmountain I did the Great North
Run in five days Manchestermarathon in nine days. Great
South run all over through thenight and 24 hours. So we've got
a really good soundtrack. Itdoes keep going. So I think The
(39:23):
Proclaimers or what 500 Mileswas played a million times and
kept me walking.
I love that it's going on isgoing on to the performance
hacker soundtrack now as well.
So appreciate that. Having seenthe realities of a super healthy
woman in my mother, who was verystrong willed, very able bodied
and having her life flippedaround and becoming wheelchair
(39:43):
bound. I just want to say thankyou so much for not only
everything you've achieved andyou continue to achieve, I mean
it's absolutely awe inspiring,but also for inspiring, more
than just people that are insimilar situations to you but
inspiring people like me, andthe people that Listen to the
show as well. So thank you somuch for for everything you
continue to do and the energythat you show up in life that as
(40:04):
well because even today, likeyou've probably bounced around
and given off way more energythan I have. So that's
definitely something that I canI can look at you and say thank
you very much for role modellingthe way that you show up in
life.
Thank you so much and it's beenabsolute pleasure to join you,
Scott. Thank you
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