Polly Williamson

Polly Williamson is a multiple gold-medal winning event rider who suffered a near-fatal brain injury when a horse she was training panicked and kicked her in the head.

Put into an induced coma, Polly woke up 11 days later with major memory problems and needing to learn to talk, walk and coherently think.

After five months of treatment, Polly was able to return home but it was at this point that she experienced issues around her identity, feeling that Polly Williamson was dead. Looking at pictures of herself, she felt there were two different people as her damaged brain now worked in an unknown pattern.

Until the day of the accident, Polly had been in charge of her life, had achieved significant goals, ran a business, had a family and enjoyed a busy social life. All this went in a puff of smoke following the traumatic brain injury.

The loss of identity was the most difficult part of Polly’s long recovery, losing her self-esteem and confidence along with her identity. But she didn’t lack determination, sense of purpose and independence, traits that had served her well prior to her accident.

The decade-long journey back from coma to new normal saw plenty of challenges overcome. Her story is one of pure and relentless determination and is a reminder to anyone that it is always possible to start again, even after the most significant of setbacks.

As a speaker, Polly Williamson shares her inspirational story and leaves audiences with the clear message that we all have an inner strength to overcome adversity and that a new path can be found. A humorous, sincere and heartwarming speaker, Polly is guaranteed to leave a strong impression on all her audiences with a potent reminder of what can be achieved.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book former European champion horse rider and brain injury survivor Polly Williamson for your next event.

Type Of Speaker

Disability Female Speakers Health & Wellbeing International Women's Day Keynote Mental Health Motivational Resilience Speaker Virtual Speakers

More About Polly Williamson

Polly Williamson feels she has had two lives. The first life encompassed her dream of winning 6 European Gold Medals in the sport of Eventing. In addition to her passion, Polly was able to identify and manage risk. In her late teens, she set up and lead a sustainable business. In the saddle, Polly needed to apply the finest judgements, taking risk tempered by experience, and always under the pressure of time.

The second life embraced the need to return from traumatic brain injury. This journey was about recognising change, finding a new identity and working with her altered brain, accepting her ‘neuro diverse’ state. Starting from the depths of despair, she relearnt how to talk, walk, and think. Family and friends played a big part, but it has been the same rugged determination that has underpinned the decade-long journey back from coma.

The common thread in the two lives of Polly Williamson is a determination to succeed, no matter what the obstacles might be.

Her new normal included the simple milestones of completing a half-marathon and penning a book called Where did I go?

Polly Williamson hire former young rider European Champion speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Polly Williamson | Book: Where Did I Go?

In 2017, Polly published her book Where Did I Go? is a powerful yet upbeat account of Polly’s journey to rediscover her identity and rebuild he life after the traumatic accident.

Writing a book was part of Polly’s healing process and a cathartic experience that helped her slowly rediscover the person she was before her accident. It helped her realise that Polly Williamson wasn’t dead after all.

Polly Williamson hire former young rider European Champion speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Polly Williamson | Speaker Topics

Mental Health
Identity
Overcoming brain trauma
Determination
Resilience
Overcoming obstacles
Fighting back from injury
Neuro diverse
International sport

Why Book Polly Williamson?

In the business world, Polly Williamson brings a fresh perspective that contrasts overt success with hidden challenge. Overcoming a traumatic brain injury, Polly is in a unique position and talks of the hidden depths the neuro diverse do offer. Her presentations are delivered with warmth and humour, reaching out to those who seek to lead, manage, and join a workforce where life has not always been straightforward. If you set your mind to it, nothing is impossible.

Diversity in all its forms is of great value. Polly identifies that to a business nothing can be more important than people thinking differently – cognitive diversity – brain patterns that don’t always conform. The ability to encourage new and unfettered thinking can make any business or organisation great. The neuro diverse mind, be it autism, ADHD, or trauma like Polly’s must have something to offer in this equation. Polly helps businesses see that there may be challenges but great potential too.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book former European champion horse rider and brain injury survivor Polly Williamson for your next event.

Testimonials

If you have the opportunity to attend one of Polly’s talks, I would definitely recommend going! It was inspiring and thought-provoking. – Ben: Private wealth solicitor

Her inspiring story really shows what you can achieve with resilience, determination, and the right support. Her journey has been quite incredible, and I am awestruck every time I see her. – Business Development Manager, Clarke Willmott.

We invited Polly Williamson to speak at our ‘Business Brain’ event in London in April 2024. The audience was a wide range of executives from the Financial World. Polly used her personal experiences to talk about Resilience and building confidence. She took questions both during and after her excellent slide-supported presentation. Polly fully engaged the audience throughout and received rave reviews. This was primarily because of her ability to relate to real business issues and challenges that people face every day, drawing from her journey having suffered a life-changing accident. Her advice was clear, practical and hard-hitting. I would recommend her wholeheartedly as a speaker at any event. – James Patrick – Director, Templar Advisors

An email to say how amazing your talk at Badminton in the Albert Goodman and Clarke Willmott tent was yesterday, listening to talk about your accident, family dynamic and how you managed to overcome against all adversities was amazing. – Stephanie Christensen BSc, Fisher German LLP

Thank you for attending our International Women’s Day at NatWest today. Like many others in the room, I found your talk inspiring. It highlighted what you can achieve with a determined and resilient mindset. I wish you all the very best with your next challenge. – Malcolm Bennett – Director, NatWest

Honest, heartfelt, motivating and uplifting. Fantastic event! – Lauren Morrison – Head of Business Management, Corporate and Commercial Coverage

A truly inspirational woman, Polly’s resilience and sheer determination to regain her identity left us in no doubt that any adversity can be overcome by having a positive mindset and never giving up! I thoroughly recommend Polly as a speaker, she is professional and her warm personality when engaging with the audience really made our event extra special and memorable. Thank you Polly. – Kerry Hake – Events Manager, Albert Goodman Accountants

Everyone felt it was a safe space to discuss their own, as well as open up so freely to discuss things – that is something you made so special and I know we will want to more of these and not just for women! – Janine Thorne CCIBS – NatWest

Polly, thank you for joining us. Your determination, resilience and courage were truly inspirational for myself and the team. We all left with a quiet thoughtfulness and conversations have continued beyond our event. – Melanie Hannay – NatWest Regional Director

Polly’s engaging account of her story told with great conviction; she makes all things seem possible with the right mindset and determination and her lack of any self-pity sharpens the listeners’ focus on what is possible rather than what is hard to achieve. I highly recommend Polly as a speaker. – Mrs Emma McKendrick. Headmistress Downe School

I learnt so much and the most amazing thing about Polly she delivered something she went through with so much warmth and humour. Thank you so much Polly for sharing your story, for inspiring us all and reminding us to be so grateful for everything we have. – Charlotte: Aviva Director