In 1997, Andy Barrow was playing rugby for his local club when he suffered a spinal-cord injury that left him paralysed from the chest down, with limited use of his hands. He was just 17 years old.
Following this catastrophic, life-changing injury and many hard months of rehabilitation, his life was transformed again when he discovered wheelchair rugby – also known as “Murderball” – and joined the London Wheelchair Rugby club.
Andy was selected to train with the Great Britain squad in 1999, and narrowly missed out on a place at the Sydney Paralympics. Vowing never to miss a major tournament again, he dedicated himself to the life of a full-time athlete, and made his international début at the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2002.
His wheelchair rugby career encompassed three Paralympic Games, three World Championships, and five European Championships, where he was part of the record-breaking team that won three gold medals in a row. He captained Great Britain from 2005 to 2010, and led the team out at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics – one of his proudest moments.
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was the greatest sporting event in Great Britain’s history, and the perfect opportunity for Andy to end his career on a high. He took the decision to make this his final tournament, following well over 100 appearances for GB.
Andy Barrow has followed a successful career as an international athlete by building a business as an inspirational speaker and mentor. He is already a full member of the Professional Speaking Association and has become a “Team London” ambassador for whom he regularly speaks and recently delivered to a crowd of 12,000 people at Wembley Arena.
Behind every athlete’s success is the importance of looking after their mind as well as their body. In this honest and supportive talk, our athletes open up about how they manage pressure, deal with setbacks, and stay mentally healthy. Pupils will hear positive, practical advice on looking after their own wellbeing, coping with stress, and the importance of speaking up and supporting each other.
Reaching the top in sport takes more than talent – it requires leadership and performing at your very best when it matters most. In this talk, our athletes share how they prepare to deliver under pressure, lead by example, and bring out the best in themselves and those around them. Pupils will learn how strong leadership, focus, and self-belief can help them achieve their own peak performance in school, sport, and life.
The Paralympic Games are a celebration of determination, talent, and breaking down barriers. In this talk, our Paralympians and para-athletes share their incredible journeys, highlighting the power of resilience, inclusion, and the human spirit. Pupils will hear how these athletes have overcome challenges, changed perceptions, and achieved greatness on the world stage, inspiring everyone to believe in what’s possible.
Having a growth mindset means believing you can improve through effort, learning, and perseverance. In this talk, our athletes explain how this way of thinking has helped them deal with setbacks, learn from mistakes, and keep improving, no matter the odds. Pupils will be encouraged to embrace challenges, stay positive, and understand that hard work and resilience lead to progress in sport and in life.
What does it take to bounce back from disappointment? Our athletes open up about tough moments in their careers, from injuries to defeats, and how resilience helped them keep going. Pupils will learn valuable lessons about never giving up, adapting to change, and staying strong when times get tough.
Sport, like life, is full of unexpected twists and turns. In this talk, our athletes reflect on times they’ve faced change, setbacks, or uncertain futures, from injuries to last-minute selections and global events like the pandemic. Pupils will hear honest, uplifting advice about how to stay calm, positive, and adaptable when life doesn’t go to plan.
What makes a team truly successful? Our athletes reveal the secrets behind high-performing teams, whether it’s a sports squad, a relay team, or a support network behind the scenes. They’ll share how trust, clear roles, good communication, and a shared goal lead to outstanding results. Pupils will learn how these lessons apply not just in sport, but in school groups, projects, and friendships too.
Andy was a brilliant addition to our training, and his speech was at an appropriate level for our Young Leaders. He was relaxed and flexible to last minute changes, and very approachable. He added huge value to what otherwise could have been a rather tedious, information-filled session.
Inspirational Athletes connects schools & communities with elite athletes who inspire, motivate and engage young people through talks, workshops and sports sessions.
Address:
Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 1RD
Phone:
020 7993 2724
Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
