Heather Fell is a true example of perseverance paying off. A silver medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Heather became just the fourth British woman to win an Olympic medal in modern pentathlon – an extraordinary sport combining swimming, fencing, riding, shooting, and running.
Growing up in rural Devon, Heather’s early years were filled with competitive swimming and horse riding, which naturally led her to tetrathlon, and eventually the full modern pentathlon. Alongside a demanding training schedule, Heather studied physiotherapy at Brunel University, balancing academic rigour with elite sport.
Heather enjoyed early success at junior level, winning two golds and a silver at the 2003 World Junior Championships. However, her journey to Olympic success was anything but easy. After battling injuries and losing her funding in 2006, she had to move back home, juggling three part-time jobs to continue training.
Her resilience shone through, and by 2007 she was back on top, winning medals at both the World Cup and European Championships. These achievements secured her place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she captured silver and finished the year as the World Number One.
Since retiring from competition in 2014, Heather has been passionate about inspiring the next generation. Through her work with programmes such as YST, DKHT and Inspirational Athletes (formerly Sporting Champions), she shares the importance of determination, adaptability and believing in yourself even when the odds are stacked against you.
Heather’s story is perfect for audiences looking for an authentic, uplifting message about bouncing back from setbacks and achieving excellence through perseverance.
The Olympics represents the pinnacle of sport, and our athletes give a behind-the-scenes insight into what it is really like to compete or aim to compete on the world’s biggest stage. They share stories of preparation, pressure, teamwork, and pride, inspiring pupils with lessons about ambition, dedication, and chasing dreams, whatever they may be.
Success in sport and life starts with the right mindset. In this talk, our athletes explore how having a positive, focused, and growth-orientated mindset has helped them face challenges, learn from setbacks, and stay motivated. Pupils will leave inspired to believe in themselves and approach obstacles with confidence.
Every athlete faces tough times, whether it’s injury, defeat, or personal challenges. In this talk, our athletes open up about the adversity they have experienced and how they found the strength to bounce back. Pupils will learn about the importance of resilience, determination, and staying positive in difficult situations. These are valuable lessons they can use in school, sport, and life.
Setbacks are part of life, whether it is a missed goal, a tough exam result, or a personal challenge. In this talk, our athletes share honest stories about times when things did not go to plan and how they managed to bounce back. Pupils will learn how to handle disappointment in a healthy way, build resilience, and stay positive when faced with difficult situations.
Heather proved inspirational to the young people who could easily relate to her.
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.
