Polly Williamson is a multiple gold-medal-winning event rider whose life took a dramatic turn after suffering a near-fatal brain injury when a horse she was training panicked and kicked her in the head. Despite the immense challenges that followed, Polly has transformed her experience into an inspiring story of resilience, mental strength, and personal reinvention. From an early age, Polly displayed exceptional equestrian talent. At just 18 years old, she was selected for her first European Championships, where she won double gold. Her success continued as she secured a further four European gold medals, two National titles, and competed across Europe and Australia. Polly also took on the thrilling challenge of a celebrity race around Aintree, jumping the original Becher’s Brook. Beyond her competitive achievements, she established a thriving equestrian business, producing horses for the international market and training elite riders across Great Britain and Europe. Her career was further bolstered by securing sponsorship deals with high-profile global companies.
However, in 2011, Polly’s life was irreversibly altered when she sustained a traumatic brain injury. Forced to close her successful business and faced with the devastating impact on her family life, she struggled with a profound loss of identity. Damaged brain pathways led to a crisis of self-esteem and confidence, requiring extraordinary resilience and determination to rebuild her life.
Her decade-long journey from coma to a full and meaningful existence was fraught with obstacles, but Polly met them head-on. She had to relearn how to talk, walk, and think coherently, all while redefining who she was. Drawing on the same drive that fuelled her equestrian success, she embraced the challenge of working with her altered brain, ultimately finding strength in her differences rather than fighting against them.
Polly now enjoys a successful career as a motivational speaker, captivating audiences with her powerful and deeply personal story. She speaks candidly about the strategies she used to recover, the public’s varied reactions to mental health challenges, and how she discovered a renewed sense of purpose.
Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and serves as an inspiring reminder that it is always possible to start anew, even after life’s most significant setbacks. A published author, Polly shares her journey in her book ‘Where Did I Go?: Rediscovering My Identity, Lost After a Traumatic Brain Injury’, offering readers an intimate, insightful, and often humorous account of her experiences.
Passionate about giving back, she has volunteered with Barnardo’s to support young children and weekly volunteers for The Riding for the Disabled Association. She is also a frequent speaker for the charity Headway, advocating for those facing similar challenges.
Polly Williamson is a dynamic and engaging speaker who leaves audiences with a profound message: resilience is within all of us, and embracing change can lead to new and fulfilling paths. Her warmth, humour, and sincerity make her a standout presence at any event.
Whether speaking to corporate leaders, students, or individuals facing adversity, Polly delivers an unforgettable experience that inspires people to harness their inner strength and redefine success on their own terms.