Building Resilience: What We Can Learn from Paralympian Jack Hunter-Spivey

In the face of adversity, how do we keep going? How do we stay motivated when life throws challenge after challenge our way? Mental resilience is so important — both in personal life and in the workplace — and there’s much to learn from individuals who’ve faced overwhelming obstacles and found a way through.

One such individual is Jack Hunter-Spivey, a Paralympic table tennis player born with cerebral palsy. Jack was blind and deaf until nine months old. He grew up on a council estate in Liverpool, faced rejection, battled suicidal thoughts, and still went on to achieve his dream of representing Great Britain on the global stage.

Jack’s story is a real-life example of what psychologists call grit: the combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Talent may open doors, but grit is what keeps them open. As a Motivational Speaker, Jack doesn’t just talk about medals. He talks about mindset. About pushing through self-doubt, dealing with failure, and building confidence even when the odds are against you.

When London secured the Olympic and Paralympic bid in 2005, Jack was 10 years old and already dreaming of a place on Team GB. He trained relentlessly, only to narrowly miss out on competing at London 2012. For many, that would have been the end of the road. For Jack, it was just the beginning. He made his Paralympic debut in Rio 2016, and went on to win bronze in Tokyo 2020, beating the world number two and three players in the process.

Jack’s story is especially powerful for schools, workplaces, and organisations trying to foster a culture of resilience, wellbeing, and performance under pressure. His talks are filled with practical takeaways:

• How to keep moving forward when you’ve hit rock bottom
• The importance of routine, self-belief and support networks
• Mental health tools that helped him manage anxiety and depression
• How failure can fuel future success

Whether he’s speaking to students, business leaders or sports teams, Jack leaves his audience with a simple, enduring message: Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how far away they feel.

If you’re looking for a motivational speaker who speaks with honesty, humour and heart, Jack Hunter-Spivey is a powerful choice. His story is a perfect reminder that resilience isn’t just for athletes, it’s a skill we can all develop.

To enquire about booking Jack Hunter-Spivey to speak at your event, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com