Sally Gunnell

Biography

Sally Gunnell OBE; the Farmers girl who captured the hearts of a nation. She remains the only woman ever to hold four major track titles concurrently – Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth. Since retiring from international athletics, Sally developed a new career path as a keynote speaker and wellbeing advocate.

Sally’s rise to the pinnacle of her sport was hard won. She blew the chance to be World Champion in 1991, stormed back to win Olympic Gold in 1992 and defied incredible odds to become World Champion in 1993, setting a new World Record in the process. She contended with injuries, athletes that she saw as more naturally gifted and, a relatively modest support infrastructure compared to her peers.
Her success, by her own admission, was down to a firm grip over her own mind and a lot of very hard graft.

“Raw talent is no substitute for single mindedness and hard graft”

Sally remains a towering figure in British athletics.  She has more than 15 years’ experience in addressing a wide variety of corporate audiences.  She has covered global conferences of thousands and senior leadership teams of just 6.  Her natural, easy-going style belies her relentless focus on achieving and sustaining excellence.

Sally effortlessly weaves the secrets of sporting achievement with the valuable components that underpin success in business.  Her key themes hold resonance for senior decision-makers and junior staff alike.  No corporate speaks, no clever-sounding management models.  Just tried-and-tested solutions and techniques that took a farmer’s daughter from the hay bales of Essex to the winner’s podium at the Barcelona Olympics.

Sally’s honest, down-to-earth approach has won her many admirers over the years.  She has written four books and her latest gets right under the skin of what makes a successful, fulfilled person.  For the first time, she brings together in one place all the themes that have brought success in her sporting, business and family lives.  ’10 hurdles for life ‘is for anyone who knows they have something to accomplish in life and is focused on enabling it to happen. The only limit is our imagination, understand this and the game of life becomes more fun and less hard work.