Stef Reid

Stef Reid has spent her life breaking boundaries and pursuing high performance. She is a world champion (2017), a 4-time Paralympian, a triple Paralympic medallist (2008, 2012, 2016), and a five-time world record holder. Reid holds an honours degree in biochemistry, and beyond the track, she works as a keynote speaker, broadcaster, executive coach, actor, and fashion model. Reid was the first amputee to walk the London Fashion Week catwalk. She competed in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics and took part in the British reality show "Dancing on Ice" 2022, reaching the quarter-finals and demonstrating adaptability and resilience.

Reid was born in New Zealand to a Scottish father and English mother, grew up in Toronto, and moved to Dallas, Texas with her Canadian husband before settling back in the UK in 2010. Her talent and passion for sport were evident early on, and at 12, she dreamed of playing rugby on the world stage. At 15, Reid was involved in a boating accident that resulted in severe propeller lacerations. Her life was saved, but her right foot was damaged beyond repair and amputated. This pivotal moment shifted Reid's focus from sports to academics, where she excelled as valedictorian and earned a full academic scholarship to Queen’s University in Canada to study biochemistry. While at Queen’s, Reid joined the university athletics team to explore her capabilities despite her injury. After graduating, she put her plans of attending medical school on hold to pursue a professional athletic career.

After announcing her retirement from elite sports in June 2022, Reid has dedicated herself to motivating others. She serves as Vice President for The Leprosy Mission UK and continues to deliver impactful keynote speeches on resilience, goal-setting, and embracing diversity to foster a culture of innovation and peak performance. Reid's message of overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness resonates deeply with her audiences, as showcased in her TEDxLondonWomen talk titled "Why accessible design is for everyone." Reid's journey illustrates her commitment to helping individuals and teams realize their potential and achieve high performance in various aspects of life.