David Smith

David Smith MBE is a British Paralympic athlete, speaker, and coach.12 Born on April 21, 1978, in Dunfermline, Scotland, he has competed internationally in multiple sports, including rowing, bobsleigh, and cycling.15 Smith won a gold medal in rowing at the 2012 London Paralympics.12

Smith's athletic career has been marked by significant challenges. He was born with a club foot and underwent multiple surgeries as a child.1 In 2010, he was diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumor in his neck, which led to paralysis on his left side after complications from surgery.3

Despite these setbacks, Smith has shown remarkable resilience. He is a Nike athlete and ambassador for resilience, known for his unwavering mindset that there is "no finish line" in life.26 He embraces Stoicism and positive psychology, living by the mantra "Be where your feet are".2

As a speaker and coach, Smith focuses on helping individuals and teams achieve peak performance and navigate challenges.2 He has over 25 years of experience in high-performance sport and is particularly interested in performance psychology.4

Smith is also an advocate for mental health and personal development. He shares his experiences and insights through various media, including columns in the Herald, a BBC documentary titled "Dead Man Cycling," and his social media presence.2