Karen Darke

Karen Darke, MBE, FRSGS, is a British paralympic cyclist, paratriathlete, adventurer, author, and motivational speaker.1 Born on June 25, 1971, she became paralyzed from the chest down at age 21 due to a sea cliff climbing accident.1 Despite this, Darke has achieved remarkable feats in sports and adventure.

As a paralympic athlete, Darke won a gold medal in the Women's road time trial at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and a silver medal in the same event at the 2012 London Paralympics.1 She has also competed in paratriathlon, winning world championships in 2012 and 2013.1

Darke became a B. Braun ambassador in 2010.2 As part of her role, she delivers motivational talks, writes blogs, and participates in various events for the company.3 B. Braun has been sponsoring Darke since 2010, supporting her ongoing challenges and adventures.4

Beyond her athletic achievements, Darke is an accomplished adventurer, having hand-cycled across the Himalayas, sea kayaked from Canada to Alaska, and crossed Greenland's ice cap.1 She is also an author, having written three books: "If You Fall" (2006), "Boundless" (2012), and "Quest 79: Find your inner gold" (2017).1

Darke holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in geology from the University of Aberdeen and an MA in development training from the University of Cumbria.1 She has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from several universities.1

Currently, Darke works as a keynote speaker and transformational coach, focusing on inner transformation and helping individuals find their 'Inner Gold'. She is also the Director and Owner of Inspire Impact, a position she has held since 2008.5