ROBERT

Skater

"I choose to see my disability as an advantage."

We all have insecurities, fears or self-doubts. Meet Robert, a skater born with Sacral Agenesis, which stunted the growth of his legs. This hasn’t stopped him from pushing his limits, both on and off the board.

He used his first skateboard as a means of transport, and fell hard for the sport. “When I’m doing sports is when I really get to be myself.” Robert is proof that you can do anything you dream of. He lives beyond the ordinary, choosing to see his disability as an advantage.

LYA

Drummer

"The challenge of constantly being told ‘NO’ made me believe I can because – why not?"

Challenge the doubters. Challenge society. Lya, a professional drummer from Venezuela, is fueled by the desire to prove people wrong. To be different. To follow her dreams. Growing up she was constantly inspired to do the opposite of what society’s expectations of her as a woman. Lya has played as a session musician for countless famous bands, as well as a live performer at leading venues like Ronnie Scott’s and festivals such as Glastonbury. Proof that when you believe you can, you can, Lya uses hearing ‘NO’ all the time to say ‘Why not? Watch me!”

FERNANDA

Dancer

"Embrace your own power, knowing that dance is for everyBODY."

There’s absolutely no stopping Fernanda. At the young age of 16 she began offering dance classes in Brazil to support her family whilst studying in the evening. This incredible mother of three now lives in the UK, where she is committed to challenging and changing stereotypes. “Thin bodies in dance are the default. I’ve had to learn to validate myself and am here to prove to aspiring dancers of all shapes that it’s ok not to fit the stereotype.”

KHADIJAH

MMA

"I don't want to hear the word, ‘I can't’ because there's nothing you can't do unless you choose not to do it."

The first time that Khadijah stepped into a Muay Thai class she couldn’t walk for the next five days. Fiercely determined to master this male-dominated sport, she now has a black belt in kickboxing and Muay Thai. After choosing to become a Muslim, Khadijah battled to find other women to train with. This inspired her to open the first women’s only martial arts club in the UK.

Today her fight continues both on and off the mat. Passionately committed to challenging and breaking stereotypes, Khadijah is creating platforms for women of all faiths and backgrounds: “I’m focused on creating unity, integration and understanding to ensure a more diverse and inclusive environment for women in sport.”

PATRICK

Weightlifter

"I've been punching above my weight my whole life. I still am now."

Being small in stature doesn't keep Patrick from lifting big weights. He is driven by a voice that tells him he can go further, lift heavier and push beyond what people think is possible. "It's inside your head, that unbelievable belief that you can do this." Patrick is an internationally renowned weightlifter and professional coach. He has always been underestimated, but has never let that stop him from fighting his corner.

JESSE

Climber

"There’s always more to learn. I have targets to achieve, challenges to overcome."

No fear. No limits. Sheer will. Jesse began climbing at the age of 2 with severely impaired sight. Now with almost no sight at all, he’s the first blind rock climber to lead the ascent of the Old Man of Hoy, the focus of Alastair Lee’s award-winning documentary ‘Climbing Blind’ and a lead member of Great Britain’s Paraclimbing team.

He's challenged his body, his limits and his self – proving to the world that when you work towards your goal, you can do it. “I choose a challenge that will stretch me and I work from there, setting up one goal after another, all with the aim of achieving my long-term goals.”