In this episode of the Connected Leadership podcast Olympic mini-series, Andy Lopata welcomes Aaron Phipps, MBE. Aaron is a Great Britain wheelchair rugby athlete and Paralympic gold medalist. After losing his legs and most of his fingers to meningitis at age 15, Aaron began his athletic journey with a 10-kilometre fundraising wheelchair race. He competed in two London Marathons, finishing fourth in 2009. Joining the GB Wheelchair Rugby squad, he scored over half of his team’s points at the 2012 London Paralympics. In 2016, Aaron climbed Mount Kilimanjaro using a specially adapted off-road wheelchair to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation and the Shaw Trust. 

Aaron shares his experiences with the Paralympic Games, describing the intense anticipation leading up to the event and the feeling of reality setting in as the games begin. He compares the build-up to a giant island looming on the horizon, with athletes approaching it in their “little boats.” Aaron explains how athletes reach peak fitness and then focus on rest and recovery in the weeks leading up to the games. He highlights the importance of managing energy levels and avoiding injuries during this crucial time.

Aaron recounts his life-changing experience with meningococcal septicaemia at the age of 15, detailing the rapid progression of the illness and the resulting amputations. He emphasises the importance of resilience and the critical role played by medical professionals in his recovery.

Recovering from the amputations and a year in hospital, Aaron acknowledges the challenges of feeling self-conscious and navigating social interactions. But he emphasises the support of his parents and friends in helping him adapt and live a normal life.

His illness had a great impact on his outlook on life. He acknowledges that nearly dying gave him a profound perspective on mortality and made him more appreciative of the simple things in life. He highlights the importance of gratitude and positivity in overcoming challenges.

Andy and Aaron discuss his journey into wheelchair rugby, which he describes as a “real leveller” and a transformative experience. He recounts how seeing other athletes with even more severe disabilities inspired him to push his own limits and embrace his potential.

Aaron emphasises the importance of giving back to others and using his platform to inspire those facing similar challenges. He shares stories about mentoring young athletes and connecting with people who have been impacted by life-changing illnesses.

Aaron credits the London 2012 Paralympics with shifting public perceptions of disability. He highlights the impact of Channel 4’s “Superhumans” campaign and the satirical comedy show “The Last Leg” on normalising disability and promoting inclusivity.

Aaron concludes by encouraging listeners to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. He emphasises the importance of living life to the fullest and creating lasting memories. Listeners are encouraged to check out videos of Aaron Kilimanjaro’s climb and his appearance in the latest Channel 4 “Superhumans” ad on Aaron’s LinkedIn profile.

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Connect with Aaron Phipps: LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Facebook

New Paralympics advert on Channel 4

Superhumans advert

Aaron journey to Mount Kilimanjoro

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Andy Lopata Author, Podcast Host and Speaker on Professional Relationships Strategy

Andy Lopata is a specialist speaker on professional relationships, mentoring, networking, and social media strategy. He is a firm believer that professional relationships underpin our success in business, our roles, and our careers. The right relationships with the right people can lead to new business opportunities, investment, collaborative working, innovation, and career progress. We just need to be comfortable approaching those relationships strategically, without making people feel ‘networked’ by us.

Andy has worked in the field of networking and professional relationships for 25 years, working with global giants such as Paypal, GSK, AstraZeneca, Wella, HSBC, Wembley Stadium, the BBC, and the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE, among many others during that time. He has also worked with leading universities including NYU, Duke University, and Oxford University’s Said Business School.

A regular blogger for Psychology Today, Andy has been quoted in The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, as well as many other national and regional newspapers and magazines worldwide. He has written or co-authored six books on networking and professional relationships, with his sixth book, "The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring," being published in Spring 2024. He is also the host of The Connected Leadership Podcast and has interviewed globally recognized names in business, academia, sports, and entertainment for the show.

Andy has been inducted into the PSAE Hall of Fame – the Professional Speaking Association Award of Excellence, which was held by only 21 other speakers at the time it was presented. He is a Fellow and a former President of the Fellows’ Community of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA), a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), and a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and the Meetings Industry Association.