Danny Crates Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerDanny Crates

Paralympic Gold Medalist and TV presenter

Danny Crates is a globally recognised expert in high performance, resilience, and leadership. Drawing from his experience as a Paralympic gold medallist, former world champion and executive coach, Danny delivers actionable strategies that empower organisations and leaders to navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve sustained success.... Read more

Biography

At just 21, Danny faced a life-altering challenge when he lost his right arm in a devastating accident. Refusing to let it define him, he embraced a positive mindset, focused on the future, and made a remarkable return to the rugby field within six months. Soon after, he transitioned into Paralympic sport, where he rapidly ascended to the top—winning bronze in Sydney 2000 then gold in the 800 metres at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and setting a new world record that same year.

His decorated career saw him claim every major title in the sport, including the World Championships, European Championships, and Paralympic World Cup. Two decades on, he still holds the British 400 & 800m record.
Danny’s impact extended beyond competition. He was honoured as Great Britain’s flag bearer at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Opening Ceremony and played a key role as a London 2012 Ambassador, helping bring the Games to the UK.

Since retiring from international athletics, Danny has become a highly sought-after keynote speaker, known for his dynamic stage presence, engaging delivery, and ability to captivate audiences. He has delivered impactful keynotes, leadership sessions, and corporate training worldwide for over 25 years, working with businesses, executives, and teams to elevate their performance.

All of Danny’s keynotes include a complimentary downloadable workbook and the option to include a high-performance workshop alongside the keynote. Ensuring that every delegate can engage with and apply the strategies shared during his presentation. This resource extends the learning beyond the event, equipping attendees with practical tools for long-term high-performance strategies.

"Danny presented to our Young Professionals Business Resource Group in July 2023 and was an outstanding success. His unique experiences with many examples of overcoming adversity and preparing for success all resonated perfectly with the audience. The combination of visuals and videos and his relaxed mix of humour and honesty only add to the power of his message. As chair of the BRG I have received more subsequent messages from members about their enjoyment of Danny’s session than any other we have arranged. I cannot recommend Danny highly enough." Paul Rought, Head of Asset Management Oversight, Nuveen Real Estate
"Danny Crates' presentation at our recent leadership conference was exceptional and left a lasting impact on our team. He masterfully weaved in all the key points regarding fostering a culture of continuous improvement, emphasizing the importance of marginal gains, and inspiring us with his personal story." Cox automotive
"It was a great pleasure to work with Danny Crates.  Danny is a powerful & dynamic presenter who leaves a lasting impression. He inspired the entire team and delivered beyond expected; professional yet relaxed style and also touched people’s hearts. " Grohe
"The content and messaging was extremely relevant to the sales team in the room and an excellent mixture of sentiment and humor, and everyone learnt a lot around motivating themselves, breaking down big goals into easy to manage milestones." Johnson & Johnson
"Danny was brilliant and exactly what the conference required (i.e. a speech that had nothing to do with I.T). Even though his speech didn’t mention I.T. ,  it touched on themes of goal setting, improvement and achievement which were extremely relevant." Ellucian
"I just wanted to say another huge thank you for your contribution to the success of our former partner bash last night – your speech was hugely inspiring and I think you must have spoken to just about every guest by the end of the evening." Deloitte
"Danny worked with us at several of our events providing motivational speaking and an insight into the mind of a Paralympian.  With Danny’s passion, enthusiasm and great stories it is difficult for an audience not to be captivated." Coca Cola
"Danny provided an incredible motivational session, adapted to benefit our colleagues in Europe during a period of change. He emphasised key themes around resilience, teamwork and converting challenges into manageable goals for positive outcomes. Our colleagues appreciated his friendly, open and humorous delivery of highly complex and emotive themes and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. I would recommend Danny if you're looking to reset and refresh your culture." TD Securities
"We had the pleasure of welcoming Danny Crates to share his story at our Disability ERG speaker engagement. Danny tells his story with such warmth, humour, and openness, speaking candidly about the challenges of his journey as a Paralympian. It was a truly engaging and thought-provoking session that left the audience with a deeper appreciation of purpose, resilience, and how that links to performance." Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions
"Danny Crates' presentation at our recent leadership conference was exceptional and left a lasting impact on our team. He masterfully weaved in all the key points regarding fostering a culture of continuous improvement, emphasising the importance of marginal gains, and inspiring us with his personal story." Cox automotive
"Working with Danny at our inaugural Company Conference and Awards Dinner was an absolute delight. From the initial enquiry through to the delivery on the day Danny was 100% aligned to what we were wanting to achieve from his guest speaker session. Through Danny’s own challenges and experiences, it helped to embed our theme around leadership, teamwork and resilience which resonated well with our attendees. Danny took on the role of compere for our Awards Dinner which really helped to elevate the event to one of celebration that all were able to enjoy. Thankyou Danny for being an integral part of our inaugural event." Care Concern Group

Popular Talks by Danny Crates

  • The Resilient Mindset: Thriving in Change and Uncertainty
    In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, resilience is the key to sustained success. In this inspiring keynote, Danny Crates shares powerful insights on how to develop a resilient mindset that allows individuals and teams to adapt, thrive, and excel—no matter what challenges come their way. Drawing from his own journey...
  • The High-Performance Blueprint: Lessons from Elite Sport
    What does it take to consistently perform at the highest level? In this dynamic and engaging keynote, Danny Crates unpacks the fundamental principles of high performance, drawing on his experiences as a Paralympic gold medallist and elite athlete. He reveals how the mindset, discipline, and strategies used in world-class sport...
  • The 5 Pillars of Elite Performance: A Winning Formula for Success
    Success—whether in sport, business, or life—is not built on talent alone. It requires a structured approach, a clear purpose, and the right mindset. In this powerful keynote, Danny Crates shares his 5 Pillars of Performance, a proven framework that has driven him to Paralympic gold and helped countless individuals and...