From an early age, Joey had one dream that stood out above any other, to race his motorbike in the Dakar Rally. A 13 day, 9000km race widely known as the toughest, longest and most dangerous off-road race in the world, a race that has claimed the lives of over... Read more
From an early age, Joey had one dream that stood out above any other, to race his motorbike in the Dakar Rally. A 13 day, 9000km race widely known as the toughest, longest and most dangerous off-road race in the world, a race that has claimed the lives of over 75 people during its 43 year history.
But his dream, along with the rest of his life, was completely shattered in 2007, when during a local race in South Africa he was hit by another biker and amongst other serious injuries, he broke his back, crushing his spinal cord, leaving him completely paralysed from just below his chest. The prognosis was he would never walk or feel his legs again.
Joey suddenly facing a daily struggle of keeping himself together, both physically and mentally made the decision, that he would not only still live a full life, but he would still chase his dream of racing the Dakar Rally. The finish line of that race became the symbol of him beating his injury.
It would take him 10 long years, with numerous challenges, successes and life lessons learnt along the way, until Joey stood as a competitor on the start of the Dakar Rally in Asunción, Paraguay.
Qualifying to race the Dakar Rally was an incredible achievement, but the unimaginable events that he endured through those 9000km across South America tested him far beyond what even he could have imagined. The unforeseen and catastrophic event of his bike being crushed by a two-ton rally car on the second last day, suddenly leaving him stranded, alone and considered out of the race, set the stage for an epic final chapter, you simply couldn’t make up.
Since racing the Dakar, Joey has also gone on to finish the 13 day, 6000km Africa Eco Race from Monaco through North Africa to Dakar, Senegal. He’s ridden and raced his bike through more than 40 countries on six continents and he continues to overcome adversity pushing the limits of both adventure and resilience.
In 2024 he was inducted into the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) Hall of Fame as well as awarded the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation by the National Speakers Association of the USA. Joey is married to his soulmate Meredith, and they are proud parents of four daughters, an extreme adventure in itself.