Karen Darke Keynote Speaker

Karen Darke could be described as a modern-day ‘Alchemist’: a learning & development specialist turned mindset- heartset coach, explorer, athlete, speaker and author. Karen’s purpose is about helping individuals and organisations ‘Find Inner Gold’: turning challenge into opportunity, turning ‘lead’ into ‘gold’.

“Ability is a state of mind…” is Karen’s philosophy. Speaking about mindset, positive psychology, growth through challenge and how to optimise potential and flourish, Karen gives valuable insights, “To have our best impact on the ‘outside’ involves mindful work on the ‘inside’.” Her direct experiences combined with unique studies of mind, resilience and performance give Karen abilities to help others overcome challenge, perform sustainably, embrace a growth mindset, positively impact emotions, presence and wellbeing.

Karen started out as a geologist researching gold in the Bolivian Andes, but a life-changing accident that left her paralysed led her away from being a ‘rock-doctor’ to winning Paralympic gold in the sport of hand-cycling in Rio 2016. An explorer at heart, she has navigated the challenge of paralysis but in extreme ways, cycling across 7 continents, a triple Guinness World Record holder for landspeed by armpower, climbing El Capitan with her arms, and skiing to create the Pole of Possibility in Antarctica,. She is ‘Explorer in Residence’ for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Karen’s work is grounded in the belief that when we step out of our ‘normal’ and go beyond our comfort zone, and take time to pause and notice what is within and around us, we always discover something new and special. We find INNER GOLD: more connection, peace and purpose from within. We enhance our own happiness, our own agency and impact, and spread positive waves to all those whose lives we touch.