Alix Popham Keynote Speaker

Former Professional Rugby Player with Early Onset Dementia
Grand Slam winner with Wales in 2008
Played in two World Cups (2003 & 2007)

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Alix Popham's Biography

Alix Popham is a speaker who was never afraid to put his body on the line during a successful professional rugby career. Now, he is summoning that character to win the greatest challenge of his life.

He started playing the game aged just four years old and went on to a decorated career representing Newport, Leeds Tykes, Llanelli Scarlets and Brive, as well as winning 33 caps for Wales before retiring aged 30 in 2011.

Almost a decade on in 2020, he was then hit with the hardest blow of his life – receiving a diagnosis of early onset dementia, brought on by the countless shuddering collisions out on the rugby field. This devastating, life-limiting condition would not only derail a young man in his prime, but also change the futures of his wife Mel, and his three daughters Holly, 18yrs, Isobel, 15yrs and Darcey, 4yrs.

Alix Popham has since embarked on a mission as a speaker and advocate to seek a better future for others playing contact sport, launching the charity Head for Change, in 2021, to change the blueprint of contact sport and campaign for improved head injury protocols to make playing sport safer.

He is currently undergoing a pioneering neuro procedure.

Alix Popham fighting for reform in rugby after dementia diagnosis

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Alix and Mel Popham: ‘We turned a tragic situation in our life into something positive’

The Guardian

Alix Popham: I could have given up after dementia diagnosis – but I am ready for my first Ironman

The Telegraph

Comments & Testimonials

Thank you to Alix for his recent talk at Hastings Direct – the team were very inspired by Alix’s enthusiastic and inspirational conversation, which he had clearly aligned to our organisation’s objectives, with lots of positive feedback and a real buzz around the room going on well into the evening. Alix has a very professional support team helping him to customise his presentations and talks and ensure that he is fully prepared and briefed to deliver on the day. We have already recommended Alix to speak at events with other business units internally.

Adam Malcolm, CEO, Hastings Financial Services Ltd

We invited Alix to speak about his condition at the Wales Legal Awards as we felt that his personal reflection on his brain injury would be incredibly powerful…Alix kindly agreed to speak on the night in front of 500 lawyers. It is fair to say you could have heard a pin drop in the room. Alix’s experience told through his own words and in such a public setting was exceptionally moving... What blew us all away was Alix’s eloquence and his ability to relay his story so confidently and , despite the obvious sorrow, with humour and wit. He was statesman like in his delivery. His ability to share his story and his vulnerability in such a public setting in such a cool manner was very powerful. Alix clearly has the knack and skill of public speaking.

Charlotte Leyshon, Owner, Lux Family Law