Karen Darke, Ph.D.

Transformational Coach, Silver and Gold Medalist - Paralympics

Karen can be described as a modern-day ‘Alchemist’ — a keynote speaker, learning and development specialist turned mindset-heartset coach, ‘explorer in residence’ with the Scottish Royal Geographical Society, athlete, author and leader of transformational journeys. Karen’s purpose is about helping individuals and organisations ‘Find Inner Gold’ — turning challenge into opportunity.

A Paralympic gold and silver medalist in the sport of handcycling, Karen is also a multiple Guinness World Record holder and regularly leads projects to inspire possibility thinking and what can be enabled with positive mindset, collaboration, connection and technology. From skiing across icecaps to kayak journeys at extreme latitudes and hand-cycle treks in the world’s biggest mountain ranges, Karen is a passionate advocate for the value of nature and the power of an ‘adventure mindset’ for everyday life. These experiences combined with her unique studies of mind, resilience and performance have led to Karen helping people spiral into positivity and possibility, embracing all of life’s experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. Karen has extensively studied what goes on ‘inside’ — the power of the mind and language to positively impact emotions; resultantly improving presence, performance and wellbeing.