Michael McGrath MBE

Inspiring audiences across both corporate and public sectors, Michael’s greatest power is his emotional and intellectual force in connecting with audiences, influencing behaviours and moving people to a place of action. In today’s increasingly uncertain and complex landscape, Michael not only offers compelling insights and learning tips to audiences around living with uncertainty, but the words of his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton ring true now more so today than at any other time “Difficulties are just things to overcome”.

“Michael McGRATH is a phenomenon. He shares lessons in leadership, lessons in handling change and lessons in life, introducing audiences to the possibility of thinking and acting differently” – SOURCE: Sir Kenneth Branagh

At just 18yrs, Michael was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy (MD), a degenerative muscle wasting disease. Years later, Michael made history by becoming the first disabled person to lead expeditions to both the North (April 2002) and the South Poles (Jan 2004). His adopted life credo from his old school alma mater ‘Quant Je Puis’, meaning ‘As Much As I Can’, provides the fuel for this versatile speaker whose natural style, tone, pace and voice underpins his ability to connect deeply with his audiences.

Delivering bespoke keynote presentations, laced with powerful learning’s and anecdotes drawn through the lens of Michael’s life, he shares compelling lessons and insights from his polar achievements that move audiences to not only reflect but also to take action. Named as one of Britain’s most influential disabled people, Michael’s MBE award was first announced last June in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List, the first Honours List since the King’s Coronation. He received his MBE in June 20243 in recognition for Charitable Services to People with Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

Affectionately known as the Chief Muscle Warrior, Michael is the founder and CEO of multi award-winning national charity The Muscle Help Foundation that delivers transformational Muscle Dream interventions in the UK for children and young people with Muscular Dystrophy. 2024/25 is a key milestone as the charity celebrates 21 years of changing lives and 21 years of giving hope.