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Despite the immense challenges that followed, Polly has transformed her experience into an inspiring story of resilience, mental strength, and personal reinvention, speaking on how she rediscovered her resilience and grit.
From an early age, Polly displayed exceptional equestrian talent. At just 18 years old, she was selected for her first European Championships, where she won double gold. Her success continued as she secured a further four European gold medals, two National titles, and competed across Europe and Australia. Beyond her competitive achievements, she established a thriving equestrian business, producing horses for the international market and training elite riders across Great Britain and Europe. Her career was further bolstered by securing sponsorship deals with high-profile global companies.
However, in 2011, Polly’s life was irreversibly altered when she sustained a traumatic brain injury. Forced to close her successful business and faced with the devastating impact on her family life, she struggled with a profound loss of identity. Damaged brain pathways led to a crisis of self-esteem and confidence, requiring extraordinary resilience and determination to rebuild her life. Her decade-long journey from coma to a full and meaningful existence was fraught with obstacles, but Polly met them head-on. She had to relearn how to talk, walk, and think coherently, all while redefining who she was.
Drawing on the same drive that fuelled her equestrian success, she embraced the challenge of working with her altered brain, ultimately finding strength in her differences rather than fighting against them.
Despite her head injury she remains a clear, articulate and inspiring speaker. With a touch of humour she speaks candidly about the strategies she used to recover and how she discovered a renewed sense of purpose.
Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and serves as an inspiring reminder that it is always possible to start anew, even after life’s most significant setbacks.
A published author, Polly shares her journey in her book ‘Where Did I Go?: Rediscovering My Identity, Lost After a Traumatic Brain Injury’, offering readers an intimate, insightful, and often humorous account of her experiences. Passionate about giving back, she has volunteered with Barnardo’s to support young children and weekly helps at the local Riding for the Disabled Association. She is also a frequent speaker for the charity Headway, advocating for those facing similar challenges.
We are stronger than we think; the tools and strategies we can all use to build resilience and strengthen our perseverance. The importance of goals and the key points used to break down targets and follow success.
