Victoria Pendleton

Recognised as the face of British cycling, former Gold medallist Olympian, Victoria Pendleton has since gone on to become a highly accomplished jockey and adventurer. Achieving peak performance in each challenge she undertakes, has led to the world-class athlete suffering a negative effect on her mental health, an experience Victoria has been publicly open about in a bid to tackle the stigma. For an honest and inspiring discussion, Victoria is the ideal prominent figure to act as a role model to others going through similar experiences.

Best known for her history making cycling feats, Victoria’s contributions to the Team GB trophy cabinet are remarkable and helped to place Britain on the map, in the sport. Achieving the Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Victoria proved herself an impressive sprinter, a feat she replicated at the London 2012 Games when she earned silver in the same event. A truly versatile and phenomenal athlete, Victoria has also won Gold in 2012 in the keirin. Not only gaining the title of one of Britain’s most impressive female Olympians but also most successful cyclists ever, Victoria has nine world titles to her name too.

Awarded a CBE in 2013 for her services to cycling, Victoria has captured the heart of the nation with her incredible career and down to earth nature. Having been honour I the European Cycling Union Hall of Fame and being named the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year 2007, the first cyclist in history, Victoria retired and took up adventuring and horse riding.

With a career and achievements most people can only dream of, no one expected that Victoria was secretly dealing with the biggest challenge of her life; a mental health crisis. Suffering through a divorce, and post-cycling blues, Victoria became depressed, however, with the support of her family, Victoria now uses her platform to share her personal journey in a bid to help others, a topic she covers as a speaker.