Pete Reed OBE – Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy and three times Olympic Champion

So, how does “an unremarkable pupil” – as described by his P.E. teacher at a parents’ evening – become a triple gold medal Olympic rower?

Pete discovered rowing onboard HMS Exeter of all places and his determination, hard work and resilience took him to the Olympics.

These attributes have served him well, perhaps none more so than right now. Pete recently suffered an unexpected spinal stroke which “almost feels like it’s added fifty years to my life overnight”.

Pete relates his challenges to the hardship that everyone is facing with Covid, “we’re all going through a massive life-changing event” and we can all take inspiration from how he approaches difficulties, “we don’t choose these things, we can choose how to handle it”.

Currently “medically downgraded from work”, we join Pete at “an astonishingly exciting time”, having just heard that the Royal Navy, despite the severity of his physical condition, has decided to “retain him in Service” and he awaits his first assignment. 

 As Pete’s coach used to say to him, “Never, never give up”.

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This podcast is supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

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