Our founder John Willis gives talks exploring how he has overcome barriers throughout his life. John, born without fully formed arms and legs, has not let this stop him. A Cambridge University graduate in law, he practised as a solicitor for 12 years, specialising in property litigation and appearing in front of the judiciary, occasionally with humorous consequences. He led the team that redeveloped the Cambridgeshire village, Papworth Everard, as the CEO of a multi-million pound charity supporting the work of the disability charity, the Papworth Trust. A short stint as a consultant, advising Navigo Health and Social Care CIC on its exit from the NHS, led to becoming chair of the award-winning social enterprise, Provide CIC.
Using videos, gadgets, and demonstrations John personifies the “art of the possible”. He addresses all aspects of daily life – including dressing, eating and driving. The video of his recent challenge JohnsRoad2Rio and the numerous gadgets and prosthetic attachments excite and intrigue, and lead to interesting explorations of the possible.
John demonstrates Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset in action: hard work, learning, training and doggedness can lead to success, and that failure (whether real or perceived) is an opportunity for learning.
John is comfortable speaking to audiences small and large (so far from 4 to over 1,000), in formal and informal settings (grand chapels to living rooms), to young and old, and can adapt the talk to fit the time you have available (from 3 minutes to 2 hours).
If you would like to book John for a talk please click the button.
