More about Ed
More about Ed
On Easter Sunday 2017, Ed dived into the shallow end of a swimming pool and broke his neck. He was 28, a professional rugby player, and now quadriplegic in intensive care. Doctors told him he would probably never walk again.
On Easter Sunday 2017, Ed dived into the shallow end of a swimming pool and broke his neck. He was 28, a professional rugby player, and now quadriplegic in intensive care. Doctors told him he would probably never walk again.
A year later, to the day, he stood on the summit of the highest mountain in Wales.
A year later, to the day, he stood on the summit of the highest mountain in Wales.
The recovery in between was millimetres at a time: a flicker in a big toe, then steps, then miles. The injury left Ed with Brown-Séquard syndrome, which affects movement on one side of his body and sensation on the other. It ended his rugby career at Bath, Wasps, London Welsh and the Dragons. It also, in ways he wouldn’t have chosen but has made count, started everything since.
The recovery in between was millimetres at a time: a flicker in a big toe, then steps, then miles. The injury left Ed with Brown-Séquard syndrome, which affects movement on one side of his body and sensation on the other. It ended his rugby career at Bath, Wasps, London Welsh and the Dragons. It also, in ways he wouldn’t have chosen but has made count, started everything since.
The mountains got bigger. Mera Peak in Nepal at 6,476m. During lockdown, the height of Everest climbed on his parents’ staircase, raising more than £41,000 for charity. In 2022 he attempted Himlung Himal, a 7,126m Himalayan peak, reaching 6,800m and setting a world record for the highest altitude achieved by someone with a spinal cord injury. The expedition included a night in the open at minus 30 and a helicopter rescue, and became the subject of The Mountain Within Me, a Universal Pictures documentary released in cinemas in 2024. Since then he has made the first ascent of Hope Peak in Kyrgyzstan and climbed the Matterhorn.
The mountains got bigger. Mera Peak in Nepal at 6,476m. During lockdown, the height of Everest climbed on his parents’ staircase, raising more than £41,000 for charity. In 2022 he attempted Himlung Himal, a 7,126m Himalayan peak, reaching 6,800m and setting a world record for the highest altitude achieved by someone with a spinal cord injury. The expedition included a night in the open at minus 30 and a helicopter rescue, and became the subject of The Mountain Within Me, a Universal Pictures documentary released in cinemas in 2024. Since then he has made the first ascent of Hope Peak in Kyrgyzstan and climbed the Matterhorn.
Along the way Ed founded Millimetres 2 Mountains, a charity that uses the outdoors to help people rebuild after trauma, and partnered with Berghaus to develop adaptive kit that opens the mountains to people with disabilities.
Along the way Ed founded Millimetres 2 Mountains, a charity that uses the outdoors to help people rebuild after trauma, and partnered with Berghaus to develop adaptive kit that opens the mountains to people with disabilities.
He has also become an advocate for disability, speaking openly about the parts of recovery men rarely discuss: fertility, bladder and bowel function, mental health. He is an ambassador for Wings For Life and a trustee of the rugby charity Restart.
He has also become an advocate for disability, speaking openly about the parts of recovery men rarely discuss: fertility, bladder and bowel function, mental health. He is an ambassador for Wings For Life and a trustee of the rugby charity Restart.
Off the hills, he has built a broadcasting career with Channel 4 and TNT Sports: four Paralympic Games, including lead hosting duties at Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026, live rugby and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller Lucky and From the Mountain’s Edge.
Off the hills, he has built a broadcasting career with Channel 4 and TNT Sports: four Paralympic Games, including lead hosting duties at Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026, live rugby and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller Lucky and From the Mountain’s Edge.
Ed now speaks to audiences worldwide about resilience, perspective and moving forward when the plan falls apart. He’s still not sure whether he’s lucky or unlucky. That question turned out to be worth a book.
Ed now speaks to audiences worldwide about resilience, perspective and moving forward when the plan falls apart. He’s still not sure whether he’s lucky or unlucky. That question turned out to be worth a book.
To book Ed for speaking, broadcasting or media, email contact@edjackson8.com.
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