Podcasts

In October 2022 at the age of 20, Laura McEvoy from Northern Ireland was involved in a devastating car accident that changed her life forever, leaving her with a spinal cord injury at L1, fractured vertebrae in her neck, and a cracked skull. Told she might never walk again, Laura refused to accept defeat. Through sheer determination and the unwavering support of her family and friends, she defied the odds rebuilding her life step by step facing life’s toughest challenges with remarkable resilience and passion.

A former competitive Irish dancer and outdoor enthusiast, Laura found her way back to the activities she loved and discovered new passions along the way. From learning to walk again with crutches and AFOs to abseiling and climbing the iconic Rathlin Wall at Fairhead, she has redefined what it means to overcome adversity.

Today, Laura is a passionate advocate for accessible outdoor adventure, working with organisations including; Mountaineering Ireland, Tollymore, and Accessible Adventures Ireland to create inclusive opportunities in climbing, paddle sports and hiking. She’s raised thousands for The Outdoor Partnership, earned multiple climbing qualifications, and is now leading the way in organising major inclusive and adaptive expeditions, this past weekend she was part of a paddling and camping adventure on Lough Erne.

As if that wasn’t enough, Laura is also making her mark on the court as a wheelchair basketball athlete for Northern Ireland, with her sights set firmly on the Commonwealth Games in 2026. Her motto, “Say yes to everything,” captures the spirit of a woman who isn’t just surviving trauma she’s thriving and inspiring others to believe that their limits are only the starting point.