Overcoming Limitations: The Inspiring Journey of Naomi Riches MBE

Описание: In this powerful episode of Eye Connect, Joanne Frye sits down with Paralympic gold medallist Naomi Riches MBE to explore what resilience really looks like — beyond medals, podiums and postboxes painted gold.

Born with achromatopsia, a rare visual impairment that leaves her registered blind in bright light, Naomi shares what it was like growing up feeling “different,” navigating bullying at school, and slowly discovering that her identity was far bigger than her eyesight .

From a surprise phone call inviting her to trial for the GB Para Rowing Team, to becoming World Champion just four months later, Naomi’s sporting journey is nothing short of extraordinary . She reflects on winning Paralympic gold at London 2012, the evolution of disability sport, and how 2012 changed public perception of what elite athletes with disabilities can achieve .

But this conversation goes deeper than rowing.

Naomi speaks candidly about:

Living with an invisible disability
Learning to forgive those who bullied her
Being run over by a car during her career and rebuilding from rock bottom
The emotional highs and lows of elite sport
Her MBE and role as Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire
Why resilience is a muscle — and how we can all strengthen it
Now a sought-after speaker, Naomi helps individuals and organisations understand that resilient people build resilient teams. Her message is simple but profound: you are enough.

This episode is a reminder that limitations don’t define us — our response to them does.

Official Website: https://naomiriches.com/