BEN GALLAGHER

EXPLORER & PARA ROWER

“In life we experience adversity and struggle. It is through difficult times that we learn the most important lessons and build resilience!”

Ben grew up in Birmingham and found school and learning through childhood difficult. Aged 17, he decided to join the British Army and in July 2005 attended basic training at the Army Training Regiment, Lichfield. Ben went on to have a successful military career deploying worldwide on numerous exercises and operational deployments, completed many courses and participated in a mix of sporting activities.

In 2019 whilst on active duty, Ben’s world turned upside down. He was involved in an incident that has since changed his life. He was shot numerous times and received blast/fragmentation injuries to his upper torso and both arms, without a doubt, his body armour saved his life. Ben was stabilised in hospital and underwent many operations one of which was extensive surgery to reconstruct his left arm with tendon, nerve and skin grafts and as a result he now has surgical injuries to both legs.

“Life is limitless, you are only restricted by you!”

Ben was involved in a traumatic event and has experienced a long period of recovery with many months of rehabilitation. During this period, he felt lost and isolated, unable to come to terms with what had happened. Ben would often break down, experience heavy emotions and suicidal ideations alongside constantly asking himself “why me?”. Subsequently he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and underwent Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with a clinical psychologist.

Resilience, optimism and determination are qualities that highlight Ben’s consistent drive to succeed.

“Everything happens for a reason, that reason causes change. Sometimes it hurts and often it’s hard but in the end it makes us who we are”

He now shares his experiences of dealing with complex trauma and overcoming adversity before going on to achieve world first and record breaking challenges. Ben is an advocate of mental health having suffered mental illness and been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He is an outdoors enthusiast that enjoys testing himself both mentally and physically through sports, tough endurance events and outdoor expeditions.

“Going to do today what other people aren’t willing to, so I can do tomorrow what other people can’t!”

British Rowing - Ben often used a Concept 2 rowing machine as part of a gym routine or for exercise, however post injury he found it very difficult to sit on an erg. Through determination and drive Ben would not be defeated and rowing became a challenge, building up strokes, time and distance till rowing became ‘comfortable’ again.

Ben has raced at the British Rowing Indoor Championships and Festival of Indoor Rowing completing both with a medal finish and record time. He also competed in Dusseldorf, Germany at the 2023 Invictus Games finishing with a gold medal in indoor rowing and a bronze medal in cycling. Through the power of sport, the Invictus Games support the recovery and rehabilitation of participating servicemen and women.

Due to his achievements Ben has progressed his rowing career and is now classified with British Rowing. Following classification, Ben became a Professional Athlete and joined the World Class Paralympic Programme competing both on and off the water. Within his first year Ben achieved British, European and World Indoor Rowing Champion and was in contention for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

“Sport is something everyone can do regardless of injury, illness or experience. It offers so much by way of learning, development and growth both in the individual and often the people around them. It can also provide focus and direction when times are hard.””

INVICTUS GAMES – DUSSELDORF

9th - 16th September 2023

Through the power of sport, the Invictus Games support the recovery and rehabilitation of participating servicemen and women.

Men's IR6 4 minute Endurance Indoor Rowing - GOLD

Men's IRB3 Criterium Cycle– BRONZE

Men’s IR6 1 minute Sprint Indoor Rowing – 12th

Men’s IRB3 Time Trial Cycle – 5th