“I went through all stages of grief, I lost my identity” | Danielle Brown MBE

Danielle Brown MBE spent the whole of her career as world number one. After winning Paralympic Gold in Beijing, she went on to win gold again at the London 2012 Games and competed in the able-bodied Commonwealth Games of 2010, taking gold in that as well. 

Whilst podium placements and peak performance were constant in her glittering career, Danielle has overcome numerous barriers in her pursuit of sporting supremacy. 

Having come from a very sporty background, at age 11, Danielle was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in both of her feet. The condition always causes chronic pain. Running became ‘impossible’ and walking was ‘extremely painful.’ 

“I figured I was down to do either archery or swimming,” Danielle explains. “Playing with bows and arrows seemed a lot more exciting than bobbing up and down in the pool.” 

“It was sort of my motivation to get through
the day and that was the way I dealt with
my disability with my pain.”  

“I didn’t realise that archery even existed outside fairy stories and medieval history!”  

Many athletes are described as being ‘a natural’ at a sport when they are younger. Danielle admits that when she first started, she was not.  

“I couldn’t even hit the target, but I loved it. I was back outside and back doing sport.” 

Aside from allowing Danielle access to sport again, it provided a way of dealing with the pain of her condition.”  

“I was practicing a lot and if I could get through school with the pain I was well enough to go to archery.  

“It was sort of my motivation to get through the day and that was the way I dealt with my disability with my pain.”  

3 years after starting Archery, Danielle was in the GB Squad. But rather than place all her hopes in professional sport she chose to study Law at Leicester University alongside competing internationally.  

Whilst it was a challenge, it was one worth taking as Danielle thought law was where her career would be. 

Fortunately, she was ‘passionate about the sport and passionate about the degree’ and whilst it was hard, Danielle made sure she was committed to both. 

Sport is very unpredictable, can be lonely
and it can be quite cruel as well. But it was
the one the I was the most passionate about”

Not many students can say they deferred a year of the education to compete at a Olympic or Paralympic Games, but that is exactly what Danielle did, bringing back the gold medal from Beijing 2008.   

In 2010, Danielle received first class honours in her Law degree and she was faced with a choice.  

“There was a crossroads.  Do I choose that stable career in law or do I choose sport? Sport is very unpredictable, can be lonely and it can be quite cruel as well. But it was the one the I was the most passionate about, the one that brought me the most happiness.”  

Not only did Danielle get Gold in Beijing, but in 2010 she made the monumental step of competing with able-bodied athletes at the Commonwealth Games.  

“It was something that a lot of people told me I couldn’t do you know because of my disability but it was one of the things that I thought if I could shoot one arrow in the middle of the target why can’t I get them all?”  

Danielle and her team won gold, and in the same week found out she had received first class honours in her Law degree. Danielle chose sport and admits the allure of a home games in London was an opportunity she could not miss.  

At London 2012, Danielle’s archery was exactly the same.  

“I didn’t do anything different you know. I got a chance of winning one medal in both [Olympics] and I did.”  

However, the media circus surrounding the Games was completely new.  

“I had two full days of media interviews. It was amazing. Such a good job was done in the run up to the games to try and promote para-sport, explain what it was and get it on the radar and then did a brilliant job of covering it throughout.”  

After all of her medal success, as well as sacrificing a career in law, Danielle’s disability classification was cut from funding without warning.  

“I went through all stages of grief but I also
[thought] I don’t know who I am anymore.” 

“Being told that my disability didn’t affect my ability enough not only changed my identity from an athlete’s point of view but how I physically perceived myself as a person with a disability.  

“I went through all stages of grief but I also [thought] I don’t know who I am anymore.” 

“What do I do now? You know this is my life. It’s not just a career. Every decision you make is around winning that gold medal.” 

Transition into a post-sport career is a notoriously difficult period in an athlete’s career. Danielle got ‘no support’ with her National Governing Body telling her ‘With the CV like yours you won’t find it difficult to get a job.’ 

Now, Danielle has set up her own motivational training and coaching business that inspires others to overcome the hurdles they face. 

“Hearing that women have a more difficult path
to career progression … was never strong enough
to put me off, but it was strong enough to sow seeds of doubt” 

“I do a lot around the performance side but diversity and inclusion is something I was really passionate about. 

“When I was at school hearing that women have a more difficult path to career progression, pay rises and promotions, for me, it was never strong enough to put me off, but it was strong enough to sow seeds of doubt.” 

Disability added another challenge, but sport gave Danielle added self–confidence and self–esteem.  

“I managed to change those perceptions about myself and so I do a lot in terms of diversity and inclusion around identity and authenticity.” 

As well as working in businesses, Danielle focuses on inspiring the next generation. 

“I’m very passionate about the education sector. Inspiring and empowering the younger generation to unlock their potential overcome barriers and achieve more.”  

Everything Danielle has turned her hand to has been a success. She is living proof that no matter your situation, you can still triumph in the face of adversity. 

Now, rather than winning gold medals, Danielle hopes to inspire a generation to be the best version of themselves.