Who is Carol Cooke AM PLY
Carol’s story isn’t just about medals or milestones. As a Global speaker she takes people on a journey of how to move forward when life feels stalled, uncertain, or overwhelming. Through powerful storytelling and lived experience, she helps audiences rediscover resilience, courage and the belief that change is always possible.
You want your employees to be confident, adaptable, and willing to step outside their comfort zones to help move your business forward. But many are struggling with change, uncertainty, self-doubt, and a lack of motivation, leaving them feeling stuck rather than inspired. So how do you help your team rediscover belief in themselves, embrace challenges, and unlock what’s truly possible?
Blending elite sport, law enforcement and advocacy experience, Carol brings a rare and authentic perspective to the stage. A three-time Paralympian and nine-time World Champion in Para-cycling, she has won three Paralympic gold medals and one silver medal while overcoming immense personal and professional challenges. From serving as a police officer to competing on the world stage, Carol understands pressure, reinvention and the power of mindset in high-performance environments.
What makes Carol different is her ability to connect deeply with people while delivering practical, actionable lessons they can immediately apply to their own lives and leadership. She doesn’t just inspire audiences for the moment — she helps them rethink what’s possible long after the event is over. Her message is simple yet powerful: It’s never too late to change direction, take a chance on yourself, or find your inner gold.
Positive, engaging and entertaining, Carol combines humour, honesty and emotion to create presentations that leave audiences uplifted, energised and motivated to take action. Whether speaking to corporate teams, leadership groups or community organisations, she creates an experience that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
DO YOU WANT YOUR AUDIENCE TO:
Face Fear, Take Action: Walk away with the courage to tackle uncertainty and make bold decisions
Transform Exhaustion into Energy: Discover how to reignite drive and momentum for yourself and your team
Turn Momentum into Results: Learn how to convert renewed energy and courage into measurable outcomes that matter
At the heart of Carol's work is her FORCE Within Framework—a powerful approach that empowers people to become Fearless, embrace their Original strengths, build Resilience, have the Courage to take a chance on change, and Embrace the positives. Her presentations equip audiences with the habits, mindset, and practical strategies to perform under pressure, navigate uncertainty, and sustain momentum when conditions are far from ideal.
Carol delivers a high-trust, high-impact message that is substantive, memorable, and designed to create lasting behaviour change—not just inspiration that fades after the applause.
Carol believes that “nothing is impossible if we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves” and believes “the greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”
BUY BOOKS
These stories equip you and your teams with proven lessons on resilience, performance, and thriving through change.!
ACHIEVEMENTS
2022 Silver Medal - World Road Para Cycling Championships - Time Trial
2021 Silver Medal – Tokyo Paralympics – Time Trial
2019 Australian Female Road Para Cyclist of the Year
2019 Dual World Champion – World Road Para Cycling Championships
2018 Victorian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2018 Dual Silver Medallist – World Road Para Cycling Championships
2017 Award of Excellence – Victorian Institute of Sport
2017 Australian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2017 Dual World Champion- World Road Para Cycling Championships
2016 Victorian Cyclist of the Year
2016 Australian and Victorian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2016 2 x Gold Medallist – Rio Paralympic Games – Road Race and Time Trial
2015 Australian and Victorian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2015 World Champion Female T2 – Road Time Trial – Silver medallist Female T2 – Road Race
2015 Finalist Victorian Australian of the Year
2014 Victorian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2014 Dual World Champion Female T2 – Road Race and Road Time Trial
2014 Honoured as a Member – Order of Australia (AM)
2013 Female Sportsperson of the Year – Vic Disability Sport and Rec
2013 Elite Athlete with a Disability- Victorian Institute of Sport
2013 Victorian Cyclist of the Year
2013 Victorian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2013 Australian Female Para Cyclist of the Year
2013 Dual World Champion Female T2 – Road Race and Road Time Trial
2012 Victorian Female Para-cyclist of the Year
2012 Nominated for Australian of the Year
2012 Gold Medallist – London Paralympic Games – Paracycling – Road Time Trial
2011 Dual Silver Medallist – World Paracycling Championships – Denmark
2011 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards – Commendation
2011-2015 Included in the Who’s Who of Australian Women
2010 Included in the Who’s Who of Australian Women under the category of hope & courage
2009 John Studdy Award, from MS Australia
2008 Included in the Inaugural Who’s Who in Victoria and the Who’s Who of Australian Women
2006 Victorian Masters Sportsperson of the Year Victorian Sports Awards.
2006 Herald Sun Pride of Australia Awards Role Model Category
2003 The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Named a Paul Harris Fellow
2001 Rotary International Shine on Award – Certificate of Commendation