About jack
In 2012 Jack Kavanagh suffered a life changing spinal cord injury leaving him with 15% muscle function, in the years since Jack has challenged the perceived limitations of his situation. In 2014 Jack gave the acclaimed TEDx Talk “Fearless Like A Child, Overcoming Adversity” and in 2019 was awarded as one of “Ten Outstanding Young People Of The Year”. Jack has also received several international awards for his documentary Breaking Boundaries.
As a Pharmacist, Speaker and Facilitator Jack is passionate about the value of health & wellbeing as drivers for business performance coupled with cultivating diverse & inclusive environments where people belong and are valued.
Jack is host of the Only Human Podcast and sits on the board of directors of the National Disability Authority and Center for Excellence in Universal Design as well as leadership development organisation Common Purpose Ireland.
Qualifications:
- BSc Pharmacy – TCD
- MSc Pharmacy, Health & Wellness – RCSI
- PgDip Positive Psychology & Health – RCSI
- Dip Coaching – ILI
Interested in learning more?
Documentary
Breaking Boundaries documentary follows Jack and his friends as they head to the west coast of America in search of adventure.
The journey brings them to amazing places and introduces them to fascinating people. As they eat up the Californian miles, they skydive over Perris, camp out in Yosemite and hang out with U2.
Yet Jack’s resolute spirit is also tested throughout the journey. Amidst the highs, there are many lows that put Jack’s own circumstances into perspective whilst also providing a stark reminder of the fragility of life itself.
TedX Tallaght
Jack Kavanagh a young student broke his neck doing something he had done hundreds of times that summer. Here he tells his inspirational story of how he had to adapt to a new normal and how he is determined to win back his independence, learning important lessons from his own childhood.