Will Elrick
Mountaineer, Martial Artist, Athlete & Inspirational Speaker
After surviving a catastrophic car accident and losing his right leg, Will rebuilt his life to become a mountaineer, martial artist, endurance athlete, and inspirational speaker. From trekking the Camino to climbing 8,000m peaks, his powerful story of resilience, courage, and possibility inspires audiences to achieve more than they thought possible.
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Mountaineer, martial artist, athlete, teacher, farmer — many words describe Will, though he simply calls himself “just an ordinary bloke.” After surviving a near-fatal head-on car collision more than a decade ago, defying the odds has become a way of life.
With courage, determination, and what he calls “sheer bloody stubbornness,” Will transformed his life from a hospital bed to one filled with extraordinary achievement. His philosophy is simple: With Will… Anything Is Possible.
Will’s accident left him in a coma for five weeks, during which his heart stopped three times. He sustained severe brain bruising, a fractured spine, smashed pelvis, lacerated liver, crushed legs, and ultimately the amputation of his right leg at the hip. Doctors considered turning off life support more than once.
When he awoke, the challenges continued — multiple surgeries, speech therapy to relearn how to talk, and occupational therapy to regain use of his hands. Survival was only the beginning.
Hearing the words “you shouldn’t be alive,” Will made a choice: to live boldly.
Since his recovery, he has:
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Trekked the Inca Trail and Kokoda Trail, carrying his own pack and spare crutches
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Walked the 900km Camino de Santiago from France to Spain
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Climbed mountains to altitudes exceeding 8,000 metres
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Competed in cycling at the Disabled World Cup, equalling the Australian record
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Completed the Oxfam Trailwalker (100km) in 25 hours
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Earned a Black Belt in Wing Chun
Beyond sport, Will became a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist, lectured at the Australian College of Natural Therapies, and is now studying Organic Farming and Permaculture.
Rebuilding his life required redefining himself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That journey now fuels his mission: to help others unlock their own potential.
Dynamic, passionate, and deeply authentic, Will takes audiences with him — onto mountain peaks and into martial arts training halls — creating immersive, powerful experiences. His story is not just about survival, but about choosing adventure, resilience, and growth.
Through humour, humility, and raw honesty, Will inspires organisations and individuals to overcome adversity, strengthen their mindset, and aim higher than they ever thought possible.
