101. Harry Potter stuntman David Holmes on finding purpose - and positivity - beyond paralysis

On January 28th, 2009, a rehearsed stunt on set of Harry Potter went horrifically wrong. David, who for a decade was the lead stunt double for his friend Daniel Radcliffe, was left paralysed from the chest down.

A number of long and dangerous operations followed, many of them lifesaving. David survived but his condition is degenerative - each year bringing yet more challenge for him.

From being an elite gymnast and professional stunt double for the most famous boy in the world at the time… as someone who was defined by their physicality … David’s accident stripped of his identity.

His story – told brilliantly in the moving documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived and now in his autobiography - is more than one of survival. It is the story of someone who decided to reject bitterness about his old life to pursue a new one full of meaning and purpose. 

As David puts it: “I’m having a unique journey on this planet, and I am going to own it.”

David is now a podcaster, producer, author … and an inspiration to all that meet him. He is speaking at Creative Folkestone Festival on 21st November. Secure your tickets now: https://www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/david-holmes-harry-potterandrsquos-double/?book=566337

Thank you David for sharing your remarkable perspective, positivity and wisdom.

Links 

David’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidholmes83/?hl=en

Book 

The Boy Who Lived: https://amzn.eu/d/auagBtq

DocumentaryDavid Holmes: The Boy Who Lived:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0CN4X1Q8B/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r 

Charities 

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital: https://www.rnohcharity.org/

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host – Andy Coulson   

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering, Linus Difford

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com