JJ Chalmers

Former Royal Marine Commando, Invictus Games Gold Medallist, TV Presenter of ‘Warship’ & Co-Host of The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Coverage

JJ Chalmers’s Biography:

JJ Chalmers is a former Royal Marine, Invictus Games medallist and respected television presenter whose journey from battlefield injury to national broadcaster has inspired audiences across the UK. Severely injured by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan, JJ underwent nearly 30 operations in eight weeks before rebuilding his life through sport and media. Today, he is a familiar face on British television and a powerful keynote speaker on resilience, recovery and high-performance mindset.

JJ deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 as a Royal Marine Commando. During active service, he sustained life-changing injuries from an IED explosion. His recovery demanded extraordinary determination, rehabilitation and mental resilience. Refusing to let injury define him, JJ turned to competitive sport as part of his recovery process and quickly rose to elite-level competition.

In 2014, JJ represented the United Kingdom at the Invictus Games, securing gold in the Men’s IRecB1 Recumbent Circuit Race and bronze medals in both the one-mile time trial and the 4×100 mixed relay. His sporting achievements opened the door to a broadcasting career, beginning with presenting roles at the Rio 2016 Paralympics for Channel 4. He went on to become a trusted sports presenter across major international events.

JJ’s broadcasting career has included presenting and reporting for the BBC at Olympic Games, Paralympics, World Championships and national commemorations. He has co-hosted coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and presented factual programming such as Warship: Life in the Royal Navy and The Travelling Auctioneer. His versatility and warmth have made him one of the UK’s most respected sports broadcasters.

Why Hire JJ Chalmers?

JJ is hired as a speaker for his extraordinary story of resilience, leadership and rebuilding under extreme adversity. Drawing on his military background, life-changing injury and elite sporting comeback, he delivers powerful lessons on mindset, teamwork and navigating uncertainty. His journey resonates strongly with corporate, education and leadership audiences seeking practical inspiration.

His public profile, including his appearance on ‘Strictly Come Dancing‘, has further demonstrated his courage in stepping outside his comfort zone in front of millions. Combined with his extensive live broadcasting experience, JJ connects naturally with audiences and communicates emotional journeys with clarity, honesty and impact.

JJ Chalmers’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define JJ Chalmers’s remarkable career:

• 2025 – Returned as a lead presenter for the BBC’s coverage of the Invictus Games, bringing personal insight as a former medallist to international audiences.
• 2024 – Co-hosted BBC coverage of the Paris Olympic Games, presenting morning programming to national audiences.
• 2024 – Presented Channel 5’s Warship: Life in the Royal Navy.
• 2023 – Co-presented The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for BBC One.
• 2022 – Served as anchor presenter for the BBC’s Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup coverage.
• 2021 – Presented for BBC coverage of the Tokyo Olympic Games and joined BBC’s Money for Nothing as a presenter.
• 2020 – Appeared as a celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
• 2016 – Presented for Channel 4’s coverage of the Rio Paralympics.
• 2014 – Won gold and bronze medals at the Invictus Games in competitive cycling events.
• 2011 – Severely injured while serving as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan following an IED explosion.