All Action Hero

Ade was never was never one to sit and watch the grass grow. Not only has he forged a successful career as a TV presenter, he is also a keen sportsman, competing at Olympic level, a try-anything-once traveller and a sought-after motivational speaker.

Having survived polio as a youngster, Ade excelled at sports, particularly wheelchair basketball - Ade’s current sporting passion is wheelchair tennis. As part of his TV presenting work, Ade has travelled the world exploring South American rainforests, scuba diving in Mexico, skiing in Canada and swimming with sharks in Australia. In 2005, Ade was awarded an MBE for his contribution to disabled sport.

BHM finds out what drives the unstoppable Ade...

BHM: Childhood ambition?
Ade Adepitan: I wanted to do so many things when I was growing up but football was always my first love and I desperately wanted to play football for England. Then at 14 I started playing wheelchair basketball, and that’s when winning a paralympic medal became my focus.

BHM: What was your first career break?
AA: I was introduced to wheelchair basketball at the age of 14 by two physiotheraptst who asked me to play for their team. This gave me a taste for the sport which changed my life.
I was given my TV break by two guys who ran a Production Company called Two Hand productions (Jonathan Frisby and Luke Guille). They asked me to film a basketball video diary called Hoop Dreams for Cable TV and afterwards I became the lead presenter for a kids wildlife show called Tiger Tiger on Five.

BHM: Describe your personality in three words?
AA: Focused, Warm, Adventurous.

BHM: Top Black History Month Hero and why?
AA: Nelson Mandela – his strength of character is inspirational. To be able to forgive so much after enduring so much injustice is astonishing. If there were more people in positions of power that followed his example, the world would be a better place.

BHM: You are a motivational speaker – what motivates you?
AA: Life motivates me every day. I see lots of things that excite me, it might be watching an amazing piece of sport or it could be seeing my mother working so hard. Or even the people who have supported me throughout my career. All of these things motivate and inspire me to keep striving to be successful and to share my success!

BHM: Where would you like to be in five years time?
AA: I want to be hosting my own TV or radio show and also I want to be married with kids. n

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