“My journey from a total waster to a champion rally driver has taught me so much. The way we think has such a dramatic effect on how we operate and perform.”
Despite a wonderfully middle class comfortable start in life, Penny’s life took a turn for the worse following a family breakdown. She felt alone and invisible. Penny ended up leaving home at 14, and started to drink, steal, self harm and disengage from education.
Her destructive negative thoughts mixed with her own self hatred, resulted in Penny’s teenage years spiraling out of control, and she found herself living in the dark and depressing world of homeless hostels in London.
With a boyfriend addicted to heroin, nowhere to live, and one to turn to, she hit rock bottom. As many people discover, this is where you can have a ‘defining moment’ that turns you life upside down, for the better.
“Driving rally cars gave me the sense of adventure and freedom that I craved... and still do.”
During Penny’s early years, she was seduced by her father’s love of cars and motorsport. That passion never left her. Penny followed her dream, and against all the odds, became a champion rally driver. She wanted prove she was not such a waste of space, after all.
Penny became very successful at raising significant sponsorship, and over the years was able to start working her way up the Rallying ladder. Within four years of sitting in her first rally car she became National Ladies Champion and drove everything from Mk2 Escorts, Sierra Cosworths to Escort Cosworths.
Over 12 years of competition earned her the chance to compete in a Ford Focus World Rally Car, and in the process became the first woman in the world to drive a car of this specification.
Penny has presented many motoring and lifestyle TV shows since, including DRIVEN the highly acclaimed Channel 4 show, and has driven in many TV commercials including the iconic Nicole & Papa Renault Clio commercials. See more about Penny's TV career.
“Every adventure or challenge pushes me to discover something I didn't know about myself.”
With an undying passion for the fast and furious, Penny has spent years taking part in various challenges and adventures that push her to the limit mentally and physically. From running marathons, boxing and climbing one of the world’s biggest mountains, Penny is always on the look out for her next challenge. 2012 will see Penny join the first team ever to reach the Norwegian Archipelago in a power rib (and she hates the sea).
These adventures offer Penny the opportunity to practice what she preaches. She is able to put her 9 special stages to the test and entertain her audience with the stories.
Penny trains physically every day because she knows that when you have a healthy body and a healthy mind, you’re able to perform at your best. Read more about performance coaching.
If you have an adventurous challenge that you think Penny might enjoy, then please contact her.
“One thing's for sure, your mind is your greatest asset. Get your head 'in the right place' and anything's possible.”
Penny has been selected as a Patron of Modern Muse, a National movement to inspire the next generation of young women
Penny is now a highly sought after Keynote Speaker, Events Host and TV Presenter. Her experience in World Championship Rallying has contributed to her inspirational presentations coming alive with energy & passion.
Penny’s passion for helping people make a ‘transformation’ from their ‘current place, to a better place’ has taken her into prisons, schools, homeless shelters, blue chip offices and world class sporting events. Penny is an active supporter of her two chosen charities Barnardo's and Crisis.
Be careful what you think about, because it may well come to pass. As a qualified Performance Coach, Penny understands how vital it is to be aware of your state of mind.
Her first book ‘Take Control of Your Life’ shot up to Amazon’s No 2 slot in January 2011.