There’s no stopping Billy Monger. Since losing both legs at 17, following a horrific crash at Donington Park, the young racing driver has done more than just get back behind the wheel.
He’s gone on to do Celebrity Race Across the World (Morocco to Norway), the Ironman World Championship (Hawaii), even a Strictly Christmas Special (Hertfordshire). That, and travel the world as a pundit.
Now he’s set his sights on Los Angeles, where his aim is to win paratriathlon gold in 2028 . Here he tells Mike Ward what continues to drive him…
Life doesn’t exactly stand still for you, does it, Billy? Are you basically living out of a suitcase these days?
To be honest, organisation’s not my strongest point. I’ve had to get better because I travel all over for work now, but I’ve never been an everything-in-its-place kind of person. Plus I have to pack several sets of legs each time, which is a logistical nightmare!
How many sets are we talking?
I’ve got different legs for cycling, running, day-to-day walking, plus shorter gym legs — four or five sets at times. When I’m going to new countries, I often don’t know what terrain I’ll face, so I take different equipment to make sure I can still train and run.
And are those prosthetics crazily expensive?
Some are, especially walking prosthetics. If you’re missing a knee and need a microprocessor knee with the smart electrics, that’s the most expensive bit. Blades aren’t cheap either. It all adds up.
Can you take us back to the aftermath of the accident? You were weeks off your 18th birthday. How did you even begin to keep your spirits up?
Keeping a sense of humour stopped everything being doom and gloom. I turned 18 in hospital and was making “legless” jokes about buying rounds for mates. I was lucky — people made me see my life wasn’t over. Positivity and a laugh go a long way.
Being labelled an inspiration must be nice, but can it make you feel you’re not allowed the odd bad mood?
Yeah, I definitely resonate with that! I talk about that in the new book I’ve written for kids. Even people who look like they’ve got it all together have days where they just want to quit. It’s about finding a way to still win.
Ah, yes, the book: Find Your Drive. Whose idea was it?
Since my first documentary Driven came out in 2018, I’ve had lots messages from teachers and students saying it was being used in classes to teach about resilience etc. I didn’t make it with that in mind, but it made me think I could do more.
You’ve aimed it at 8-to-11s. Why that age bracket?
Because they’re still learning and changing. With technology and social media, older children can’t always connect as well.
What’s the key message?
I want them to feel like whatever life throws at them, they can still push forward. It’s about resilience, staying positive, making the best of yourself, in sport, school or just everyday stuff.
Give us a teaser.
There are plenty of little moments, times I’ve had to adapt quickly, laugh at myself and crack on. I talk about messing up, learning fast, finding ways to keep moving.
Looking back, what would the eight-year-old Billy have needed to hear?
That you don’t have to be perfect to make progress. Curiosity and effort matter more than being the best straight away. Try stuff, learn and enjoy it.
What cheers you up these days when you feel a bit crap?
Spending time with friends and family. That, and being outside in nature, whether I’m cycling or running – getting some fresh air, putting my headphones in, switching off from the world.
Back to the travel chaos, Celebrity Race Across the World looked gruelling.
Totally. I’m used to controlled environments where I can take my legs off at night and let the skin breathe. On the race we were bouncing from a hot overnight bus in Morocco to waking up freezing somewhere else – temperatures changing, no consistent bed, often having to keep my prosthetics on longer than I’d like.
You and your sister Bonny made great telly.
We’d always talked about travelling together. I honestly thought my sister wouldn’t fancy being filmed constantly, but after we’d watched one episode together she went, “This looks cool. Let’s do it.”
I notice she gave you no special treatment!
Absolutely not! I don’t need wrapping in cotton wool. If people felt they had to do that regularly, it would mean I wasn’t pulling my weight. I want to be treated like anyone else.
Weeks after the Ironman World Championship , along came Strictly. How the hell did they get you into sequins?
I’d just finished my second Comic Relief challenge, so I was at peak fitness. We thought Strictly could help amplify the charity work. Dancing as a prosthetic user was miles from my world, but I never want to shy away from things that set a strong example.
And are the dancing shoes still polished and ready to go, or shoved to the back of the wardrobe?
They’ve been hung up for a bit. But never say never!
- Find Your Drive by Billy Monger (Rocket Fox, £9.99) is out now.