Caragh McMurtry is the Co-Founder and CEO of Neurodiverse Sport, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to embedding neuroinclusive practices in sports. As a former rower for Team GB, she uses her lived experience as an autistic athlete to promote a better understanding of how neurodivergent people can thrive in competitive and professional environments.
Her career as a rower spanned over a decade, representing Great Britain at multiple international competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She won medals at the junior and U23 levels and competed at the World Rowing Championships in women’s eight and four. Her journey was shaped by the challenges of training and competing while navigating an undiagnosed and then misdiagnosed neurodivergent condition. A late autism diagnosis provided clarity and allowed her to advocate not only for herself but also for others facing similar experiences.
Caragh’s work extends beyond sport, addressing the broader implications of neurodiversity in high-performance environments. She has been recognised for her efforts to drive systemic change, winning an innovation award at the UK Sport PLx Awards in 2023. She is also a trustee for the Red2Green charity and an ambassador for the Mintridge Foundation, Sporting Chance, and the Girl Guides.
Through her work, Caragh highlights the importance of inclusive frameworks that allow neurodivergent individuals to reach their potential. She shares insights on resilience, adapting to different ways of thinking, and fostering environments where diversity of thought is an asset. Her experience in elite sports offers valuable lessons for organisations seeking to improve performance, collaboration, and well-being through a more inclusive approach.
Caragh McMurtry's journey highlights how embracing neurodiversity can transform personal challenges into strengths. Her story demonstrates that resilience and self-awareness are crucial for achieving success. Attendees will learn how to harness these qualities to overcome adversity and thrive.
Caragh McMurtry shares her journey of embracing her neurodivergent mind, demonstrating how self-awareness can unlock potential and enhance performance. Attendees will learn how to understand and work with their unique brains to achieve personal and professional growth.
Caragh McMurtry transformed a personal insight into Neurodiverse Sport, a platform that challenges traditional views and promotes systemic change in sports and beyond. Attendees will learn how to turn a simple idea into a powerful social movement.
Caragh McMurtry explores how societal expectations and medical biases lead to the under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis of neurodivergent women. She advocates for increased awareness and personalised support. Attendees will learn about the impact of gendered stereotypes on medical practices and the importance of recognising diverse needs in healthcare.
