Available to book
Liz McConaghy
Resilience
Effective Leadership
Team Building
Transform team resilience and mental health with Liz McConaghy, speaker and RAF veteran. Liz helps organisations navigate adversity through powerful storytelling about military leadership and PTSD recovery, delivering authentic insights as an Amazon bestselling author.
Female Empowerment
Personal Wellbeing
Military
Inspirational
Personal Development
Mental Health Awareness
Liz McConaghy, a former member of the RAF Chinook Aircrew and author of "Chinook Crew ‘Chick’: Highs and Lows of Forces Life", began her remarkable career in aviation on her 19th birthday at RAF Cranwell. Hailing from a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, she made history as the youngest aircrew member to deploy to Iraq at just 21 years old and served as the only female crewman on the Chinook wing for four years. Her distinguished career included two deployments to Iraq and ten to Helmand, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Herrick, providing her with a profound and personal perspective on the realities of war.
Throughout her time in the forces, Liz witnessed both the heroism and the harsh consequences of conflict. She experienced life-threatening situations, including a near-fatal wire strike while in flight, and played a crucial role in the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), where she recovered wounded soldiers from the battlefield, often under fire. These experiences deeply shaped her understanding of teamwork, leadership, and the human spirit's resilience.
After leaving the RAF in 2019, Liz faced a series of traumatic events that culminated in a suicide attempt in August 2020. Entering the Veterans Mental Health care system, she began writing her autobiography as a means of processing her past. "Chinook Crew ‘Chick’" was published in September 2022 and quickly became an Amazon Bestseller. The book offers an honest account of her experiences, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs she faced during her time in the forces while also exploring the impact of her military service on her mental health.
Now a motivational speaker, Liz shares her journey of resilience and mental health struggles within the RAF. She emphasises the importance of teamwork and the ability to turn adversity into positivity, even in difficult times. As an ambassador for mental health and PTSD among veterans, Liz advocates that PTSD does not define a person; rather, it can be a chapter in their life story that leads to growth and renewal. Through her compelling narrative, she encourages others to find strength in vulnerability and hope in adversity.
Topics, sessions and talks
Join Liz McConaghy, the longest-serving female crewmember of the RAF Chinook Fleet, as she shares her remarkable journey of resilience and leadership. Drawing from her unique experiences, Liz provides powerful insights into overcoming challenges and fostering effective teamwork. Attendees will learn practical strategies to enhance resilience within their teams, empowering them to thrive in adversity and become inspiring leaders in their own right.
In this motivating session, Liz McConaghy captivates students with her journey from a small town in Northern Ireland to becoming a pioneering Chinook crew member. Through her relatable storytelling, Liz inspires resilience, determination, and the belief that anything is possible. Students will gain valuable insights into career paths and the importance of perseverance, motivating them to chase their dreams and break through barriers.
Liz McConaghy’s transformative story of survival and advocacy offers a powerful testament to resilience and the human spirit. In this inspiring talk, she engages audiences with her journey from trauma survivor to mental health advocate, raising awareness for vital causes. Attendees will learn how to inspire change, increase engagement, and motivate support for charitable initiatives, illustrating the profound impact of community involvement and charitable contributions.
Book Liz McConaghy to inspire your team with her unique journey of resilience and teamwork. Her candid insights on overcoming adversity and mental health challenges will motivate and empower your audience, demonstrating that even the darkest experiences can lead to profound personal growth and strength.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email liz.mcconaghy@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Liz's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Liz McConaghy structures her sessions around first-person narrative drawn from her military service and post-service recovery, moving chronologically from her deployment history with the RAF Chinook Fleet through to her mental health crisis and subsequent advocacy work.
Liz McConaghy's sessions cover resilience and leadership in business and organisational contexts, mental health advocacy and veteran welfare, and inspiring young people through personal storytelling. She served as the longest-serving female crewmember on the RAF Chinook Fleet, with two deployments to Iraq and ten to Helmand, Afghanistan, and is the author of the Amazon bestselling autobiography "Chinook Crew 'Chick': Highs and Lows of Forces Life".
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.
There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.
Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.
Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.
Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.
You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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