Long Jumper.  Paralympian. Scholar. Broadcaster, Professional Speaker, Actress, and Model.

Stef is a Paralympic long jumper who competes for Great Britain. Born in New Zealand to a Scottish father and English mother, she grew up in Toronto, and moved to Dallas, Texas with her Canadian husband all before settling back in the UK in 2010. Stef’s talent and passion for sport were spotted early, and at 12 she was already dreaming of playing rugby on the world stage. But at 15, Stef was involved in a boating accident, suffering severe propeller lacerations. Her life was saved but her right foot was amputated.

Stef’s focus shifted from her sports to her studies, and she graduated as valedictorian earning a full academic scholarship to Queen’s University in Canada to study biochemistry. While at Queen’s, Stef joined the university athletics team “just to see how fast she could still run.”  Upon graduation, she decided to put her plans of medical school aside and focus on her childhood dream of being a professional athlete. 

Fast forward to today!  Stef is a five-time world record holder and triple Paralympic medallist in the long jump (2016, 2012) and 200m sprint (2008). She has an honours degree in biochemistry, and away from the track works as a broadcaster, professional speaker, actor, and model.  Stef was also a finalist on Celebrity MasterChef 2018 as well as starring in the short film “The Energy Within” - “an inspirational film about why disability isn’t inspirational.”

Stef trains at Loughborough University alongside her wheelchair racing husband, Brent Lakatos. Brent is also world record holder, seven-time Paralympic medallist, and seven-time world champion. Together the dynamic duo are working hard towards the next big competitions.

Today, wearing her Cheetah Xtreme, Stef is really looking forward to the challenges that this year will bring.