On the back of his incredible gold medal race with rowing partner Lauren Rowles, Sports, Fitness and Coaching graduate Gregg Stevenson took time out of his celebrations to share his inspirational story with The Open University community.
After a traumatic incident when serving as a Royal Engineer Commando, Gregg struggled to come to terms with his injuries, until he rediscovered the power of sport.
Now a qualified mental health practitioner and decorated Team GB rower, Gregg reflects on how OU study sparked his ambition to tackle health inequalities on a national scale.
Finding strength
During a foot patrol while deployed to Afghanistan, an IED explosion left Gregg with devastating injuries that led to him losing both legs.
“I was operated on very quickly, then flown to Selly Oak for longer term operations and treatment,” says Gregg. “I got on well with my rehab and physio – at that point, I just felt grateful to be alive.”
As time went on, Gregg found it tough to come to terms with his disability.
“I didn’t want to leave the military, but an admin role wasn’t what I wanted either. My mental health deteriorated, and I was discharged from the army.”
Suffering from the loss of the only profession he knew; Gregg couldn’t find the motivation to eat well and exercise – a vicious cycle he knew he needed to break.
“Luckily, I had the support of my wife and my friends, who encouraged me to make some changes,” Gregg explains. “I realised that I needed to get outside and start moving.”
Inspired to compete
In a better place, Gregg was training again and began working at a rehabilitation centre.
“I was learning about mental health, personal training and nutrition. Helping other amputee veterans move on after injury gave me purpose,” Gregg remembers. “Then finding out I was going to be a dad was the best incentive to stay healthy!”
Energised by his work, Gregg had reached a great level of fitness when he tuned into a sporting event that would change his trajectory more than he ever imagined.
“I watched the Invictus Games and was so inspired by seeing my peers compete, I put my name in the hat for the Invictus Games trials,” Gregg recalls. “I’d done quite a bit of indoor rowing and knew I had a good set of lungs on me, so I entered the rowing category.”
Gregg’s performance was spotted by the Team GB rowing coach, who had no hesitation recommending him for the development squad.
Earning his place on Team GB’s rowing team and aiming to reach the Paralympic Games, Gregg suffered a major setback.
“I learned how to finesse my stroke on the water and training was going really well until I picked up an injury, which contributed to me needing major surgery,” Gregg recalls. “I never thought I’d get an opportunity to return to the squad.”
A new love for learning
Itching to make plans for the future and build on what he’d learned through his mental health training, Gregg started to explore higher education courses.
“It was pretty demoralising at first,” Gregg admits. “Some of the universities I applied to wouldn’t give me a chance because I left school without much in the way of qualifications.”
He adds, “I found it difficult to sit still in a classroom as a child – I just didn’t learn that way.”
For Gregg, discovering the OU was transformative, allowing him to find a way to learn that suited him.
“The OU looks beyond formal qualifications and adapts to different learning styles. The student community is made up of an amazing mix of backgrounds and experiences,” says Gregg.
“I had the freedom to create a study environment that worked for me. It definitely wouldn’t suit everyone – I like to have music on, walk around… I even have a dart board in my office!”
Fascinated by what he was learning, Gregg threw himself into his studies.
“The course was right up my street, and the tutors were great. The content was so interesting, I went down a few rabbit holes and got distracted at times,” Gregg laughs.
Smashing goals
In 2022, the final year of Gregg’s OU degree, an unexpected phone call kick started a return to competitive rowing that would take him to the Paris Paralympic Games, and that spectacular Gold medal win.
“When Lauren called and asked me to partner her in what would be her third Paralympic campaign, I knew she believed in me as a competitor,” Gregg recalls. “Going on that journey with someone is incredible – we were working towards the same goal and formed a true partnership.”
When he wasn’t in the boat training, Gregg was working towards a Masters in Psychology at Bolton University, where he achieved a Distinction.
“OU study ignited my passion for life-long learning – it gave me the confidence take a Masters and now I’m about to start a PhD in exercise rehabilitation,” says Gregg.
Having faced into trauma and come out fighting, Gregg is determined to channel that experience to make a difference in society.
“I’m aiming for a role where I can influence public health policy, particularly around the uptake of exercise in areas where health inequalities exist. We need to create schemes better suited to the communities in most need, and I think I’m the right person for the job.”
Gregg adds, “OU study gave me the confidence to start that journey, I’ll always be grateful.”
Inspired by Gregg’s story?
Check out the moment when Gregg and Lauren took Gold for Team GB.
Gregg was awarded The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund, thanks to the generosity of the OU’s amazing community and The Army Benevolent Fund.
