Michelle Turner

Michelle Turner is a former RAF sergeant who served for twenty‑one years before her life was dramatically altered by a heart condition that developed during deployment.

A severe viral infection left her with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), causing her heart rate to surge without warning and leading to regular, unannounced collapses — at one point totalling fifty in a short period. The unpredictability of her condition left Michelle afraid to leave her home, worried about collapsing in public, until her husband encouraged her to apply for the Invictus Games from her hospital bed. Returning to a training camp reconnected her with the military community she had deeply missed, offering reassurance, confidence and a renewed sense of belonging.  

She went on to represent Team UK at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017, competing in swimming, indoor rowing and powerlifting, and later served as Vice Captain for the 2018 Sydney Games, where the role allowed her to support and advocate for others on their recovery journeys. Michelle credits the Games with helping her rebuild her identity and become a role model for her young daughter, who once saved her life by calling 999 when she collapsed at home. Today, Michelle continues to give back by supporting other wounded, injured and sick veterans through the Invictus community, embodying the message that while life may change, recovery, hope and progress remain possible.