Nathalie McGloin

Racecar Driver

Fueled by support from STANLEY, Nathalie drives home an inspiring message: a disability shouldn’t hold anyone back from competing.
Nathalie McGloin working on a racecar

Nathalie McGloin is the only female tetraplegic race car driver in the world.

 

She’s determined, fearless and on a mission. Ever since she suffered a serious spinal injury as a result of a car accident at the age of 16, inspirational racing driver Nathalie McGloin has been committed to helping others who have endured similar life-changing experiences – and is dedicated to making motorsport for everyone.

She’s also a wheelchair rugby enthusiast, referring to the sport as “my biggest inspiration in life.” Explains Nathalie, “When I first started playing the sport it taught me everything I needed to know about survival, mental toughness and being the best that I could be. It was the sport that helped me come to terms with my spinal injury. Wheelchair rugby taught me that anything was possible. I wouldn’t be racing cars today if I hadn’t found wheelchair rugby.”

Her advice be to aspiring athletes? “Don’t be scared of failure. Failure is just a stepping stone on the path to success. The more you fall down, the more you learn how to get up bigger, better and stronger for the next time. The lows of any sporting journey make tasting success all the sweeter when you achieve it.” Given all she’s accomplished – and her positive take on life, sports and inclusion – it’s an honor to have Nathalie McGloin on our brand partner team.

Nathalie McGloin in a racecar
Nathalie McGloin racecar
Nathalie McGloin in a wheelchair next to her racecar
A racecar driving down a hallway toward the race track
Nathalie McGloin in a racecar wearing a helmet
Nathalie McGloin driving around a race track

A Few Questions...

 

What has been your greatest achievement? 

My greatest achievement will always be becoming the first female tetraplegic to race and rally in the world. Being the first to do something is always pretty special. 

 

What is your next ambition? 

This year I started rallying so my next ambition is to build a rally car. I love sliding around on gravel but it’s completely different to tarmac racing. You almost have to forget everything you knew about driving and retrain your brain to rallying! It’s a challenge I’m ready to accept.

 

How do you relax? 

I’ve recently moved to the countryside so being outdoors helps me relax. I think the slower-paced living helps balance out the fast paced racing and I really enjoy being in my garden. I also love a good box set! You can often find me camped out on the sofa doing marathon box set sessions at the weekends when I’m not racing. 

 

What/Who is your biggest inspiration? 

Wheelchair rugby has been my biggest inspiration in life. When I first started playing the sport it taught me everything I needed to know about survival, mental toughness and being the best that I could be. It was the sport that helped me come to terms with my spinal injury. Wheelchair rugby taught me that anything was possible. I wouldn’t be racing cars today if I hadn’t found wheelchair rugby. 

 

How would people describe you? 

I think people would describe me as tenacious and stubborn! I always say that my stubbornness is my biggest strength and my biggest weakness. People think I’m quite driven and are used to me setting my ambitions fairly high. My family and people close to me would describe me as a slightly softer character than my bravo suggests! I love spending time with my friends and family and being close to the people I care about is really important to me. 

 

What would your advice be to aspiring, up and coming athletes? 

Don’t be scared of failure. Failure is just a stepping stone on the path to success. The more you fall down, the more you learn how to get up bigger, better and stronger for the next time. The lows of any sporting journey make tasting success all the sweeter when you achieve it.