JJ Chalmers: From Afghanistan to a New Path
Location
The Abbey Church of Dunfermline
About
As part of Dunfermline Abbey’s Pilgrimage Month 2026, JJ Chalmers will share his remarkable story of service in Afghanistan, recovery from life-changing injuries, and the new path that opened up for him.
Tickets: £15
John-James ‘JJ’ Chalmers is a former Royal Marine Commando and schoolteacher, an Invictus Games competitor and medal winner, and now a well-known television presenter. After almost losing his life while serving in Afghanistan, JJ underwent hours of surgery and months of painful rehabilitation. His determination to rebuild his life eventually saw him compete at the Invictus Games and become part of Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage team.
JJ began his working life as a teacher, having joined the Royal Marine Reserves while at university. After several years of teaching, he transferred to the Regular Royal Marines and was deployed to Helmand, Afghanistan, shortly afterwards.
As a Lance Corporal, JJ worked alongside the Afghan Army and Police, helping to build relationships with local communities. While patrolling a village, the team was warned about a suspected bomb-making factory in a house. As they entered the building, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, killing two members of JJ’s team and seriously injuring him.
A week later, JJ woke in hospital in Birmingham. He faced months of operations and gruelling rehabilitation, along with some of the lowest points of his life, both physically and mentally. Yet he determined never to give up and, once recovered, never to allow his ‘new body’ to limit what he could achieve.
JJ competed in the 2015 Invictus Games, where he captained the Trike Cycling team to a total of eight medals, including gold and bronze medals for himself. In one memorable moment, JJ and two teammates, despite competing against one another, demonstrated the true spirit of the Games by choosing to finish joint first in their Recumbent Cycling race.
Following the Games, JJ sort a new challenge and joined Channel Four's presenting team for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, becoming one of the lead hosts of its coverage.
In inspiring, thought-provoking and surprisingly entertaining presentations, JJ explores how we can all recognise our own achievements and potential. He reminds audiences that you don’t need to experience a life-changing event to discover what you are capable of. We all have experiences to draw upon when times are difficult, and we all have the capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Drawing on his experience and the determination forged through his Royal Marines training, JJ speaks about refusing to settle for ‘average’ and the importance of attitude, resilience and having the right people around you. His story is ultimately one of adapting to dramatic change, finding a new purpose and refusing to be defined by adversity.
JJ’s broadcasting career has seen him present Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympic Games, while for the BBC he has presented the Invictus Games and both the Summer and Winter Olympics. He has also been an integral part of the BBC Events team, covering the funerals of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and co-hosted The People Remember, a series leading up to Remembrance Day.
Alongside his broadcasting work, JJ has made numerous guest appearances and featured in a range of factual programmes. He has also taken on the challenge of Strictly Come Dancing.
Join us at Dunfermline Abbey during Pilgrimage Month 2026 to hear JJ share his extraordinary story of courage, recovery, resilience and discovering a new path in life.
Tickets: £15
John-James ‘JJ’ Chalmers is a former Royal Marine Commando and schoolteacher, an Invictus Games competitor and medal winner, and now a well-known television presenter. After almost losing his life while serving in Afghanistan, JJ underwent hours of surgery and months of painful rehabilitation. His determination to rebuild his life eventually saw him compete at the Invictus Games and become part of Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage team.
JJ began his working life as a teacher, having joined the Royal Marine Reserves while at university. After several years of teaching, he transferred to the Regular Royal Marines and was deployed to Helmand, Afghanistan, shortly afterwards.
As a Lance Corporal, JJ worked alongside the Afghan Army and Police, helping to build relationships with local communities. While patrolling a village, the team was warned about a suspected bomb-making factory in a house. As they entered the building, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, killing two members of JJ’s team and seriously injuring him.
A week later, JJ woke in hospital in Birmingham. He faced months of operations and gruelling rehabilitation, along with some of the lowest points of his life, both physically and mentally. Yet he determined never to give up and, once recovered, never to allow his ‘new body’ to limit what he could achieve.
JJ competed in the 2015 Invictus Games, where he captained the Trike Cycling team to a total of eight medals, including gold and bronze medals for himself. In one memorable moment, JJ and two teammates, despite competing against one another, demonstrated the true spirit of the Games by choosing to finish joint first in their Recumbent Cycling race.
Following the Games, JJ sort a new challenge and joined Channel Four's presenting team for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, becoming one of the lead hosts of its coverage.
In inspiring, thought-provoking and surprisingly entertaining presentations, JJ explores how we can all recognise our own achievements and potential. He reminds audiences that you don’t need to experience a life-changing event to discover what you are capable of. We all have experiences to draw upon when times are difficult, and we all have the capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Drawing on his experience and the determination forged through his Royal Marines training, JJ speaks about refusing to settle for ‘average’ and the importance of attitude, resilience and having the right people around you. His story is ultimately one of adapting to dramatic change, finding a new purpose and refusing to be defined by adversity.
JJ’s broadcasting career has seen him present Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympic Games, while for the BBC he has presented the Invictus Games and both the Summer and Winter Olympics. He has also been an integral part of the BBC Events team, covering the funerals of both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and co-hosted The People Remember, a series leading up to Remembrance Day.
Alongside his broadcasting work, JJ has made numerous guest appearances and featured in a range of factual programmes. He has also taken on the challenge of Strictly Come Dancing.
Join us at Dunfermline Abbey during Pilgrimage Month 2026 to hear JJ share his extraordinary story of courage, recovery, resilience and discovering a new path in life.
