Jaco Van Gass - Motivational Speaker

south african born jaco van gass was a member of the british armed forces parachute regiment. it was during jaco’s second tour of afghanistan in 2009, after five and a half months and with just two weeks to go when jaco sustained severe life changing injuries. jaco was hit by an rpg (rocket propelled grenade). the injuries he sustained included the loss of his left arm at the elbow, a collapsed left lung, shrapnel wounds to his left side, punctured internal organs, blast wounds to upper thigh, a broken tibia and a fractured knee. despite the physical and mental trauma endured, jaco became a first-class downhill skier, and multiple marathon runner. he was a member of the record-breaking team of wounded soldiers to trek unsupported to the north pole (joined partly by prince harry), and he’s also climbed alaska’s 6000m mt denali, and everest (narrowly missing the summit due to adverse weather). after getting injured and reaching some incredible goals, jaco has been invited to speak al