Jay was born in the War Memorial Hospital in Crickhowell, Wales in 1957

unsurprisingly leading her to a life as a War Widow and Military Family

Researcher.

Grammar School education in the 1960’s meant many like Jay went

undiagnosed with ADHD, in short many of her qualifications were obtained

during her forties when she had mastered how to study with a less than

forgiving brain.

She has had an unusual career path including counselling the terminally ill for

the NHS, dancer, personal trainer, champion bodybuilder, podcaster, author,

and public speaker. Described by many as an extraordinary woman, Jay herself

feels she has had an extraordinary life journey marked by both triumph and

tragedy.

Her lifelong commitment to fitness enabled her to beat the odds and survive

medical emergencies more than once, in 2015 she astonished doctors by

making an unlikely full recovery.

Eventually diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the

prognosis was guarded. At times these life experiences have tested her

spiritual beliefs until she began to understand the deeper meaning of the

journey. Jay found herself on a true ‘Dark Night of the Soul’. The journey

eventually led her to acceptance which after all is the last stage of grief…

Jay published her first book ‘And She Danced’ in 2019, her second book ‘The

Falklands Widow’ followed in 2021.

In 2023 Jay began a new chapter as a Volunteer Speaker for the

Commonwealth War Graves Foundation a role which continues to date. Most

recently her volunteering encompasses recording the Chelsea Pensioners on

the Oral History Project at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

November 2024 saw the publication of ‘The Falklands Fallen’ with Pen & Sword

Military, royalties from which are donated to the Royal Hospital.

With nearly a decade’s experience of Public Speaking Jay’s versatility as a

speaker has seen her talking to diverse audiences. Whether speaking to small

intimate groups, at large conferences, or high-profile events such as St Paul’s

Cathedral representing the families of the ‘Fallen’ in the presence of Royalty,

she is accessible to any audience.

Jay is now committed to sharing knowledge to younger generations as well as

shining a light of hope on those who have endured trauma, let’s explore

Pandoras Box together…