International Women’s Day – Sam’s Story

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Squadron Leader Samantha May, an inspirational athlete whose success at the recent Invictus Games serves as a reminder of the power of sport.   

Sam embodies what it means to push boundaries and inspire others.  Her journey is not just about athletic achievement, but about proving that determination knows no limits – empowering women to achieve greatness and reclaim their identity beyond an injury.  We invited Sam to share her story.

“I joined the RAF as a full time regular in 2017, after being a member of the University Air Squadron whilst studying.  I graduated from officer training in 2019 and was first posted to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, where I worked in intensive care looking after critically ill civilians and service personnel returning from abroad.  Since 2021 I have been an emergency medicine specialty trainee, with the long-term goal being to qualify as an emergency medicine and pre-hospital consultant.  

I have always loved sport, and since my time in the University Air Squadron I have been involved in RAF Sport.  Athletics was my main sport of choice, specialising in the pole vault.  I competed for the RAF internationally on multiple occasions at the AIRCOM championships, where I often finished on the podium.   

Over the years the RAF Central Fund has provided financial support both indirectly through the Sports Associations and directly through their Individual Sports Grants, helping to fund necessary kit and equipment such as a protective bag for my pole vault poles.  I have played the Sports Lottery for several years in support of the charity’s work, and although I’ve yet to win a prize, I will continue to play as it is such an important way of supporting sporting opportunities for those in the RAF.   

The highlight of my military athletics career was setting the UK Armed Forces record at the Inter-Services Championships in 2023.  It was an honour and a privilege to lead the team as the women’s captain between 2019-2023 but I was unfortunately stopped in my tracks by an injury that changed everything. I dislocated my knee and tore several ligaments including my ACL and both my menisci.   

My knee was reconstructed using tendons from my uninjured leg, but recovery was slow, and complications led to further surgery.  I was unable to do any clinical work for a year after being injured and was largely at home on my own.  Walking was a struggle, let alone being able to run or jump, and so I stepped back from my role as RAF Athletics captain.  I was struggling with chronic pain, and I was frustrated about not being back at work.  I felt like I had lost my identity both as a doctor and as an athlete, and my mood was very low.   

I went on a Royal British Legion Battle-Back course where some of the other attendees and the counsellors helped me see what was going on and start a plan towards recovery. They suggested that I should apply for the Invictus Games, and I was lucky enough to be selected.  I participated in monthly training camps for the six months leading up to the Games in Vancouver and Whistler in February 2025. 

Through Invictus I was able to take part in several sports, including getting back into swimming for which I received Central Fund support for training equipment.  I was also introduced to wheelchair basketball, which I loved as it meant I could be competitive and play with a team again. It is a common misconception that you need to use a wheelchair day-to-day to play wheelchair basketball, but that is not the case.   

It is an inclusive sport, catering to a wide range of injuries and disabilities, I would encourage anyone with a long-term injury or illness to try wheelchair basketball!  Additionally, with this year being the first ever winter hybrid Games, I was named as the vice-captain of the ski team.  Being back in leadership roles and competing in sport really helped me to start feeling like myself again and I am proud to say that I won two bronze medals at the Games, in both swimming and skiing. 

Team UK is a fantastic group of people who helped me overcome the challenges of being injured and the uncertainty that bought. I think the wider camaraderie and value of sport should not be underestimated.   

I would strongly recommend anyone, but especially those finding themselves in a tough situation, to get involved with sport. Sport not only improves your fitness, but can give you structure, goals and friendships, to name just a few of the benefits. Whilst sport might feel like a luxury when we are working at capacity and with the operational tempo increasing, the resilience sport helps foster will ultimately benefit our service in the longer term.  

The military is a male dominated environment, and so naturally sporting teams are often that way too.  However, I don’t think that should discourage women from getting involved.  I’ve found the teams I’ve been involved with to be really supportive and open to furthering women’s sport.  

For example, RAF Athletics recently hosted a ‘Health and Performance Symposium’ with topics focusing on female athlete health, such as training during pregnancy and the perinatal period. Military sport is a fantastic way of meeting other likeminded women outside of your profession.   

It’s inspiring to be around strong female athletes and see what we are capable of achieving both professionally and personally.”