There were gasps from the audience as Paralympian Steve Brown told the story of how he broke his neck.

“Don’t worry I didn’t die,” joked the Minster born-and-raised wheelchair rugby star, to much laughter, during his speech at the Wellbeing Symposium, a conference on managing a happy, healthy workforce.

His tale of tragedy to triumph with his selection for Team GB was a lesson on motivation to everyone inside the Kent Event Centre at the Kent Showground, Detling, on Wednesday.

“You have done 50 things today I am never going to do but I have done 50 things you will never do,” he said.

“People need to be proud of their strengths and work on their weaknesses. I train every day to be the best I can be.

“I have done it all with help. Asking for help does not show weakness. It shows strength. It shows you know you can be better. Surround yourself with the right people and see what you are capable of.”

The theme of this year’s event was mental health, with a poignant speech coming from family barrister Sophia Cannon, a regular TV commentator.

She described the eight Ds of doom which she regularly encounters in her professional life – depression, drugs, diet, death, divorce, disability, disease and denial.

She said: “From my platform, I remember thinking ‘surely people realise when things are going bad?’ Then it happened to me.”

She recounted how raising twins turned her life upside down. She believes the workplace could learn from her children’s experiences at school.

She said: “The first day I took my twins to school, I arrived at an institution which was already effective at supporting wellbeing.

“The idea of being sociable and sitting with your peers is important at school. By the time we go to work, some of us are sitting at our desk eating on our own. It made me wonder why we don’t take more from the school experience?

“Everyone remembers falling and scuffing their knees. Then you went to get a plaster. It was an acknowledgement of your pain but also your bravery.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if employers anticipated the life crises I may face? If a child or parent becomes ill, employees should be allowed to say to employers ‘it’s not my sickness but it is my family and my wellbeing and I need your support here’.”

In another speech, The Sunday Times editorial director Eleanor Mills used the example of Harriet Green, the chief executive of Thomas Cook.

The fitness fanatic believes a healthy body feeds a healthy mind and has packed her board with marathon runners, triathletes and a former national level gymnast.

Mrs Mills said: “In the 21st century, if you are going to be taken seriously you need to look lean, mean and fit for purpose.”

“Some people say the most important thing you can do at work is signal fitness and wilingness if you want to be promoted.”

As well as the programme of speakers, the conference held free workshops and exhibitions for anyone seeking wellbeing tips, advice and techniques.

Details at www.kentwellbeingsymposium.co.uk.