When resilience becomes a lifestyle and purpose becomes a calling, impact naturally follows. Adeshola Akanji has built a life rooted in service, empowerment, and visibility. As the Founder of Ultimate Royal UK, a public speaking, coaching, and mentoring organization, she is committed to helping individuals amplify their voices, embrace their strengths, and advocate for themselves in every space they step into. Her work is informed by more than 17 years in the NHS, where she champions disability inclusion, wellbeing, and equitable recruitment, using her own lived experiences as a catalyst for change. From the runway at London Fashion Week to having her portrait displayed at the Louvre Museum, Adeshola continues to redefine what it means to be seen, valued, and authentically represented.
Fancy: You founded Ultimate Royal UK with a mission to empower individuals to amplify their voices. What moment or experience first showed you the importance of self-advocacy and inspired you to build this platform?
Adeshola: The turning point came in 2022 when I was admitted to the ICU after a series of health challenges. Before that, I had already endured homelessness when my landlord failed to pay his mortgage despite my consistent rent payments. Living in council accommodation for over a year while juggling single parenthood and work tested me deeply. While in the hospital, I realized that if I didn’t advocate for myself, no one else would. I had to fight for the correct diagnoses, resources, and support. That experience awakened my self-advocacy. It inspired me to volunteer and support others living with long-term conditions, disabilities, and personal hardships. Eventually, it led me to build Ultimate Royal UK to help others find their voice and spark positive change.
Fancy: You’ve spent more than seventeen years serving within the NHS. How has your work in disability inclusion, wellbeing, and equitable recruitment shaped your views on what true workplace inclusion looks like?
Adeshola: My journey showed me that while progress exists, many barriers remain. People with disabilities still face structural challenges that impact wellbeing, access to resources, and career progression. The social model of disability taught me that individuals are not the issue. The barriers society creates are. True inclusion is not simply representation. It is education, awareness, support, and recruitment practices that allow people to thrive. My mission has been to coach, mentor, and empower individuals to recognize their worth and advocate confidently for what they deserve.
Fancy: You wear many titles, including founder, coach, mentor, model, and advocate. Which role has challenged you the most, and which has transformed you the most?
Adeshola: Advocacy has been the most challenging and the most transformative. It takes courage to confront imposter syndrome, systemic barriers, and the added pressures of being a Black woman with disabilities. Yet advocacy shaped me into someone who supports others while continuing to grow myself. Hosting a disability podcast, sharing my story publicly, and hearing colleagues say others in my position might have given up are reminders of why the work matters. Advocacy helped me evolve into someone who not only survives adversity but uses it to uplift others.
Fancy: Your modeling journey began as a childhood dream but has grown into a platform for representation. How has fashion allowed you to champion empowerment differently?
Adeshola: My modeling journey was reignited by a chance encounter. Walking runways with a balance disorder was not just about fashion; it was about reclaiming visibility and breaking limiting beliefs. Modeling allows me to challenge narratives about disability, celebrate uniqueness, and represent others who feel unseen. Through modeling, I’ve supported charities, volunteered as a storyteller, and participated in community events like an autism walk. For me, fashion became another space where I could say to others: you belong, your voice matters, and your presence is powerful.
Fancy: With your portrait exhibited at the Louvre and titles like Classic Miss British Beauty and Ms London City, how do you remain grounded while navigating such visible and impactful spaces?
Adeshola: My faith and humility keep me grounded. I am grateful for every honor, but what truly matters is the impact I can create. Coaching, mentoring, and volunteering keep me connected to purpose. Earlier this year, I influenced treatment pathways for autistic individuals with eating disorders. Achievements like that mean more to me than any crown. They remind me that visibility is only meaningful when it helps others.
Fancy: Much of your work centers on helping people advocate for themselves and embrace their strengths. What practical strategy can anyone use to begin advocating for themselves today?
Adeshola: Begin by understanding your why. When you know why advocacy matters to you, it becomes your anchor. A clear why gives you the courage to speak up, share your story with confidence, and stand firm in your values. Advocacy is not about being loud; it is about being aligned and intentional.
Fancy: As one of the first Black women from the UK we have interviewed, can you share what it is like to navigate the world as a Black woman there?
Adeshola: It has been a balance of both privilege and challenge. While I have accessed resources that supported my health and wellbeing, I have also faced discrimination, harassment, and underrepresentation in research and clinical understanding. Health inequalities and systemic barriers remain a reality. Advocacy has been essential not only for me but for those who feel unable to speak up. It is how I secured the support I needed and how I continue to push for equity.
Fancy: And the signature question. How would you describe your SwagHer? What makes Adeshola… Adeshola?
Adeshola: I am multifaceted, and my smile lights up every room I enter. My essence is captured in the phrase: My disability is not a reflection of my worth; it highlights my authenticity and individuality. Being an introverted Black woman with a disability does not diminish my potential. It magnifies my resilience, strengthens my purpose, and shapes my ability to inspire others. My SwagHer is the courage to stand in my truth and empower others to do the same.
Readers can connect with Adeshola here:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adeshola-akanji
Instagram: @ultimateroyaluk
Website: www.ultimateroyaluk.co
