Ultimate Royal UK: Empowering Women and Disabilities through Resilience and Leadership

Rising with Resilience: The Ultimate Royal Journey

In January 2026, a digital billboard in Times Square, New York, showcased a powerful message of empowerment and representation. This wasn’t just any advertisement; it was a global symbol of visibility for women, particularly those with disabilities. At the heart of this monumental moment was Adeshola Akanji, the founder of Ultimate Royal UK, a platform designed to break down societal barriers and empower women and individuals living with long-term health conditions and disabilities.

Adeshola's journey is a testament to resilience. As a Black woman living with multiple disabilities and neurodivergence, she has faced challenges that many would see as insurmountable. But instead of allowing these challenges to limit her, she has turned them into a beacon of influence. From hospital admissions to chronic health flare-ups, Adeshola’s perseverance led her to become a model, speaker, advocate, and the founder of Ultimate Royal UK,  a movement where challenges don’t diminish one's worth but refine their strength.

From Hospital Beds to Runways: The Birth of a Purpose-Led Platform

Ultimate Royal UK is a purpose-led platform founded by Adeshola Akanji, driven by a deep desire to empower individuals, particularly women and those living with long-term health conditions and disabilities, to lead, thrive, and rise with confidence. This mission is deeply personal and rooted in Adeshola’s lived experiences navigating systemic barriers, health crises, and personal adversity.

What began as a deeply personal mission soon evolved into a multifaceted brand blending advocacy, leadership, and creativity. Adeshola’s modeling career, which began in her 40s, is one of the cornerstones of this journey. She defied age norms and shattered misconceptions about disability in the fashion industry. Her modeling career saw her walking the runway at London Fashion Week, appearing in editorial spreads for Face of Woha Magazine, Iconique Magazine, and Hoinser Magazine, and becoming an iconic figure for disabled fashion representation. Yet, her story isn’t just about beauty and fashion; it's about visibility, breaking stereotypes, and showing the world that disability and neurodivergence do not limit a person's worth,  they amplify their voice.

Shaping the Future of Leadership and Inclusion

Ultimate Royal UK stands at the intersection of lived experience, professional expertise, and intentional leadership. It provides coaching, mentoring, speaking engagements, and advocacy services focused on disability inclusion, neurodiversity awareness, wellbeing, and impactful leadership. The platform was created to challenge limiting narratives around age, disability, and identity, transforming perceived barriers into strengths.

Adeshola’s work isn’t just about advocacy for people with disabilities; it’s about living the message. Through coaching, mentoring, and speaking engagements, she brings an authentic voice to conversations about disability, neurodiversity, and inclusive leadership. Her work has been recognized within the fashion and modeling world, as well as in leadership and corporate spaces. She contributes to policy discussions on disability inclusion, workplace adjustments, and neurodiversity, while also coaching women and disabled individuals on how to step confidently into leadership roles.

As a multi-award-winning public speaker and advocate, Adeshola has been recognized for her contributions in multiple fields, including leadership, beauty, and advocacy. Her honors include Model of the Year 2025, Women of Heart Award for Multifaceted Coach, Speaker, Advocate & Leader, and Beauty and Brains Empowerment Award. These accolades are not just milestones in her career but markers of a larger movement she is leading to redefine leadership and beauty standards.

The Power of Visibility: Redefining Beauty and Leadership

One of the most powerful aspects of Adeshola’s journey is her commitment to visibility. When her image was displayed on a digital billboard in Times Square, it wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a moment that sparked a global conversation about inclusion. Seeing a Black woman with disabilities featured prominently in such a public space is a rare sight,  one that challenges traditional narratives about who deserves to be seen and celebrated.

But Adeshola’s influence doesn’t end with her presence on the runway or in the media. She is also the host of a podcast dedicated to disability-focused conversations, where she amplifies lived experiences and discusses the importance of creating inclusive work environments. Through this platform, she connects with others who share similar stories and advocates for the rights of disabled individuals in the workplace.

Transforming Adversity into Authority

Adeshola’s philosophy can be summed up in one powerful phrase: “Your challenges do not diminish your royalty,  they refine it.” This belief is at the heart of Ultimate Royal UK and is the core message that drives everything the platform represents. For Adeshola, resilience is not about surviving quietly; it’s about rising with intent and transforming adversity into authority.

In a world where disability is often hidden or minimized, Adeshola chooses to lead with both strength and vulnerability. She represents a generation of women who are not waiting for permission to lead but are stepping into their roles with purpose, authenticity, and resilience. Ultimate Royal UK is not just a brand; it is a movement,  one that encourages individuals, especially women with disabilities, to claim their space and lead boldly.

The Legacy of Purposeful Leadership

Adeshola’s journey is proof that visibility and impact are not mutually exclusive. Through her advocacy, modeling, public speaking, and coaching, she is not only transforming the lives of others but also reshaping the narrative around what leadership and inclusion should look like.

With over 17 years of leadership experience in the NHS and a wealth of creative expertise in the fashion industry, Adeshola offers a unique blend of professional insight, personal experience, and strategic advocacy. Ultimate Royal UK stands as a beacon for those who are often overlooked, reminding them that their lived experiences,  whether shaped by disability, neurodivergence, or adversity,  are not liabilities but powerful leadership assets.

Empowering the Next Generation

The impact of Ultimate Royal UK extends beyond Adeshola’s own journey. It is about inspiring the next generation of women to rise with confidence, embrace their challenges, and lead authentically. Through workshops, talks, and coaching, Adeshola helps women redefine what it means to be a leader, a woman of power, and a voice of influence.

She continues to work tirelessly to build a world where disability is seen not as a limitation but as an asset, and where women, regardless of their age or health conditions, are empowered to rise to their fullest potential. Ultimate Royal UK is paving the way for a more inclusive, compassionate, and empowered future.

Join the Movement

If you’re ready to challenge the conventional narratives around leadership, disability, and visibility, join Adeshola Akanji and the Ultimate Royal UK community. Embrace resilience, authenticity, and transformative leadership. Visit the Ultimate Royal UK website or connect with Adeshola on LinkedIn and Instagram to learn more about how you can begin your own journey toward empowerment.

Because, as Adeshola reminds us, “Resilience is not about surviving quietly,  it is about rising intentionally.”