2025’s Most In-Demand Speakers on Peak Performance in Sports

As we head into 2025, the world of sports continues to evolve, pushing athletes and teams to new heights of performance. Central to this evolution is the growing demand for expert speakers who can inspire, educate, and elevate the mindset of athletes, coaches, and organisations.

What is Peak Performance in Sports?

Peak performance in sports is a mindset that shapes an athlete’s daily choices, decisions, and actions, driving them toward sustained excellence. It’s no longer just about physical abilities; recent research highlights the critical role of emotional intelligence and its connection to high performance. Some theories even explore the spiritual aspect—how deeper values and a sense of purpose can enhance an athlete’s focus and resilience. To achieve true peak performance, it’s essential to integrate all these elements: the body, mind, emotions, and spirit. A holistic approach to performance management addresses each of these facets for lasting success.

Sources: Peak Performance Sports & Harvard Business Review

Who are the Official Most In-Demand Speakers on Peak Performance in Sports in 2025?

This selection of speakers has been thoughtfully assembled based on their impactful contributions to 125 sports and leadership events in 2024 and 2025. Learn how their expertise and experiences can inspire you to elevate your approach to peak performance, fostering resilience, innovation, and success in the competitive world of sports.

• Clive Woodward
• Dave Brailsford
• Bonita Norris
• Derek Redmond
• Laura Kenny
• Roz Savage
• Ben Hunt-Davis
• Jill Scott
• Sarah Storey
• Chris Boardman

1. Sir Clive Woodward

Sir Clive Woodward is a rugby legend and a highly respected speaker on peak performance in sport. As the England Rugby Head Coach, he led the team to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, showcasing his exceptional leadership and strategic skills. With a background as a national player, earning 21 caps for England, and experience as the Director of Sport for the British Olympic Association, Clive has a deep understanding of high-performance dynamics. Now a popular sports pundit and motivational keynote speaker, he shares his expertise on topics like winning culture, leadership, and resilience, inspiring audiences worldwide with his insights gained from over 40 years in the sports industry.

Sir Clive Woodward’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Navigating Uncertain Times
• The DNA of a Champion by Hive Learning
• A Winning Culture
• Relentless Learning
• Tackling Change
• The Power of Data and Technology

2. Sir Dave Brailsford

Sir Dave Brailsford, the former Performance Director of British Cycling, is a recognised authority on the philosophy of marginal gains, which focuses on making small, incremental improvements to achieve remarkable results. His approach transformed British Cycling, leading to Olympic golds and 59 World Championship titles, as well as guiding Team Sky (now Ineos) to Tour de France victories with athletes like Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. As a sought-after speaker, Dave applies his proven methods to inspire corporate teams and organisations, teaching them how marginal gains can drive long-term success. Knighted in 2012 and a multiple award-winner, his expertise continues to resonate across sports and business.

Sir Dave Brailsford’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Marginal Gains
• High Performing Teams
• Leadership
• Personal Development

3. Bonita Norris

Bonita Norris is one of the UK’s most accomplished adventurers and a highly sought-after keynote speaker. At just 22, she became the youngest British woman to summit Mount Everest, later adding to her remarkable achievements by becoming the first British woman to summit Mount Lhotse. With further successful climbs of peaks like Ama Dablam and Kilimanjaro, Bonita has established herself as a trailblazer in mountaineering. As an author, her bestselling memoir The Girl Who Climbed Everest offers insight into her journey of overcoming fear and adversity. Awarded the Best Speaker Storyteller at The Speaker Awards 2024, Bonita’s speeches focus on personal leadership, resilience, and embracing challenges. Her unique blend of real-world experience, engaging storytelling, and empowering messages makes her a perfect choice for inspiring teams on peak performance in sports.

Bonita Norris’ Official Speaking Topics:

• Mountains of the Mind – Inspiring Your Team to Reach New Heights
• In the Death Zone – Utilising Failure for Greater Success
• Marginal Gains – Success by Smallness & Focus Not Fret
• Mindset – It’s Not the Mountain We Conquer, But Ourselves
• Failure – Mistakes are Inevitable, It’s How We Harness Them That Matters
• Resilience – Resilience Comes from Rest, and Resting Well
• Teamship – Be Great, Make Others Great

4. Derek Redmond

Derek Redmond, former World and European Champion, is widely regarded as one of the top peak performance speakers in sports. Known for his resilience and determination, Derek rose to prominence in 1985 when he broke the British 400m record and went on to win gold at the European Championships. Despite injuries that cut his athletic career short, Derek’s high-performance mindset carried him into professional basketball, where he competed against legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. As a former Director of Development for UK Athletics and Group Performance Director at Thomas International, Derek has a wealth of experience in performance management and leadership. His expertise extends to motivational speaking, having inspired over 1 million people globally with his powerful story of overcoming adversity. Derek’s talks focus on building high-performance teams, mental resilience, diversity, and motivation, making him a sought-after speaker for events aiming to elevate performance and drive success.

Derek Redmond’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Diversity & Inclusion
• Dealing with Change
• Resilience
• High Performance Teams
• Motivation & Inspiration

5. Laura Kenny

Laura Kenny is one of the most decorated and inspiring athletes in British history, with an extraordinary career that has redefined excellence in cycling. A five-time Olympic gold medallist and seven-time World Champion, Laura’s journey to success has been marked by determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. From her debut at London 2012, where she won two gold medals, to her most recent triumph at Tokyo 2020, she has demonstrated not only unparalleled physical ability but also mental strength in overcoming personal challenges. Laura is also a passionate advocate for women’s sport, using her platform to promote gender equality and inspire greater participation. With her authentic storytelling and unwavering dedication, Laura connects deeply with audiences, empowering them to achieve success in both sport and life.

Laura Kenny’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Motivation & Inspiration
• Achieving Goals
• Breaking the Glass Ceiling – Inspiring Women to Pursue SLT Roles
• Overcoming Adversity – Mentally & Physically

6. Roz Savage

Roz Savage is an exceptional peak performance speaker, renowned for her ground-breaking achievements as the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. With over 15,000 miles rowed and countless challenges faced at sea, Roz has developed a unique perspective on resilience, leadership, and high-performance mindset. Her journey of overcoming physical and mental barriers in extreme isolation serves as a powerful metaphor for navigating adversity in any field. In her talks, Roz shares invaluable insights into decision-making, creative problem-solving, and pushing beyond perceived limits. As a speaker, she inspires audiences—whether in sports or business—to cultivate mental toughness, embrace challenges, and apply high-performance strategies to achieve lasting success and personal growth.

Roz Savage’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Mindset & Motivation
• Motivation > Fear = Courage
• VUCA: Leadership from the Inside Out
• Re-Thinking Reality: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
• The Best Way To Predict The Future Is To Create It

7. Ben Hunt-Davis

Ben Hunt-Davis MBE is an Olympic Gold medallist and renowned high-performance speaker, celebrated for his success in rowing and his ability to inspire excellence in all areas of life. A member of the Men’s Eight team that won Great Britain’s first Olympic Gold in rowing since 1912, Ben’s journey from athlete to sought-after speaker is built on a foundation of teamwork, goal-setting, and continuous improvement. After retiring from competitive sport, Ben founded Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd, a consultancy that works with top corporations like Barclays, Accenture, and Shell. His talks provide actionable insights on achieving high performance in any industry, drawing on his Olympic experience and expertise in leadership and maximising team success.

Ben Hunt-Davis’ Official Speaking Topic:

• An Inspiring Story of Winning an Olympic Gold Medal

8. Jill Scott

Jill Scott MBE is an inspiring motivational speaker and former professional footballer, known for her passion, energy, and commitment to teamwork. With a 16-year career playing for England’s Lionesses and top clubs like Everton and Manchester City, Jill’s journey in football has been one of resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers for women in sport. As a key player in England’s historic UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 victory, Jill’s influence on and off the pitch is undeniable. Since retiring in 2022, she has become a beloved media personality, winning I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and regularly appearing as a football pundit. Jill’s motivational talks, filled with humour and authenticity, focus on leadership, resilience, and mental toughness, making her a highly sought-after speaker for both athletes and corporate audiences alike.

Jill Scott’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Football at a Club and International Level
• Women’s Rights
• LGBTQ+
• Business/Entrepreneurship
• Leadership and Teamwork
• Keeping Motivation
• Performing Under Pressure

9. Sarah Storey

Dame Sarah Storey is Great Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, with an extraordinary 19 Paralympic gold medals spanning swimming, track, and road cycling. Known for her resilience, versatility, and unrelenting drive for excellence, Sarah is a highly sought-after high-performance speaker. Her career began in swimming, where she earned five gold medals before pivoting to cycling after being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She went on to dominate the sport, setting 11 world records and winning numerous World Championship titles. Sarah’s inspiring journey, which includes two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, showcases the power of determination and adaptability. As a speaker, she captivates audiences with her insights on leadership, perseverance, and the mindset required to achieve peak performance, making her an invaluable resource for organisations seeking to inspire and motivate their teams.

Sarah Storey’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Drive & Determination
• Peak Performance
• Leadership & Teamwork
• Overcoming Adversity
• Sports & The Olympics

10. Chris Boardman

Chris Boardman, CBE, is a former Olympic and World Champion cyclist who has seamlessly transitioned into a sought-after high-performance speaker. Known for his Olympic Gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games and for breaking the world hour record three times, Chris inspires audiences with his stories of personal achievement, innovation, and teamwork. Beyond cycling, Chris is a successful entrepreneur as the Co-Founder of Boardman Bikes and has significantly influenced sustainable transport as Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner and Commissioner of Active Travel England. His insights into building high-performing teams, fostering innovation, and achieving excellence resonate deeply in corporate settings, making him an ideal speaker for organisations seeking to drive success and personal growth.

Chris Boardman’s Official Speaking Topics:

• Innovation Culture
• High Performance Teams
• Personal Excellence

Why are Speakers on Peak Performance in Sports so Important?

Speakers on peak performance in sports are crucial because they inspire and motivate athletes to reach their full potential. The power of role models cannot be underestimated; for example, a survey of 500 youth aged 10-17 found that 55% felt empowered by seeing female athletes succeed, with 83% viewing them as inspirational. This influence extends beyond individual athletes—almost a third of UK families now follow a specific sport after being inspired by a female athlete. Peak performance speakers play a vital role in shaping this mindset, offering the tools and strategies athletes need to achieve greatness and become role models themselves.

Source: UK Sport

Hire an Official 2025 Most In-Demand Speaker on Peak Performance in Sports!

Discover the top peak performance speakers who are shaping the future of athletics and sports excellence in 2025. These experts bring unique insights on resilience, leadership, and teamwork, offering fresh perspectives that can inspire athletes, coaches, and organisations to achieve new heights. Hiring them as speakers will provide your audience with invaluable strategies for success, while celebrating the power of high performance across various disciplines. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase the voices leading change and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of sports.

If you’re interested in bringing one of these world-class peak performance speakers to your next event or would like to explore more about how they can inspire your audience, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team is ready to help you find the perfect speaker to drive success and motivate your team. Contact us at 0203 0070 319 or simply fill out our online contact form to begin planning an event that will leave a lasting impact. Let’s make excellence your next achievement!