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Nicola Barke is a dynamic and inspiring high-performance speaker who brings a unique blend of grit, discipline, and authenticity to every stage she steps onto. Known as “The Burmese Python”, Nicola is an undefeated professional boxer with a diverse martial arts background, including world titles in Taekwondo and experience in Lethwei and kickboxing. Off the canvas, she is equally impressive – a financial professional at HSBC, a passionate advocate for women in combat sports, and a sought-after speaker for her powerful insights into resilience, mindset, and performance under pressure.
Nicola’s journey began in Hertfordshire, where she was born in 1993. From a young age, she displayed an extraordinary drive to excel in physically and mentally demanding arenas. Her early success came in Taekwondo, where she rose to the top, claiming a world championship title. Eager to test herself further, she went on to compete in Lethwei – a traditional Burmese martial art known as one of the world’s most brutal combat sports. These formative years instilled in Nicola a deep respect for discipline, adaptability, and courage, all of which now shape her message as a speaker.
Since turning professional in boxing in 2021, Nicola has maintained a perfect record of 5 wins in the super lightweight division. Her athleticism and strategic mind have allowed her to overcome opponents without relying on knockout power, demonstrating her skill, stamina, and mental fortitude. Alongside her sporting career, Nicola manages a demanding role at HSBC and remains an engaging presence online, particularly through her platforms where she shares insights into life as an athlete and professional.
Nicola is hired as a high-performance speaker because she embodies the qualities leaders and teams aspire to – resilience, clarity, adaptability, and purpose. She connects with a wide range of audiences, from corporate teams to young athletes, using her journey to spark motivation and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. Her authenticity and lived experience resonate deeply
Nicola Barke is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“You were so inspiring Nicola M Barke. Absolutely smashed it!”
“I have had nothing but positive feedback from the attendees, lots saying that your panel was their favourite and that you really opened their eyes to what actually goes on in the athlete world.”
The High-Performance Speakers Agency is the UK’s leading bureau for teamwork, leadership, and marginal gains speakers. We hire speakers for corporate conferences and events across the world and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes sportspeople, business leaders, adventurers and more, to ensure audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on optimised performance.
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