Leon Greenwood presenting to a room of corporate delegates at Lidl, with a slide titled My Journey to the Olympics

Speaking

What It Takes to Perform Under Pressure

Lessons from the Olympic journey.

Drawing on his experiences as a Team GB Olympian, multiple World Cup medallist and former police officer, Leon Greenwood delivers keynote speeches that challenge audiences to rethink how they approach performance, teamwork and leadership under pressure.

Leon Greenwood in a Team GB race suit, fist raised in celebration

Topic 01

Relentless performance

Success isn’t guaranteed because you work hard.

After what should have been a normal training session, Leon was left with an injury serious enough that he was told he would never run again. The next three years were spent in rehabilitation, with no promise of where it would lead. It led to the Great Britain bobsleigh team.

This talk is about what kept him going when progress was slow and the outcome was uncertain, and how audiences can apply that to their own goals.

Leon Greenwood speaking on stage alongside three fellow Team GB athletes

Topic 02

Teamwork: different roles, one goal

You can have exceptional individuals and still have a poor team.

Athletes, coaches, mechanics and support staff all do different jobs in a bobsleigh team. Every one of those jobs shows up in the result, and a mistake in any of them costs the whole team.

Leon talks about knowing your own job, understanding everyone else’s, and trusting people to do theirs.

Topic 03

Performing under pressure

You don’t become ready when the spotlight finds you. You become ready in the work nobody sees.

Leon Greenwood and a Team GB teammate in helmets beneath the Olympic rings

For parts of his career Leon was a reserve. He wasn’t the athlete being picked, and nobody could tell him when, or whether, that would change. He still had to train to the same level, earn his place in the team and be ready to step in.

The same applies to someone waiting for a promotion, a first big project or a presentation to the board.

Topic 04

Leadership

Leadership isn’t simply about being the person in charge.

Leon has seen good and bad leadership in two demanding settings: five years in the police and years inside an elite sports team.

His talk looks at how leaders communicate, the example they set and whether people trust them when things get difficult.

Leon Greenwood speaking into a microphone on stage beside a Team GB teammate and an event host

Topic 05

Culture and integrity

How you succeed matters.

Leon is ambitious and doesn’t apologise for it. He also doesn’t believe in winning at any cost. Results built on cutting corners or treating people badly rarely last, and nobody wants to work in a team like that.

This talk is for organisations that want to perform well and be a good place to work. Leon’s view is that the two belong together.

Leon Greenwood seated on stage in a red Team GB jacket, talking with an interviewer

For organisers

Events Leon speaks at

Before each event Leon speaks with the organiser about the audience, the occasion and what they want people to take away. The talk is then shaped around that brief, drawing on the topics above. Leon’s standard keynote runs for approximately 45 minutes, and timings can be adapted to suit the event. As well as keynote speeches, he takes part in panel discussions, interviews and fireside conversations, and audience Q&A, and speaks both in person and virtually.

Corporate Conferences & Keynotes

Olympic lessons in preparation, mindset, teamwork and performing under pressure.
Leadership & Team Events

Experiences and insights relevant to leadership, high-performing teams and organisational culture.

Leon Greenwood in academic gown and cap, speaking from a lectern to graduates in a cathedral

Graduations & Awards Ceremonies

Celebrating achievement. Inspiring what comes next.

Leon Greenwood brings his Olympic journey to graduation ceremonies and awards evenings, sharing the experiences, setbacks and determination behind competing at the highest level. His speeches celebrate achievement while encouraging audiences to approach their next chapter with confidence and ambition.

“Leon’s inspiring speech was a highlight of our graduation ceremony, encouraging graduates to dream big, embrace challenges and remain committed to their ambitions.”

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group2026 Graduation Ceremony

Additional Speaking & Workshop Experience

Enquire About Booking Leon

Bring Leon to your next event

Aim high. Prepare relentlessly. Look after your people.

Tell Leon about your event, your audience and what you want them to leave with.

Enquire about booking Leon