Public Speaking & Keynotes
Resilience. Vulnerability. Growth.
I speak about resilience in a way that’s real, human and grounded in experience. Not the kind of resilience that pretends everything is fine, but the kind that’s forged through loss, challenge and rebuilding yourself piece by piece.
My talks explore what it means to stay open, connected and authentic when life — or leadership — tests you. I share what I’ve learnt through my own journey from Team GB athlete to therapist, and what thousands of hours supporting others have taught me about the human capacity to adapt and grow.
Resilience: The Truth Behind Strength
Modern workplaces talk a lot about resilience. But what does it actually mean? In my keynote, I unpack the myths and share practical insights that help people move from surface-level strength to something deeper and more sustainable.
Key themes include:
The myth of invulnerability — why appearing strong can weaken teams
Resilience as relationship — how connection sustains performance
The turning point — lessons from my own journey through PTSD after rebuilding a life when confronted by trauma, loss and injury
Grounded tools — mindfulness, reflection, and self-leadership in action
Participants walk away with:
A more compassionate understanding of human resilience
Practical ways to manage pressure without burnout
Insights that strengthen trust, openness and performance at work
Why I Speak
Why I Speak
I’ve spent almost a decade as a psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher and consultant, working with professionals across the UK and Europe — from founders and executives to frontline staff.
What I see again and again is that people perform best when they feel safe to be real. My aim as a speaker is to help create cultures where that’s possible.
What Organisations Say
I have delivered resilience talks and workshops for leading organisations including SEGRO PLC, a FTSE 100 real estate investment trust, receiving consistent feedback for hitting the tone of authenticity, clarity, and ability to make psychological ideas practical and relevant to work and leadership.
“Yesterday went down exceptionally well — the team all commented how much they got out of it. We’d love to invite you back James for a deeper dive on creating supportive cultures for leaders.”
— Chief Information Officer, SEGRO PLC
Formats
I tailor each session to your team, event and culture.
Available formats include:
Keynote Talk (30–60 mins) — engaging, story-led and inspiring. Optional Q&A or short group reflective session
Interactive Workshop (2–3 hours) — practical tools and deep dive group reflection session
Panel or Fireside Talks — relaxed, conversational insights
In person or Online — your preference!
Why Book Me
Authentic lived experience of resilience — not theory
5,000+ hours of clinical work with high-performing professionals
A background as a Team GB athlete brings a performance mindset with humility
Delivery that’s both heartfelt and practical
Proven impact — corporate clients often follow on with consulting and coaching work
Book Me to Speak
If you’d like to bring this talk to your conference, leadership day or team event, get in touch.