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Performance psychologist and mental health advocate

Helen Richardson-Walsh

Helen Richardson-Walsh played international hockey for Great Britain across four Olympics, winning gold at Rio 2016 and earning an MBE for her contributions to the sport. A qualified Performance Psychologist, she speaks on resilience, mental health, and overcoming setbacks.

Trusted by Toptal, Roche, BT

Helen Richardson-Walsh
Helen Richardson-Walsh

Helen Richardson-Walsh

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

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Helen Richardson-Walsh's biography

At a glance

  • Gold Medalist at Rio 2016 Olympics with GB Women's Hockey Team
  • First same-sex married couple to win Olympic medals together
  • Awarded MBE for contributions to hockey
Helen Richardson-Walsh, a renowned midfielder, began her international hockey career for Great Britain (GB) in 1999 at 17, quickly making her Olympic debut in 2000. She played a pivotal role in the GB women's team's success, participating in four Olympics and winning gold in Rio 2016. Helen's illustrious career includes a Commonwealth bronze, two silvers, a bronze at London 2012, and a European Championship in 2015. Helen and her wife, Kate Richardson-Walsh, also made history as the first same-sex married couple to win Olympic medals together. Despite facing career-threatening injuries, including back surgeries and ankle procedures, she overcame these challenges and depression, returning to lead the GB team to victory. After nearly 300 international appearances and an MBE award for her contributions to hockey, Helen now plays at club level in the UK. She is an ambassador for several organisations, holds a psychology degree, and has a master's in Organisational Psychology. She previously worked as a Performance Psychologist for Tottenham Hotspur Women, and now holds sport psychology roles with England Rugby, England and Great Britain Hockey, and British Lacrosse, alongside co-founding performance consultancy Be Create Inspire.

Helen's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Belonging Boosts Performance: Inclusion’s Impact in High-Pressure Settings
Helen Richardson-Walsh, one half of the first same-sex married couple to win Olympic gold, shares her journey of inclusion in elite sports. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and belonging in unlocking both individual potential and team cohesion. By embracing her authentic self, Helen thrived alongside her teammates. Attendees will learn practical strategies for fostering inclusive cultures that empower individuals, celebrate diversity, and enhance overall performance in their organizations.
The Inner Game: Mental Tools from Elite Sport
Helen Richardson-Walsh, an Olympic gold medalist, shares her experience of performing under extreme pressure. Through compelling stories and insights from sport psychology, she presents effective mental strategies utilized by elite athletes. Attendees will gain practical tools to maintain composure, adapt to challenges, and excel when it counts. This talk is designed for anyone eager to elevate their performance, unlock their potential, and cultivate sustainable high performance in high-pressure situations.
Winning Together: An Olympic-Winning Approach To Building Better Teams
Helen Richardson-Walsh highlights that a consistently high-performing team is built on its members. She explains that an empowered culture, aligned with a shared vision and values, drives both individual and collective success. By valuing each member's role, teams can collaboratively define their culture. Helen will share effective processes and psychological tools to improve self-awareness and team dynamics. Attendees will learn how to unlock their team's potential, ensuring consistent performance and leveraging strengths for collective success.
Strong Enough to Struggle
Helen Richardson-Walsh shares her personal journey of overcoming mental health challenges after career-threatening injuries in her keynote. She emphasizes that true resilience involves recognizing difficulties, cultivating healthy habits, and seeking support rather than merely pushing through. Attendees will gain practical tools and insights to protect well-being in high-pressure environments, fostering a culture of safety and support that enables individuals and teams to perform at their best.

Why we recommend booking Helen

Helen's journey from overcoming career-threatening injuries to Olympic gold showcases unparalleled resilience and determination, making her an inspiring figure for any team or business. Her experience in high-pressure environments, both on the field and in her role as a Performance Psychologist, provides invaluable insights into team dynamics and mental toughness. Booking Helen as a speaker will not only motivate your team but also equip them with practical strategies for achieving excellence, regardless of the challenges they face.

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Trusted by Toptal, Roche, BT

Testimonials

I was really impressed to hear about Helen's [Richardson-Walsh] personal story and the kind of mind set she had at every step of her career journey.

BT

Having Helen Richardson-Walsh speak was a great idea as her stories/statements have Olympic credibility and I thought her handing her medals around was really (really) cool. I was also very impressed by the Troika session - I thought this was very powerful and not something that I'd done before.

BT

What an incredible session with Helen. Her story of resilience and triumph was truly motivating, and her insights on team dynamics were incredibly engaging. You could feel the energy in the room – Helen lit a spark in our team! We're leaving with practical strategies and a renewed sense of determination. Thank you, Helen, for an inspiring International Women's Day talk!

Laura Noon

Operations Manager, Glassbox Digital

Featured Projects

Helen Richardson-Walsh - Winning Together: An Olympic-Winning Approach To Building Better Teams book cover

frequently asked questions

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