Born in Stirling, Scotland, Lesley Paterson’s passion for sports was evident from a young age. At seven, she broke gender norms by joining the boys’ rugby team at Stirling Rugby Club, being the only girl among 250 boys.
When regulations ended her rugby pursuits at 14, she transitioned to fell running and eventually triathlon, encouraged by her father, who founded the Stirling Triathlon Club. By 16, she represented Scottish and British triathlon squads, securing the Scottish Junior Championship in 1997 and placing 15th at the 1999 World Junior Triathlon Championships.
Lesley Paterson | Triathlon Career Highlights
Despite early successes, Lesley faced setbacks in her early 20s, missing out on Olympic and Commonwealth Games selections. Disillusioned, she stepped away from competitive triathlon. However, a return to the sport in 2007 marked a new chapter. Embracing the off-road XTERRA triathlon format, she thrived, winning the XTERRA World Championship titles in 2011, 2012, and 2018 and the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in 2012 and 2018.Â
Her athletic achievements were not just personal milestones; they also funded her filmmaking aspirations. Prize money from races helped maintain the film rights to All Quiet on the Western Front, a project she was passionate about bringing to the screen.
Lesley Paterson | 16-Year Film Passion to Make All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front became the passion project of Lesley and her writing partner Ian Stokell in 2006 when they first secured the rights to adapt Erich Maria Remarque’s classic anti-war novel. At the time, Lesley was beginning her journey in screenwriting, but she was deeply committed to giving this seminal work a modern cinematic voice.
Keeping the rights, however, required an annual renewal fee of up to $15,000 – a cost she and Ian Stokell personally shouldered for 16 years. Lesley often relied on prize money from her elite triathlon races to fund these renewals, even competing with a broken shoulder to secure enough funds. The film symbolised her perseverance, grit, and belief in the story’s relevance to contemporary audiences.
The finished film, directed by Edward Berger and released by Netflix in 2022, is a German-language adaptation that delivers a harrowing, visceral portrayal of the First World War through the eyes of a young German soldier. Unlike previous versions, this adaptation added new narrative layers and cinematic realism, earning widespread critical acclaim for its emotional power and stark visual storytelling.
It went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best International Feature Film. It received seven BAFTA Awards, among them Best Adapted Screenplay for Lesley Paterson, Edward Berger, and Ian Stokell. The project was hailed not only as a triumph of filmmaking but also as a remarkable testament to the determination of its creators – especially Lesley, whose commitment spanned nearly two decades and multiple career paths.
Lesley Paterson | Career Highlights
What stands out with Lesley is how successful she has been in more than one career, showing determination and resilience in all she has done. These are stand-out highlights in her athletics and film careers:
Professional Athlete
– 5x off-road triathlon world champion (XTERRA world champion 2011, 2012, 2018; World Triathlon Cross Champion 2012, 2018)
– 6x XTERRA USA National Champion (2012, 2013, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)
– XTERRA European Champion (2015)
– Ironman 70.3 wins (2011)
– Multiple US Cup and World Cup Mountain Bike wins and podium places
– 50+ race wins spanning her 17-year pro athlete career
Film
– 4 x Oscars for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022)
– 7 x BAFTAs for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022)
– National Board of Review – Best Adapted Screenplay for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022)
– San Diego Film Critics Society Award – Best Adapted Screenplay for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022)
Lesley Paterson | The Brave Athlete Book
Lesley is co-author of the acclaimed book The Brave Athlete: Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion, written with her late husband and performance psychologist Dr Simon Marshall. The book blends sports psychology, neuroscience, and personal anecdotes to help athletes understand and manage the complex emotions and mental blocks that can hinder performance. Presented with humour, candour, and evidence-based advice, the book tackles everything from fear of failure and self-doubt to motivation and identity.
Designed for endurance athletes – but widely applicable to anyone facing mental challenges – the book offers tools to improve confidence, focus, and resilience. It has become a go-to resource in the endurance sports community and beyond, praised for its relatability, clarity, and emotional honesty.Â
Lesley Paterson | Braveheart Coaching
In parallel with her sporting and creative pursuits, Lesley Paterson co-founded Braveheart Coaching, a performance and mindset coaching business combining elite athletic training and psychological conditioning. Lesley has coached athletes of all levels –Â from amateur age-groupers to professionals – offering bespoke training plans and mental skills development.
What sets Braveheart Coaching apart is its dual focus on physical training and emotional wellbeing. Athletes are not only supported in reaching their performance goals but also in understanding the mental barriers that often block progress. Lesley brings her lived experience as a world champion and her creative, empathetic approach to coaching, helping clients build confidence, purpose, and resilience.Â
Lesley Paterson | Personal Challenge
In 2023, Lesley faced a profound personal challenge when her husband and creative partner, Simon Marshall, was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. The couple documented their journey, raising funds for treatment and continuing their creative endeavours. Marshall passed away in June 2024, and in a heartfelt tribute, Lesley transformed his ashes into a diamond, symbolising enduring love and resilience.
Lesley Paterson | Speaker
Lesley is a dynamic and compelling public speaker whose life story and achievements captivate audiences across the globe. She has shared her insights on perseverance, mental toughness, and embracing adversity at diverse venues, including corporate conferences and educational institutions. Her motivational speeches often draw from her personal experiences, such as overcoming self-doubt and channeling challenges into opportunities for growth.
Lesley Paterson | Speaker Topics
She personalises talks to meet the needs of the organisation and the audiences she is addressing, but these are popular speaking topics:
– Mindset and Performance
– Overcoming Adversity
– Stoicism and Mental Preparation
– Athletic Identity and Motivation:
– Entrepreneurship and Resilience
– The Power of Persistence
Why Book Lesley Paterson?
Lesley is a truly unique speaker whose story bridges elite sport, award-winning filmmaking, and personal resilience. A five-time world champion triathlete and Oscar-winning screenwriter, she offers audiences a rare combination of physical grit, creative determination, and mental toughness.
Whether speaking to corporate leaders, creative professionals, or sports communities, Lesley inspires with powerful lessons on perseverance, overcoming failure, and achieving ambitious goals against the odds. Her energetic, authentic style connects with audiences of all backgrounds, making her an exceptional choice for events seeking motivation with real impact and substance.
Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book award-winning filmmaker and triathlete Lesley Paterson for your next event.
