29558
Ollie Phillips is a former professional rugby player and founder of Optimist Performance. He has transitioned from a career as a world-class professional rugby player to a business leader and motivator in the corporate world.
Known for his dynamic rugby career, during which he was recognised as one of the top sevens players in the world, Ollie has since become a respected figure in the worlds of adventure, leadership, and corporate performance.
In 2018, Ollie founded Optimist Performance to provide a platform for his positive messages and experience as an advisor, coach, and motivational speaker.
Ollie delivers leadership, teamwork, and culture workshops for a wide variety of global clients, including Google, Accenture, Tesco, Gatorade and UBS Wealth Management.
Ollie Phillips had an illustrious rugby career, particularly in the rugby sevens format, where he represented England. His speed, agility, and strategic mindset made him a standout player, earning him the title of World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2009. During his career, Ollie captained the England Sevens team, leading them to multiple victories on the international stage, including notable performances in the IRB Sevens World Series.
In addition to his sevens career, Ollie played in the top-flight rugby union, featuring for clubs like Stade Français in France and Newcastle Falcons in the UK.
Ollie’s rugby highlights include:
– England 7s captain & World Player of the Year
– 14-year professional rugby career.
– Voted Overseas Player of the Year, 2011
– Head Coach for Wales Women 7s
– Sporting & Olympic Programme Director, Team China
After retiring from rugby, Ollie embarked on a series of incredible adventures that tested his physical and mental limits. One of his most notable achievements was leading a team on a record-breaking expedition to the North Pole, where they played the northernmost rugby match ever recorded, raising significant funds for charity.
His adventures also include sailing around the world as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, further demonstrating his resilience, determination, and passion for pushing boundaries.
These experiences have cemented Ollie’s reputation as an adventurer and provided him with unique insights into teamwork, leadership, and overcoming challenges—lessons he now shares with others as a motivational speaker and corporate consultant.
His adventures include:
– Sailed around the world with Clipper Race
– Summited Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, Toubkal & Mount Everest
– Cycled across America with RAAM
– Rode a rickshaw across India
– Swam the British Channel
– 4 x Guinness World Records at the North Pole and Mount Everest
Throughout his career, Ollie has been deeply committed to charitable work. He has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for various causes, particularly those related to youth development and health. His involvement in charity events, such as the record-breaking North Pole expedition, showcases his dedication to giving back and positively impacting the world.
Ollie Phillips has sailed around the world, cycled across America, and run marathons in Africa, raising money for Street Child, the Alzheimer’s Society, Wooden Spoon, and Cancer Research UK. He is also an ambassador for the government-driven GREAT campaign, working with the Clipper Round the World Race.
Ollie Phillips’s charity events:
Clipper Round the World Race – In September 2013, after 11 months and 40,000 miles, the team finished second overall.
Arctic Guinness World Record – Ollie joined a 100-mile trek to the Magnetic North Pole for the ‘Arctic Rugby Challenge’, where he hosted the ‘Most Northerly Rugby Match’, breaking the Guinness World Record.
Cycle race across America (RAAM) – Ollie cycled 3000 miles across America, from California to Maryland.
Mount Kilimanjaro – In October 2018, Ollie led a team with 360-expeditions to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 metres.
Drawing on his vast experience, Ollie shares his story and insights to support individuals and organisations in growing and thriving.
As well as talking about the challenges and adventures he has achieved, Ollie talks around the following themes:
– Overcoming adversity and achieving success
– Mastering your emotions
– Embracing change & challenge
– Harnessing the power of positive behaviours
– Building effective and sustainable teams
“An inspirational presenter on leadership – Ollie gives invaluable insights from his leading teams in the most challenging environments in the world and the world of sport, all applied with tremendous perception to the world of business. Highly informative, entertaining and insightful.”
Jo Malone, Founder Jo Malone & Jo Loves
“Many more have stood atop Everest than have conquered the world’s oceans; fewer still have circumnavigated the globe. What makes Ollie’s feat unequalled is not just his endurance and fortitude, but rather his unwavering ability throughout the 11-month journey to inspire others”
Sir Robin Knox Johnston(First man to sail solo & non-stop around the globe (1968-69)