Toby Robinson grew up in the West Midlands and developed his swimming skills at a young age. Robinson trained at Loughborough University, a well-known hub for elite British athletes, and quickly made a name for himself in competitive swimming.

Toby Robinson | Activism About River Seine

As an outspoken advocate for environmental issues, Toby has used his platform to raise awareness about the impact of water pollution. His activism gained significant momentum leading up to the Olympic Games, where he competed in the marathon swimming event held in the Seine River.

In the months leading up to the event, concerns about the Seine’s water quality became a critical issue, and Toby Robinson emerged as one of the most vocal athletes calling for action. He worked closely with environmental groups and used media appearances to pressure authorities to implement comprehensive clean-up efforts.

His advocacy played a crucial role in ensuring that water quality standards were improved ahead of the competition, showcasing the influence athletes can wield when they champion meaningful causes.

Toby Robinson | River Soar

Toby’s project to create a designated clean area in the River Soar seeks to restore the river to a state where it is safe for recreational activities, particularly swimming. Partnering with government officials, environmental organisations, and local community leaders, Toby has dedicated himself to making this project a reality.

His goal is to clean the river and raise public awareness of the importance of protecting and revitalising the UK’s waterways. The project reflects his broader vision of creating safe, clean, and accessible water environments across the country, benefiting athletes, nature enthusiasts, and local residents alike.

Toby Robinson | Swimming the English Channel

Looking ahead, Toby has set his sights on one of the most iconic and gruelling challenges in open water swimming: swimming the English Channel. With his sights set on breaking the world record, he plans to use this monumental feat to draw attention to the urgent need for cleaner waters in the UK.

He views this challenge as the perfect fusion of his two passions—swimming and environmental advocacy. By taking on one of the toughest swims in the world, Toby Robinson hopes to inspire others to take action and address the pressing issues of water pollution and conservation.

Toby Robinson on Overcoming Challenges 

Despite his many triumphs, Toby Robinson’s career has not been without obstacles. After finishing in a disappointing fourth place at the Commonwealth Games, he faced an unexpected setback when his UK Sport funding was cut. This forced him to juggle three part-time jobs to support himself while continuing his rigorous training regimen.

Far from being deterred, Toby used this challenge as motivation. With a fierce determination to succeed, he meticulously managed his time and resources, making his training a top priority. His resilience paid off when he experienced the best season of his career, qualifying for the Olympics and breaking the English record in the 1500m freestyle.

This remarkable comeback is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering dedication to his sport.

Toby Robinson | Speaking Topics

The Intersection of Sports and Environmental Advocacy: Toby shares his unique perspective on how elite athletes can use their platforms to drive environmental change. He discusses his personal experience advocating for clean waterways and the role athletes play in raising awareness about environmental issues. This talk is ideal for sports organisations, environmental groups, universities, and conferences on sustainability. 

Swimming for a Cause: Water Quality and Health: Given Toby’s deep involvement in improving water quality, this topic allows him to dive into the relationship between water health, athlete performance, and public wellbeing. He shares insights from his campaigns to clean up rivers like the River Seine and River Soar. This talk is ideal for environmental activists, public health forums, outdoor sports communities, and government bodies involved in water policy

Resilience in Sport: Overcoming Setbacks to Achieve Success: Toby Robinson speaks about his personal journey through adversity, including losing funding after the Commonwealth Games and balancing part-time jobs while training. His story of resilience and eventual triumph could inspire audiences to face their challenges. This talk is ideal for sports teams, athletes, youth organisations, and motivational speaking events.

Training in Natural Waters: Challenges and Opportunities: As someone with extensive experience in both pools and open-water events, Toby offers valuable insights into the unique demands of open-water swimming. He covers topics such as physical preparation, dealing with natural elements, and the impact of water pollution on athletes. This talk is ideal for sports professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, triathletes, and swimming coaches.

Breaking Records: The Road to the English Channel and Beyond: With his goal of swimming the English Channel and breaking the world record, Toby gives an inspiring talk about the preparation, mental toughness, and environmental advocacy tied to this monumental challenge. He will highlight the importance of setting ambitious goals and aligning them with personal values. This talk is ideal for corporate leadership events, athletic organisations, adventure sports communities, and general audiences interested in goal-setting.

The Power of Athletes to Drive Social Change: Athletes like Toby Robinson are not just role models for sports performance, but can also be powerful advocates for social change. He speaks about the broader role that athletes an play in influencing policies, driving environmental initiatives, and inspiring young people to take action on issues they care about. This talk is ideal for corporate CSR events, social impact organisations, environmental activists, and sports foundations.

Navigating the Balance: Athlete, Advocate, and Everyday Life: Toby shares his experiences managing the pressures of being an elite athlete while balancing being in full-time work, being a student, or being an environmental advocate. He discusses the importance of time management, prioritisation, and staying grounded amid competing responsibilities. This talk is ideal for professional development workshops, ,athlete career transition programs, and wellness-focussed events.

Benefits of  Booking Toby Robinson

1. Inspiration from Real-Life Resilience and Perseverance: Toby’s story of overcoming setbacks—such as losing funding, taking on part-time jobs while maintaining his athletic training, and ultimately achieving his best career performance—provides a powerful example of resilience and determination. Audiences can learn practical strategies for pushing through adversity and staying committed to long-term goals.

2. Unique Perspective on the Intersection of Sports and Environmental Advocacy: Toby’s passion for improving water quality, drawn from his personal experiences in open water swimming, offers a fresh perspective on how individual actions can have a positive environmental impact. His insights would encourage others to think about how their personal passions and careers can align with advocacy for important causes.

3. Actionable Insights on Using One’s Platform for Greater Good: Toby Robinson exemplifies how athletes and public figures can use their platforms to drive social and environmental change. His experience shows how individuals can influence policies, raise awareness, and inspire action from governments, corporations, and communities. Audience members could walk away motivated to leverage their own influence, whatever the size, for positive change.

4. Motivation to Set and Achieve Ambitious Goals: With his goal to swim the English Channel and break the world record while raising awareness about water pollution, Toby demonstrates the power of setting ambitious goals that align with personal values. His journey can inspire individuals and organisations to think bigger and pursue high-impact initiatives, whether in sports, business, or advocacy.

5. Practical Advice on Balancing Passion and Career: Toby’s experience balancing his competitive swimming career, part-time jobs, full-time studies, and environmental advocacy offers lessons in time management, prioritisation, and achieving success across multiple arenas. This would resonate with professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and athletes managing multiple commitments or seeking to balance their careers with a sense of purpose.

6. Awareness and Education on Water Quality Issues: Toby’s expertise in water pollution and sustainability would provide audiences with a greater understanding of the environmental challenges facing waterways, particularly in the UK. His talks would educate audiences on how pollution affects ecosystems, communities, and athletes while offering solutions on how businesses, individuals, and governments can contribute to cleaner water.

7. Encouragement to Take Personal Responsibility for Environmental Change: Toby’s personal involvement in cleaning UK waterways (e.g., the River Soar project) illustrates how individuals can take tangible steps to make a difference in their local environment. His insights could inspire audience members to think about how they, too, can contribute to local and global environmental improvements.

8. Leadership and Teamwork Lessons: As an advocate who works closely with governments, environmental groups, and communities, Toby’s experience offers lessons in leadership, collaboration, and driving consensus among diverse stakeholders. His insights would be valuable for anyone leading teams or partnerships, showing how to unite people behind a common cause.

9. Empathy and a Broader Sense of Responsibility: Toby’s advocacy for clean water extends beyond the athletic community to include the broader well-being of local communities, wildlife, and future generations. His message encourages audiences to adopt a more empathetic and holistic view of environmental stewardship, driving home the idea that everyone has a role to play in protecting natural resources.

10. Inspiration for Athletes to Use Their Influence Beyond Sports: For athlete-focused audiences, Toby provides a compelling example of how sports figures can transcend their roles and engage in advocacy, philanthropy, or social impact work. This takeaway would encourage more athletes to think about their legacy, not just in terms of achievements but also in terms of meaningful contributions to society.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Olympic swimmer and activist for clean rivers and waterways Toby Robinson for your next event.

Contact us.