Ollie Phillips

Ollie Phillips was voted the ‘Best Sevens Player in the World’ in 2009 (IRB International Sevens Player of the Year) after leading England Sevens to three World Series Cup victories during his captaincy from 2008 to 2010. A distinguished rugby player for 14 years, Phillips also achieved significant club success, including playing for Newcastle Falcons, Gloucester, and Stade Francais. At Stade Francais in 2011, he was recognized as the most valuable overseas player and the top try-scorer. His career also included participation in three Sevens World Cup tournaments.

In 2013, a career-ending calf injury prompted Phillips to pivot his focus towards extreme physical and mental endurance challenges. He successfully completed the Clipper Round the World Race from September 2013 to 2014, with his team securing second place overall after covering 40,000 miles over 11 months. In 2015, he led the ‘Arctic Rugby Challenge’ expedition to the North Pole, which involved a 100-mile trek and hosting the ‘Most Northerly Rugby Match’, an event that earned a Guinness World Record. These endeavors contributed to Phillips holding four Guinness World Records.

His public speaking career spans 15 years, during which he has delivered impactful presentations on change management, resilient leadership, teamwork, and building a winning culture, while raising over £3 million for charity through various endeavors. As a respected business leader, Phillips continues to inspire audiences globally. Through Optimist Performance, he provides leadership development and transformative experiences, leveraging his unique background in high-performance environments. His extensive public speaking engagements underscore his commitment to sharing actionable strategies for resilience and achieving peak performance, making him a sought-after voice for corporate and industry events.