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Performance, Wellbeing and Authenticity with Stevie Ward, Former Leeds Rhinos Captain

Join us for a powerful and deeply human conversation with Stevie Ward—keynote speaker, freedom coach, and former professional rugby league captain—who now dedicates his life to helping leaders and teams unlock extraordinary performance while experiencing deep, lasting wellbeing.

Stevie’s journey is anything but ordinary. Once a rugby star and captain living his boyhood dream with the Leeds Rhinos, winning three Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, and eventually captaining the side. But when a serious brain injury brought his playing career to an unexpected halt at just 27, he faced his toughest opponent yet—himself.

Through that life-altering turning point, Stevie discovered a powerful truth: that real strength comes not just from physical prowess, but from presence, vulnerability, and radical self-awareness.

Here are some key takeaways from the interview:

Authenticity Unlocks Peak Performance
Stevie shared that his greatest moments of athletic achievement came when he let go of rigid expectations and simply expressed his true self. He emphasised that authentic self-expression, rather than striving to “manufacture performance,” naturally leads to excellence—both on the rugby field and in life.

Reframing Adversity as Opportunity for Growth
Stevie’s career was marked by a series of significant injuries, including a career-ending brain injury. Rather than let these setbacks define him, he reframed them as opportunities to rediscover his identity, grieve, and “unfold” the layers he built up for self-protection—to ultimately become more connected to his purpose and others.

The Power of Vulnerability and Psychological Safety
Stevie now helps teams and businesses not only perform better but also build environments rich in psychological safety. He believes that true unity and “outlandish team spirit” come from multiplying individual freedom with real connection, achieved by encouraging vulnerability, honest conversation, and support.

Moving from Not-Enoughness to Innate Worthiness
A key lesson Stevie and Chris discussed was the transition from being driven by “not enoughness” towards a recognition of inherent self-worth. Letting go of the relentless pursuit of external validation enables individuals (and leaders) to show up fully, with confidence, and to inspire greater collective achievement.

Love and Connection as the Core of High-Performing Teams
Throughout the conversation, Stevie repeatedly brought the discussion back to love and meaningful human connection. Whether on a rugby team or in business, he argued that fostering environments where people feel cared for, understood, and free to contribute their true selves is the ultimate foundation for sustainable success and fulfillment.

The way that I see authenticity, it’s not becoming something you think you’re supposed to be; It’s allowing yourself to unfold into the possibility that you already are. – Stevie Ward

During this interview we will discuss his hard-won insights that emerged from his personal reinvention and how to inspire outlandish team spirit, ignite purpose, and foster a freedom to be your absolute best.

You can listen to this Business Elevation Show interview with Chris Cooper & Stevie Ward here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

More about Stevie Ward:

Stevie Ward is a keynote speaker and freedom coach, helping leaders and teams unlock their highest levels of performance while experiencing deep, sustainable wellbeing.

He grew up laughing at Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay, rocking out to Linkin Park and Nine Inch Nails, and living his childhood dream of playing for his beloved hometown team, the Leeds Rhinos—winning three Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, and eventually captaining the side.

A brain injury brought his career to an early end at 27, creating space for a new mission: guiding teams and individuals through the authentic formula he’s lived and developed—one that conjures outlandish levels of team spirit and the freedom to be your absolute best.