Motiv8 – Eight of our Top Motivational Speakers

From astronauts and adventurers to sports-stars, businesspeople and equality activists, our diverse range of speakers is guaranteed to have the perfect person to suit and inspire your audience.

Tim Peake CMG

Tim spent over 100 days living on the International Space Station and made history by being the first person to ever run the London Marathon from space.

Tim Peake is a former Apache pilot and current European Space Agency Astronaut. In 2016, he became the second person to run a marathon from the International Space Station and was commended by the likes of the Royal Family and Sir Elton John.

Before his career as an astronaut, Tim served in the military as a captain for the Royal Green Jackets and then as a qualified pilot. He then went onto beat more than 8,000 applicants to gain one of just six places in the ESA’s astronaut training programme.

Having had a diverse career and in the unique field of space, Tim’s talks never fail to captivate audiences. He can speak about what it took for him to become one of the best and motivate people with even the most ambitious of dreams.

Dame Laura Kenny

Laura is Britain’s greatest-ever female Olympian and the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games.

Laura Kenny is one of the most well-known sportswomen in the world. In 2020, during the Tokyo Olympics, she won her fifth Olympic gold medal, and gained the accolade of being the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games.

Laura has also been awarded Harper’s Bazaar’s ‘Sporting Icons’ award; had a long-standing position as an Adidas athlete; and published a book, The Inside Track, with her husband and fellow cyclist, Sir Jason Kenny.

As one of the most successful sportswomen around, Laura has become an inspiration to many women and girls both in cycling and across sport in general. Her story of success will inspire and restore drive in any audience.

Mike Bates

Mike was the first officer in the history of the MOD to pass all required courses to serve at the very front line of the U.K.’s counter-terror response. Mike also rowed the Atlantic solo in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, setting a race record in the process.

Mike Bates is a human intelligence specialist, covert counter-terrorism operations leader, entrepreneur and adventurer.

Mike spent a total of 20 years serving his country in His Majesty’s Royal Marines and the Intelligence and Security fields of the Ministry of Defence. He undertook operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.K., and most recently, alone in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2023, Mike became the fastest solo British person to complete the ‘The World’s Toughest Row’, in a little over 46 days. His efforts for this over a three-year campaign raised a phenomenal £175,000 for charity.

Mike is one of the most unique speakers on the circuit. Having experienced danger like very few others, he uses his experience to share how he overcame both mental and physical barriers to accomplish what he has to this day.

Roxie Nafousi

Roxie has regularly written for major publications including Marie Claire UK, Female First, Evening Standard and E! Online.

Roxie Nafousi is a self-development coach, manifesting expert, author, and mental health ambassador.

Roxie is renowned for her reflective workshops which have seen her host events for major brands. She is also a regular speaker on wellness and mental health panels. Roxie dedicates her life to encourage others to live their lives to the full. She helps people understand the power and determination that everyone inevitably holds within themselves.

Having made such impactful talks for some of the largest companies, it is no surprise Roxie is an incredibly popular motivational speaker. Her confidence and encouragement both motivate and instil self-belief in any audience.

Dr Maki Mandela

Maki followed in her father, Nelson Mandela’s footsteps and has become one of the world’s leading equality activists.

Maki is an impactful diversity and equality activist and successful businesswoman. She studied in South Africa, Swaziland and the USA, in order to cement herself an education which would set her up for a successful career.

Maki has held directorships at major companies around the world, including Nestle SA, and institutions like the Development Bank of Southern Africa and Spoornet. She actively promotes female empowerment and has authored several academic papers on women in South Africa. She has also worked with Nozala, to champion and fund women in business.

In 2017, Maki became the director of the newly founded House of Mandela family foundation. Through this she raises awareness and funds for various issues affecting African communities, for example HIV and AIDS, education, health, agriculture, female empowerment and promoting alternate energy sectors.

With passion and fairness in her genes, it is no surprise that Maki has had such an impact on equality in societies. She is an inspiration to all and proof that anything can be changed with enough passion and belief.

Martina Navratilova

Martina is the most successful tennis player of the Open era, and has won 59 Grand Slam titles, 9 Wimbledon singles championships, 167 singles and 177 doubles championships.

Martina had a legendary career which spanned four decades. Her success has been remarkable yet it was not an easy ride for her.

Martina had a decades-long rivalry with fellow tennis star, Chris Evert. This became a rivalry which is still widely considered as one of the greatest in sports history. Martina sported a 43-37 advantage against Chris and over the course of her tennis career, was distinguished as the WTA’s ‘Tour Player of the Year.’ She now uses her experience to work as a regular commentator for the BBC and Tennis Channel at Wimbledon.

Being able to perform under pressure is a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Having had to do this in the limelight time and time again, Martina can share how she overcame the mental game, as well as the physical, to achieve success. She has an ability to motivate audiences start-to-finish with her captivating story of success.

Sir Bradley Wiggins

Bradley is one of the most successful track and road cyclists of all time, having won major titles in both forms of the sport.

Bradley began his cycling career on the track. Here, he won six world titles and five Olympic gold medals before turning his focus onto the road. After his victory in London in 2012, he won BBC Sports Personality of the Year for that year.

On the road, Bradley became just as successful and achieved a podium finish at the 2009 Tour de France and a second Grand Tour podium at the 2011 Vuelta a Espana. Following this, he had a near-perfect run in 2012 and won four races on his way to the Tour de France yellow jersey.

Bradley is currently a MIND charity ambassador and an vocal campaigner for mental health awareness. This year, he is touring in the UK with ‘An Evening with Bradley Wiggins’ where he is discussing growing up, his career, retirement, and cycling heroes.

As one of the country’s greats in the two formats of cycling, Bradley is an incredibly popular motivational speaker. He shares how he combatted mental battles throughout his career, as well as physical, and what it took for him to conquer these to achieve such success.

Tim Campbell MBE

Tim won The Apprentice in 2005 and has come full circle, appearing as Lord Sugar’s latest advisor for the new series.

Tim Campbell is an entrepreneur and recognised and passionate inclusion advocate.

Tim’s success began on The Apprentice and since then, he has been a force to be reckoned with in the business world. Tim now splits his time between advising a global talent acquisition business’s strategic diversity and inclusion efforts; his own consultancy; business mentoring; and investments in the leisure and A.I. sector. Recently, he has also put his time and efforts the education sector, championing Apprenticeships and joining the City of London Corporation’s Education Board.

As a remarkably successful businessman, Tim is well respected by all, making him a forceful advocate for diversity and inclusion. His success story is like no other and he never fails to motivate audiences to strive for greatness.

To book one of these inspirational individuals for your next event, or for more suggestions, please contact jo@evolve-agency.co.uk. With experience providing motivational speakers for a wide variety of clients, we are happy to recommend the perfect match for your audience. Make your next event one to remember with Evolve Talent & Speakers.