Leisel Jones

Leisel Jones OAM – Speaker Bio

Leisel Jones OAM is one of Australia’s most decorated and respected Olympians, with a swimming career that spans four Olympic Games and more than a decade at the top of world sport. Her extraordinary achievements include 14 individual world records, 9 Olympic medals (3 Gold, 5 Silver and 1 Bronze), 7 World Championship titles, 10 Commonwealth Games gold medals, and 23 national titles.

Leisel’s international career began at just 15 years of age when she became the youngest member of the Australian swimming team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She won two silver medals in the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley relay, making her the youngest Olympic medallist in Australian history.

At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Leisel experienced her first major confrontation with public scrutiny and pressure. Despite winning gold, silver and bronze medals, the then 18-year-old faced intense external criticism and internal expectations, marking one of the steepest learning curves of her career.

After navigating setbacks, adversity and personal challenges, Leisel fulfilled her lifelong dream at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, winning gold in her signature event, the 100m breaststroke, gold in the 4x100m medley relay, and silver in the 200m breaststroke.

Leisel concluded her Olympic journey at her fourth Games in London in 2012. While her final campaign included significant challenges—media controversy, bullying, and team dissension—she finished on a high, winning silver in the 4x100m medley relay, an event she holds close to her heart.

Behind the medals and world records lies a deeply human story. Despite her success, Leisel experienced depression and, at one point, planned to take her own life. Through therapy, self-reflection and personal research, she rebuilt her mindset and found a healthier relationship with success, identity and self-worth. This journey now forms the heart of her speaking.

Today, Leisel Jones is an author, media personality, MC and highly sought-after professional speaker. Her mission is to share principles of truth, integrity and authenticity in life and business. She speaks candidly about the realities of elite performance—the joy, the pressure, the pain, and the personal cost—while translating lessons from the pool into powerful lessons for life.

On stage, Leisel is charismatic, down-to-earth and refreshingly honest. She combines warmth, humour and a matter-of-fact delivery to leave audiences inspired, connected and challenged to live with courage and authenticity