The 5 Best TED Talks for the Creative Business Athlete

How great leaders inspire action

Few people know why they do what they do. That’s according to Simon Sinek. People will join you if they believe in your ‘why’. That goes for your football team, your band, your company.

“They don’t buy into what you do, but why you do it.” We all love achieving great results but don’t forget the dream that drives those results. That dream is the target you will always be working towards and the inspiration for others to believe in you.

If you can see it, you can be it

Tennis legend Billie Jean King takes to the stage to explain that every generation has a chance to make things better. Her insights into self-confidence and empowerment are a must for anyone committed to creating an inclusive working or sporting environment.

Her tip for winning the ‘Battle of the Sexes’? “Respect your opponent, never underestimate them. I respected Bobby Riggs. That’s how I could beat him.”

The surprising habits of original thinkers

Doubt, procrastination, failure…this isn’t the vocabulary successful creators use. Or is it?

In 12 minutes, Adam Grant destroys the popular perception of star inventors that being first to market secures overnight success. Instead he encourages procrastination; “It’s a vice for productivity but a virtue for creativity.” Leave yourself open to new ideas – you don’t have to be first, just different and better.

The brain-changing benefits of exercise

Exercise is the most transformative thing you can do for your brain today, explains neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. Your mood, memory, attention and focus will all improve by sticking to your exercise routine and challenging your body for at least 30 minutes a day.

As a bonus, Wendy finishes with a quick a two-minute work out to get the heart racing and the brain growing.

What I learned when I conquered the world’s toughest triathlon

Spoiler alert: not only does Minda Dentler complete the Hawaii Ironman, she does it as a disabled athlete!

“Big dreams can only be achieved when you are ready to fail,” explains Mina, a polio sufferer who after failing to finish at Kona, came back with a new approach to achieve her dream. The second-time round, she focused on what she could control and took on each challenge the race presented one push at a time to become the first female disabled athlete to finish in a time of 14hrs39mins.