SPEAKER

When anxiety runs unchecked in high-stakes sectors, it manifests as imposter syndrome, decision paralysis, and presenteeism. These aren’t character flaws – they’re capacity warning signs. And when you run million-pound strategies through teams operating in survival mode, sustainable high performance becomes impossible.

For many employees, wellness and wellbeing programmes can either feel like box-ticking exercises from the company or something to address once burnout has happened. I work with leaders in high-consequence organisations – where clarity under pressure determines outcomes – building the sustainable performance capacity their people need to access their full capabilities.

“Mental Fitness isn’t wellness programming, it is Performance Architecture.”

When leaders ignore Mental Fitness as Performance Architecture, it directly impacts the bottom line: strategic opportunities missed because teams lack clarity under pressure, high-potential talent leaving because burnout is normalised, and million-pound decisions made by people operating in survival mode.

As a 4× World Champion freediver 2025 (M1) and 4× World Records holder (M1) who transformed severe depression into world-class performance, I’ve proven that my preconceived limitations were misconceptions, not facts – Mental Fitness transformed my reactive crisis management into clear, confident, and sustainable high performance.

KEYNOTE

Freediving Through Fear:  Deep Lessons For Life Above Water

Your team already knows burnout is bad. What they don’t know is how to access their full capability when pressure hits.

Through 5 practical, science-backed Mental Fitness tools, your team rebuilds self-trust while eliminating the costs hiding on your balance sheet: imposter syndrome, presenteeism, and decision paralysis. Your team can immediately start transforming reactive crisis management into clear, confident, and sustainable performance. Not through theory or motivation, but through practical implementation.

During this engaging talk (in-person or virtual), I combine real stories from severe depression to world-class performance under life-or-death pressure with hands-on exercises. Your team experiences immediate nervous system shifts through guided breathing and body awareness techniques – proving these tools work in the moment, not just in theory.

WANT TO GO DEEPER?

Beyond the keynote, I work with organisations to develop half-day or full-day workshops where teams practise the 5 Mental Fitness tools, identify their personal capacity warning signs, and create implementation plans specific to their high-pressure environments.

CREDENTIALS

World-Class Performance Under Pressure:

  • 4x World Champion 2025 (M1)
  • 4x World Records (M1)
  • 16x National Records
  • 5x World Championship competitor for Team GB
  • Advanced Oxygen Advantage & Buteyko Method Breath Work Instructor
  • Award-winning documentary subject – Light Beams for Helena

READY TO BUILD PERFORMANCE ARCHITECTURE?

Let’s discuss how Mental Fitness training fits your organisation’s specific high-pressure environment.

BOOK HELENA

TESTIMONIALS

How to describe Helena?

She is truly a one-off.  Her story is one of survival against the odds.  Of triumph against adversity.  Of going deep, inside and in the water.  Of working out what it truly means to push yourself, and live.

I met her through a mutual friend, and was straight away bowled over by her openness, generosity of spirit and ambition for free diving and breathwork.  She shared her story with me on a podcast and it was truly a rollercoaster.  Since then she has won more free diving records, been the star of 2 films and overcome more setbacks.  But throughout she has never stopped being her.  Caring about others.  Checking in.  Being thoughtful and helpful, even when these are the furthest from her priorities.  It is just who she is.  Recommending Helena is unnecessary.  She recommends herself.

British Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress, 2023

Helena gave an incredible talk. It was insightful, moving and inspiring.  She bravely shared her story, opening up important discussions around a sensitive issue.

Two ears – two eyes – one breath

Whether it’s a breathing workshop or a motivational talk.  This lady will stop time from the moment she opens her mouth.  She doesn’t just have a story, she also knows how to tell it, and you will be, for that very short period of your life encapsulated.  Helena made us think about the most basic human need – the breath.
So listen, observe and take a breath.

Keynote Speaker at Pink Petro’s HerWorld, 2019

“Helena’s unforgettable speech at Pink Petro’s International Women’s Day event in London was one to remember.  As the MC of the event, I told the audience that they would not have heard anything like Helena’s story before… and how right I was!

She shared her compelling story in an articulate, poignant, compulsive yet funny way which had the large audience gripped.  Whether it was revealing her life-long mental struggle with depression and anxiety or depicting what happens during one of her championship freedive’s, Helena had the crowd in her hand and you could hear a pin drop.  What a fantastic person and an even better story!”

Sixth Form @ Downe House School, 2018

“What a great pleasure to have Helena back at Downe House to share her fantastic story.

Helena gave an incredibly inspiring talk on her journey from mental illness to full recovery and acclaimed success, making even the darkest hour a precious moment in the build-up of the accomplished, compassionate, empathic individual she is.

It was a tremendous opportunity for our girls to experience the power of resilience and enjoy at the same time, the breath-taking pictures of Helena’s dives!

Thank you, Helena”

Keynote for Skanska Commercial Graduates @ The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 2018

“Helena’s talk was  unforgettable and thought provoking . She showed  that  we can all overcome really difficult moments in our own  personal or business life when we can share our experiences and are willing to help and support  each other.

People are at the very heart of all high performing teams whether it is an international freediving competition  or running a construction business.  We need both oxygen and cash to keep us all healthy.”

Keynote for Skanska Commercial Graduates @ The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 2018

“Helena Bourdillon is a Great Britain freediver and she made a fantastic link about being in the zone to be able to perform at your best, and this aligns perfectly to the behaviours needed to deliver Skanska’s laser focus plan. She also spoke of overcoming her mental health issues by channelling her mind into freediving so it is no longer a chronic disease.”

Keynote for Skanska Commercial Graduates @ The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 2018

“Helena managed to tackle and present the difficult topic of mental health really well.  Generally, people do not like to talk about mental health, however she managed to make it less of a “taboo” by making the talk relevant to the audience and at the same time including occupation and personal history.  I have seen a few presentations on mental health and well-being and none of them had as many questions afterwards which shows that she developed a genuine interest in the subject matter.

The afternoon “breathing exercises” were a really good way to focus everyone after lunch and everyone seemed to have fun as well.  Learning to do something as basic as breathing properly could benefit some of the attendees in the long run as well.”

Keynote for Skanska Commercial Graduates @ The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, 2018

“Very interesting to have a guest speaker talk about real life experiences outside of the construction industry but with related content”

 

Mulberry Freedivers, Selsey, 2017

“It was our immense pleasure to have Helena talk at the launch of Mulberry Freedivers.

I am not sure what I expected but I was blown away by an honest, frank yet often entertaining account of how freediving helped change and continues to help her on a personal level.

Great imagery and explanation of the sport and a true inspiration for what it is possible to achieve even in a person’s darkest hour!

I came away inspired and many of the club members have since spoken to me about how Helena has inspired them and to reach for their dreams.”

 

PreviousNext
PreviousNext
123456
Olympia June 2025

BOOK HELENA FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT: