Matt Symons – Executive Performance Coach

Matt Symons is a former professional rugby player turned executive performance coach, whose journey from elite sport to corporate leadership offers a compelling blueprint for resilience, adaptability, and high performance.

As co-captain of the New Zealand Super Rugby team, the Chiefs, and a key figure in Harlequins’ historic 2021 Premiership Final victory, Matt’s career was defined by leadership under pressure, strategic decision-making, and team cohesion. 

His time in New Zealand – where he rose through the ranks while working day jobs and training at night – exemplifies his grit and ability to thrive in high-stakes environments. 

After retiring in 2022, Matt transitioned into the corporate world, working at EY and JLL before founding Malvern Street, an executive performance coaching firm. 

His MBA research at Cambridge – High Performance Corporate Athletes – underpins his coaching philosophy, which integrates sleep science, stress resilience, nutrition, and real-time performance analytics to help senior leaders operate at their peak. 

Matt is also a passionate mental health advocate and Ambassador for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), bringing vulnerability and authenticity to his talks.

He regularly speaks to global organisations and lectures at the University of Cambridge.

Expanded Topics Matt Speaks On

Here are deeper angles and subtopics you can highlight under each theme:

1. Developing High Performance Behaviours

Lessons from elite sport:how marginal gains and recovery protocols translate to business.

The role of physiological data (wearables, sleep tracking) in executive performance.

Creating sustainable high performance: avoiding burnout while maintaining excellence.

2. Managing Oneself

Self-leadership: how athletes cultivate discipline, focus, and emotional regulation.

Transitioning identities: navigating career change and personal reinvention.

Building a personal operating system: routines, rituals, and mindset shifts for peak output.

3. Building Resilience in Demanding Corporate Environments

Psychological safety and trust: lessons from rugby’s leadership culture. 

Embracing failure: how elite teams turn mistakes into growth opportunities. 

Mental health as infrastructure: why resilience starts with openness and support. 

4. Leadership Lessons from Rugby

Distributed leadership: empowering teams to make decisions under pressure.

Inclusion and diversity as strategic advantage: the rugby model of varied strengths. 

Culture and cohesion: building high-trust environments that drive performance.