Paddy Upton
Paddy Upton is a South African mental coach for high performance oriented business executives and sports teams
Sports psychologist with engaging leadership and motivation talks.
Shruti Joshi
ManufacturingWatch Paddy Upton Deliver Impactful Motivational Sessions
south africa
english
10+ years
alternate thinking, purpose and inner peace, discipline and consistency, holistic health
About Paddy Upton
A true game-changer in the world of high-performance coaching, Paddy Upton has redefined how athletes, teams, and leaders approach mindset, mental strength, and peak performance. Known globally for his innovative blend of sports psychology and practical coaching, he has become one of the most influential mental conditioning experts in modern sport. His journey spans elite cricket, championship-winning IPL teams, Olympic medal-winning squads, and even world-class chess, reflecting a career built on insight, resilience, and transformative leadership.
Paddy first rose to prominence as the mental conditioning coach of the Indian Cricket Team during their iconic 2011 ICC World Cup victory, where his frameworks for clarity, calmness, and team cohesion played a defining role. His success continued in the IPL, where as the leadership coach of the Rajasthan Royals, he helped shape the foundation of the team that won the inaugural 2008 season. His coaching philosophy is rooted in understanding human behaviour, building trust, and nurturing athletes into confident, self-driven performers.
His impact is not limited to cricket. In 2024, Paddy Upton created global waves as the mental coach of Gukesh D, guiding him through pressure, nerves, and intense competitive environments to become the youngest World Chess Champion in history. The same year, he helped shape the mindset of the Indian Hockey Team, contributing to their bronze medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics—a moment of pride for the nation.
An acclaimed author of The Barefoot Coach, a practice professor at Deakin University, and a sought-after global speaker, Paddy Upton continues to influence coaches, athletes, corporates, and leaders worldwide. His methods are used as case studies in leadership forums, sports institutes, and performance-driven organisations around the world.
A true game-changer in the world of high-performance coaching, Paddy Upton has redefined how athletes, teams, and leaders approach mindset, mental strength, and peak performance. Known globally for his innovative blend of sports psychology and practical coaching, he has become one of the most influential mental conditioning experts in modern sport. His journey spans elite cricket, championship-winning IPL teams, Olympic medal-winning squads, and even world-class chess, reflecting a career built on insight, resilience, and transformative leadership.
Paddy first rose to prominence as the mental conditioning coach of the Indian Cricket Team during their iconic 2011 ICC World Cup victory, where his frameworks for clarity, calmness, and team cohesion played a defining role. His success continued in the IPL, where as the leadership coach of the Rajasthan Royals, he helped shape the foundation of the team that won the inaugural 2008 season. His coaching philosophy is rooted in understanding human behaviour, building trust, and nurturing athletes into confident, self-driven performers.
His impact is not limited to cricket. In 2024, Paddy Upton created global waves as the mental coach of Gukesh D, guiding him through pressure, nerves, and intense competitive environments to become the youngest World Chess Champion in history. The same year, he helped shape the mindset of the Indian Hockey Team, contributing to their bronze medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics—a moment of pride for the nation.
An acclaimed author of The Barefoot Coach, a practice professor at Deakin University, and a sought-after global speaker, Paddy Upton continues to influence coaches, athletes, corporates, and leaders worldwide. His methods are used as case studies in leadership forums, sports institutes, and performance-driven organisations around the world.
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Career Highlights and Achievements of Paddy Upton
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Winner
Mental conditioning coach for India’s 2011 World Cup-winning cricket team.
Gukesh D World Chess Championship
Mentored Gukesh, guiding him to youngest World Chess Champion 2024.
Indian Hockey – Paris 2024 Bronze
Mental conditioning coach for India’s men’s hockey team, Paris 2024 bronze.
Author & Speaker
Authored The Barefoot Coach & delivered 250+ keynote addresses globally.
Global Mental Conditioning Expert
Worked with athletes across multiple sports and continents.
1,000+ Key notes and masterclasses
Have delivered sessions for top corporates & communities across the world.
Why Paddy Upton ?
Snapshots of Paddy Upton
Showcasing some prominent images and videos of Paddy Upton including our previous events and other endeavors.
Paddy Upton
Paddy Upton is a South African mental coach for high performance oriented business executives and sports teams
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