Gareth Thomas, Speaker | Athlete, LGBTQ+ Empowering & DEI Advocate

Gareth Thomas

Speaker, Wales Grand Slam Winner, LGBTQ+ Empowering And DEI Advocate

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London

Inspire your team, educate them about diversity and inclusion, and break stigmas with Gareth Thomas, speaker, Wales Grand Slam Winner, LGBTQ+ and DEI advocate.

Gareth Thomas | Speaker Biography

First openly gay professional rugby union player

Advocate for LGBT rights and HIV awareness

Former Welsh international rugby star and second-highest try scorer

Not only is Gareth one of Wales' most memorable former international rugby stars, but he has also proven to be a significant influence off the pitch. Gareth announced that he was gay in 2009, becoming the first openly gay professional rugby union player in the history of the game. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to break the stigma surrounding being HIV positive as well. Gareth's impact on the pitch is undeniable. He became Wales' second-highest try scorer in the country's history and earned 100 caps for his country. In 2005, he also led his team to win the Grand Slam. Beyond his sporting achievements, Gareth has made influential contributions as an LGBT advocate. He was named the Most Influential Gay Person in the UK in 2010 by The Independent and received Stonewall's Hero of the Year award for his work. The documentary 'Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me' focused on reducing the stigma around HIV positive status, while his honest account in the book 'Proud' earned him the Sports Book of the Year award in 2015. In addition to his advocacy work, Gareth is an engaging mentor and speaker. If you're looking to inspire your team and educate them about diversity and inclusion, Gareth Thomas is the legend you should turn to.

’s Featured Sessions

There's No 'I' In Team: Business Is A Team Sport

Marissa Shandell draws from her extensive research on motivation and rethinking at the highest levels of leadership in an organization to showcase the crucial role thinking differently has in fostering peak performance, innovation, and resilience in the workplace. She offers audiences tools for creating psychological safety, promoting continuous learning, and effectively encouraging candor. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to motivate themselves and others to not only do but also feel their best at work by embracing the art of rethinking. This presentation draws on Marissa’s contributions to Adam Grant’s best-selling book, Think Again.

Leadership 101: Guiding Principles For Leaders

A great leader possesses a clear vision, courage, integrity, honesty, humility, and clear focus. They help people reach their goals and take pride in the accomplishments of those they help along the way. Our expert leaders take you through their personal leadership experience and guiding principles.

LGBTQ+ Representation In Professional Environments

Overcoming Adversity: A PepTalk

No one likes change, but it is an inevitable part of life. Explore the seven most common reasons that we are resistant to change. Some of these are completely subconscious and others we are well aware of. Learn the hidden reasons that we want to stay unchanged and ways we can shift to a growth mindset and be more open and willing for those inevitable changes in life. This interactive presentation offers usable solutions to get your psyche ready to accept those changes in your life. Perhaps you'll even start to instigate changes that were previously shy-ed away from. Fun, educational and always thought provoking! -Review And learn the 7 most common things that keep us resistant to change. -Master Practical, customizable techniques that can help expand mindset and minimize common resistance. -Discover Which is your most common block and which techniques will work best to help you eliminate your fears and resistance. -Explore Exercises to empower you to embrace change and even seek out ways to accelerate it.

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