Adam Burgess OLY

Olympic Medallist | Breathwork Educator | Resilient High-Performer

Adam Burgess is an Olympic silver medallist and one of Britain’s most accomplished canoe slalom athletes. With a career spanning over 15 years at the elite level, Adam has represented Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, achieving a historic silver medal in the C1 event in Paris, becoming the first British man to reach the Olympic podium in this category since 2008.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Adam’s journey into elite sport began almost by accident. After missing the first sign-up window at age 10, he took a last-minute spot at a local canoe club, thanks to another child dropping out. That small twist be- came a defining turning point. From early morning solo training before school to relocating at 16 to pursue his dreams, Adam’s story is one of perseverance, self- leadership, and deep personal investment in his craft. In 2025 Adam was recognised by Nottingham Trent University with an honorary Doctor of Sport degree, reflecting both his sporting achievements and his ability to inspire future students. A graduate of the same institution, his academic and athletic journey re- main deeply intertwined.

In recent years, Adam has also emerged as a thought leader in the science of breath and recovery. After overcoming a career-threatening shoulder injury, he developed a passion for breathwork and now runs the Inspired Breath Academy, delivering coaching to athletes, business leaders and wellness professionals. His approach blends science with lived experience, promoting mental clarity and physiological balance.

What makes Adam’s path so compelling is his dual identity of an elite athlete and self-driven entrepreneur. His model of high performance is not one of force, but flow. He trains independently, embraces uncertainty, and speaks openly about the psychological load of competitive cycles, the role of emotional regulation and the business side of sport. His philosophy is simple, to adapt constantly, to invest in recovery and to build a life that performs under pressure. In the book Balancing Act, Adam’s experiences offer insight into sustainable performance, breath-led emotional regulation and what it takes to navigate a results-driven world while maintaining personal wellbeing.

View Adam’s Top Tips For A Sustainable and High-Performing Life, along with many other tips from Balancing Act Guests and Contributors over on our Advice Wall

Listen to Adam's Podcast featured as part of research for the book Balancing Act.