The psychology that changes how we lead | Paul McVeigh | TEDxBlack Mountain
What does it take to go from the streets of Belfast to the Premier League and beyond?
In this powerful and often humorous TEDx talk, former professional footballer Paul McVeigh shares the life-changing lessons behind world-class performance, and the beliefs that hold us back. From training with football legend Jürgen Klinsmann to doing yoga alone in a locker room of sceptical teammates, Paul reveals how dreams begin, how doubt creeps in, and what happens when you believe anyway.
With three unforgettable stories, and one unforgettable Aunt Jean, Paul explores the real psychology of belief and performance. Whether you're leading a team, chasing a dream, or simply trying to believe in yourself again, this talk might just change how you see what’s possible.
“What if one small belief was the difference between watching from the sidelines… and scoring your own goal?”
Paul McVeigh is a former Premier League footballer
who played for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur,
Norwich City, and representing Northern Ireland
internationally. After retiring, Paul transitioned into
performance psychology, driven by a passion for
understanding what separates good from great in both
sport and business.Now a sought-after speaker, coach, and author of The
Stupid Footballer is Dead, he works with global
organisations and elite performers to improve
mindset, resilience, and high performance. Paul
combines lived experience at the top level of sport
with evidence-based psychological strategies, helping
individuals and teams unlock their full potential. His
engaging, practical approach continues to inspire
audiences in sport, business, and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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