Presence Under Pressure: The Professional Athlete's Edge Applied to Leadership
Elite athletes don't perform under pressure because they feel less of it — they perform because they've trained their body, mind, and state to work for them when it matters most. Drawing on a career in professional tennis, David shows leaders how posture and physical state directly shape presence, confidence, and decision-making under pressure — and teaches the same techniques pro athletes use to reset, refocus, and access peak performance on demand.
Attendees Leave With
- Techniques to reset the nervous system in real time during high-stakes moments
- Tools to intentionally shift thoughts and emotions toward peak performance
- A practical framework for building composure that compounds over time
Leaders who stay clear-headed under pressure make better decisions and build more trust — turning pressure into a competitive edge.
David Starbuck Smith has delivered transformational workshops and presentations for numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as organizations of all sizes—all while running a highly successful business for over 20 years.
He is the author of two books, Ageless, Painless Tennis and Align, Feel, Heal: An Integrated Approach to Healing Chronic Pain, with a third forthcoming in February 2026 titled Back Pain Solutions for Seniors: Eliminate Pain While Restoring Balance, Posture, and Strength at Any Age.
As an Exercise Therapist, David is a recognized expert in anatomy, posture, and pain, with more than 25 years of clinical experience helping thousands of clients eliminate chronic pain and restore function through his unique alignment-based techniques. He also served two seasons as a weekly consultant to the San Francisco 49ers, helping players reduce injury and accelerate recovery.
David is a Certified Executive Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, and Certified Life Coach, with over 30 years of study in psychology and personal development. A former Division I and professional tennis player, he integrates the principles of elite performance, neuroscience, and human potential into his work with leaders, teams, and individuals worldwide.
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