The Human Cost
of High Performance
Patrick Foster helps organisations understand the real relationship between mental wellbeing and high performance. He shows leaders the hidden cost of burnout, pressure, and fear-driven success, so people and performance can thrive together.
Speaker showreel
See Patrick in action
A two-minute introduction to Patrick’s story, speaking style and impact.
Events & media
Discover sessions
PATRICK FOSTER
Speaker Showreel
1 min 54 sec
PATRICK FOSTER
LADbible Stories
My Gambling Addiction Ruined My Life, Minutes with Patrick Foster
PATRICK FOSTER
People Are Deep
How I Lost Two Million: Confessions of a Gambling Addict
PATRICK FOSTER
Virgin Radio UK
Patrick Foster's story of gambling addiction is incredible
PATRICK FOSTER
Patrick Foster Introduction
A short introduction to Patrick Foster
PATRICK FOSTER
Cricketer's Trust
Foster speaks out on gambling addiction
Corporate Keynote Speaker • Acclaimed Author
Behind the success.
On paper, Patrick Foster seemed to have it all: a former professional cricketer, City insurance broker and independent schoolteacher. Behind the scenes, he was struggling with the loss of identity after sport, an inability to ask for help, and a secret addiction that brought him to the verge of taking his own life in 2018.
Today, Patrick draws on that lived experience — and years of working with organisations like HSBC, Apollo, and Manchester City FC — to help leaders and teams talk openly about pressure, emotional honesty, and sustainable high performance.
Read more about Patrick →Organisations Patrick has worked with
"Thefirststepinchangeisacknowledgingthatthereisaproblem,andthenrealisingthatadmittingyouhaveaproblemisnotasignofweaknessbutofcourage."
Patrick Foster, Founder of GAM-Ed
During his 12 years as an addict, Patrick Foster won and lost more than £500,000, often gambling on his phone while at work or with his loving family and girlfriend.
Today, several years into recovery, Patrick works with industries from sport to education and the army to minimise gambling harm.
The Book
Might Bite
The Secret Life of a Gambling Addict
Might Bite is Patrick Foster's bestselling memoir exploring addiction, identity, pressure, and the hidden emotional cost of success. Praised by The Times, BBC Radio 5 Live, The Spectator, and the Daily Mail, the book reinforces Patrick's credibility, honesty, and insight into the psychology of pressure and human behaviour.
“I hope you know that you genuinely changed someone’s perspective on life today.”
Partner at Capital Group
Real stories.
Real change.
Powerful lived experience that educates, protects, and inspires lasting change.
Book PatrickOrganisational Impact
The right conversation changes culture.
“Of all the wellbeing initiatives I have introduced, Patrick’s presentation had the greatest impact.”
His honesty made the pressures of City life feel immediate and real, prompting conversations that might never otherwise have happened. Patrick reminded us how well people can hide what they are going through - and why workplace wellbeing must be more than a tick-box exercise. The impact was felt across individuals, teams and leadership.
Why Patrick
Challenge. Credibility. Change.
Challenge
Modern workplaces reward pressure, perfectionism, and achievement while often missing the hidden human cost underneath it.
Credibility
Patrick Foster is a former professional cricketer, insurance broker, teacher, bestselling author, and speaker who understands both the external pressure to succeed and the internal cost it can create.
Change
Patrick helps organisations create healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable performance cultures where people can perform without losing themselves.
“Thank you for your time yesterday. That was a moving and inspiring story. You have clearly turned your life around and it touched a lot of our staff.”
How Patrick works with clients
Keynotes, workshops and confidential mentoring.
Keynote Speaking.
Conferences & leadership events
An honest, powerful keynote on hidden pressure, addiction and wellbeing at work.
Explore keynotes02 / WorkshopsLeadership & Team Workshops.
Leaders & teams
Facilitated workshops that help leaders and teams have more honest conversations about pressure, wellbeing and sustainable performance.
Explore workshops03 / One-to-oneExecutive Mentoring.
Leaders & professionals
Confidential one-to-one mentoring for leaders and professionals navigating pressure, identity and personal change.
Explore mentoringGet In Touch
Contact Patrick
For conferences, leadership events, leadership and team workshops, mentoring and media interviews, reach out to discuss how Patrick can help. Patrick speaks internationally.
