Britta Steffen
Britta Steffen is one of the most influential figures in German elite sport.
As a competitive swimmer, she set world records, won Olympic gold, and dominated international competitions over 50 and 100 meters freestyle for many years. She competed in her first Olympic Games at just 16 years old, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career that shaped an entire era of German swimming.
Yet Britta Steffen stands for far more than medals and titles. After consciously stepping away from elite sport, she completed a degree in industrial engineering with a focus on environmental sustainability and returned to peak performance in 2006. World records, Olympic gold, and numerous honors followed, including being named German Sportswoman of the Year and receiving the Berlin Order of Merit. In 2017, she also earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management.
Britta Steffen Lecture topics
Today, Britta Steffen shares her experiences from high-performance sport, intense pressure situations, and personal challenges. As a keynote speaker, she talks about mental strength, motivation, dealing with setbacks, and the ability to develop potential sustainably—whether in sport, business, or society. Her talks are marked by authenticity, depth, and an honest reflection on both success and doubt.
Excerpt from previous lectures:
- City of Saarbrücken: Sustainability keynote at the “Sustainability Conference – Sustainability & Sport”
- German Fachkräftepreis 2025 – Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs:
Speaker / Laudatory speech on the topic of “Workplace Culture” Consumer Trends in Times of Polycrises - Sparkasse Hannover:
“Lower Saxony One Step Ahead – We Are Sparkasse”
Motivational keynote on her athletic career - Sparkassenverband Niedersachsen:
Keynote at the Executive Strategy Conference of the Sparkassenverband Niedersachsen in Hanover - BLSK – Braunschweigische Landessparkasse / Nord/LB:
Keynote on the topic of “Cultural Impulses” - DZ Bank, Berlin:
Motivational keynote - Center of Mental Excellence GmbH:
Keynote at the “Tyrolean Day of Sports Psychology” in Innsbruck
Sustainability is a central theme in her work. Britta Steffen is actively committed to environmental and climate protection, including her support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal “Life Below Water.” She sets conscious personal examples, such as choosing not to fly, and encourages people to reflect on their own lifestyles and take responsibility—not out of moral obligation, but out of conviction.
She is also a strong advocate for mental health. As patron of the online therapy program Selfapy, Britta Steffen speaks openly about psychological strain, loneliness, and the courage it takes to seek help. Her openness helps break taboos and positions mental health as an essential part of performance and resilience.
Whether on stage, as a moderator, or as a mentor in youth sports, Britta Steffen combines elite performance, social responsibility, and personal integrity. She shows that true strength lies not only in winning, but in conscious self-awareness, in dealing with setbacks, and in taking responsibility for the world we live in.
Wolfram Sauer's opinion on Britta Steffen
Impact emerges with Britta Steffen not through grand gestures, but through consistency. She knows what it means to perform at the highest level—and still choose the freedom to rethink established paths. When she speaks, it is not about self-promotion, but about responsibility: for one’s own journey, for mental health, and for the world in which performance takes place. Her perspective is grounded, reflective, and strikingly relevant. You’re not just listening to a former elite athlete, but to someone who has learned to redefine what success truly means.
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