Dr Peter Olusoga is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology. Growing up in Gateshead, in the North East of England, Pete moved to Sheffield to study in 1998. After graduating from the University of Sheffield with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, he went on to study for his Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and his PhD in the Psychology of Sport and Performance, both at Sheffield Hallam University.
Pete was awarded his PhD in 2012 after completing his research exploring world class sports coaches’ experiences of stress and coping in high-performance environments, with his thesis winning the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) Dissertation Award for that year.
Alongside teaching psychology, Pete’s current work focuses on burnout, well-being, and creating sustainability in high-performance environments. Drawing on his 20 years of playing and coaching basketball, his extensive academic research, and his work with high-performance organsiations, Pete focuses on the importance of organisational and cultural change for sustainable well-being, in addition to inclusive, evidence-based strategies that allow individuals to thrive.
In 2020, Pete launched the Eighty Percent Mental podcast, and has produced and hosted over 60 episodes to date. With the help of his expert guests, Pete explores the psychology underpinning elite performance, health, and well-being. Shortlisted for a Sports Podcast Award in 2023 and 2024, Eighty Percent Mental won the Bronze award in the Best Fitness, Health, and Wellbeing category in 2025, and was also given the AASP Award for Distinguished Public Communication, Awareness, and Outreach.
Dr Peter Olusoga hosts a panel discussion on well-being on the Main Stage at the 2024 Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye 
Delivering the closing Keynote Lecture at the BPS Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology Annual Conference 
Recording an episode of the EPM Podcast (2025). 
On stage with Prof Catherine Loveday (left) and Susie Chan at Cheltenham Science Festival (2025) 
Recording an episode of BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind
Dr Olusoga is an internationally recognised scholar in sport and performance psychology and has almost two decades worth of research papers, book chapters, and conference presentations to his name. Pete is a regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind, and has been an invited keynote speaker, panellist, and host, at sport, health, and well-being events, festivals, and international conferences, giving talks and workshops on topics such as self-care, mindfulness, imposter phenomenon, stress, burnout, psychological well-being, and diversity and inclusion.
Videos from Pete Olusoga
Example talks and workshops from Pete…
“Nobody really knows what they’re doing: Five rules for overcoming imposter phenomenon and thriving in work and life.”
Dr Peter Olusoga explores imposter phenomenon, a challenge many face as they navigate the pressures and personal expectations of work and life. Pete discusses how imposter phenomenon affects our overall well-being and how effective self-care and insight into our environments might help cultivate a healthy and sustainable life.
“The Science of Stress: Life hacks to prevent burnout”
Dr Peter Olusoga discusses the science of stress and managing burnout in high-performance environments. Drawing on research and real-world experiences, Pete explores the psychological and environmental factors contributing to stress and burnout, and discusses evidence-based strategies for prevention, recovery, and cultivating sustainable well-being in high-performance environments.
“From grind to growth: How to be well in the pursuit of well-being.”
The rise of the Instagram influencer and Tik-Tok guru has left the pursuit of wellness and psychological well-being a largely science-free zone. Drawing on his experience and research with high-performance environments, Pete explores how and why the grind culture and the pursuit of “wellness” can be ultimately damaging to our mental health and how we might move away from the grind, towards more sustainable ideas of growth and well-being.
Books
This inspiring text explores the storms and triumphs of coaches from across the globe through a scientific lens and translates them back into coaching practice, offering essential guidance on how to support both new and experienced coaches in their work and professional development.
Each powerful case study helps readers see coaching through a different lens, prompting reflection, thoughtful discussion, and creative problem-solving.
This book is essential reading for coaches and those working with them
Get in touch
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