



Human social-connection is critical for sustaining health and wellbeing, and is central to elite sporting performance.
BURNS ET AL, 2019

LEAP – LIFESTYLES OF ELITE ATHLETIC PERFORMERS
This research explored the lifestyle practices and mindset to which world-class champion athletes attribute their success.

The athletic profile and support required to reach and sustain podium-level performance is multidimensional, integrated and individualised and psychological factors are paramount. Championship performance is likely to occur at the intersection of psychological prowess, interpersonal support, effective performance strategies and lifestyle. An integrated approach inclusive of these dimensions can be used to guide athlete development and support at both an individual level and a collective level
Burns et al. 2018
Strengthening Interpersonal Relationships in Elite Sport
> A Visual Summary
A key findings from the LEAP Study 1 established the importance of interpersonal relationships on performance, and explored the athlete / coach relationships, social scaffolds supporting athletes, laughter, and creating a high performance culture. This led to publication of an editorial piece in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that highlighted how quality relationships assist in attenuating the stress response and presented a new model: Strengthening interpersonal relationships in elite sport—a visual summary.


RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Award
> Research Impact
RMIT Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Award
> Research Impact
LEAP Research
Sport AUS - Coaching and Officiating
Engage Lauren
- Discover the lifestyle and mindset factors that contribute to the success of Olympic and World Champion winning athletes
- Explore psychological attributes such as intrinsic motivation, resilience, realistic optimism, self-regulation, and a thirst for knowledge that define elite performers
- Elevate potential by adopting the mindset and habits of successful athletes into daily life
Research Papers

On behalf of the Australian Tennis Conference Committee, thank you so much for the great speech tonight. It was most inspirational and informative and was so refreshing to hear all about your journey into elite sport. Your belief in yourself really shone through from your heart and I know you will help to inspire many young tennis players through their coaches sharing with them a little snippet of your story tonight. I am sure some of them will even recommend they take up taekwondo to improve their agility, footwork and speed of reactions. Well done.


It was amazing to have you participate in our IC ‘On and Beyond the Tour’ event. Your input was excellent and having you on the panel gave a different elite athlete and welcome non-tennis perspective to the discussions. You are such an engaging, knowledgable and warm communicator - what you had to say resonated with all attendees.


Excellent! Lauren was vibrant and engaging - the audience responded enthusiastically to her professional and entertaining approach.


Lauren is excellent. She is able to communicate at exactly the level senior school students enjoy. She is both inspiring and entertaining. I personally respect her passion and warmth that colours every attitude she has. I recommend her highly.


Excellent. As our athlete who thanked Lauren said after her speech; “ I cannot speak for anyone else but ‘I am inspired’ Thank you." From my personal viewpoint after organising 7 annual awards nights I can say she was the best speaker we have had. A true champion who really related to the audience and was very giving of here time.


Excellent. Lauren has an outstanding story to tell and is generous with her medal, autographs, photographs etc. I strongly recommend her!
