Episode #32 – Leon Taylor, Commitment in Performance

“One of the big things for me is, I had no idea how rewarding it was being involved in someone else’s performance ... because it was all about me when I was an athlete and then after sport it was a real eye-opener how much intrinsic reward, enjoyment and pure joy you can gain by serving others. I think that for me is where it’s at.” – Leon Taylor Leon Taylor is curious, passionate, and accomplished. And he is fiercely committed to what he chooses to focus on. In 1996 Leon attended his first Olympic Games in Atlanta at the age of 18, representing Great Britain in diving. His commitment and training drove him to compete at the Olympic level twice more in the 2000 Sydney Games and the 2004 Athens Games. In Athens, he and his diving partner Peter Waterfield secured Britain’s first medal in the sport in 44 years, winning a silver medal in synchronized diving. His career lasted more than 20 years, which is astounding in of itself for such a physically punishing sport. His successes brought diving to the attention of the British public and led to additional investment in the development of the sport and its athletes in Great Britain.