Olympic champion Dominique Gisin and performance psychologist Dr. Christian Marcolli share powerful lessons on resilience, teamwork and lasting high performance.
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Dominique Gisin and Dr. Christian Marcolli deliver an inspiring keynote that bridges elite sport, psychology and leadership. Together they take audiences behind the scenes of Olympic success and explore the mindset required to perform at the highest level. Dominique Gisin’s historic Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2014 Sochi Games came after years of determination, resilience and recovery from numerous injuries. Alongside her, performance psychologist Dr. Christian Marcolli shares the science and psychology behind sustainable high performance. Their keynote offers a rare and powerful perspective on resilience, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence. Together they deliver an engaging keynote about resilience, teamwork and the mindset required to achieve extraordinary results.
Dominique Gisin and Dr. Christian Marcolli deliver a keynote that brings together the reality of elite sport and the science of high performance. Through their collaboration they offer audiences a rare insight into what it truly takes to reach the top – and to stay there.
Dominique shares her journey as an Olympic champion in Alpine skiing, while Christian explains the psychological mechanisms behind resilience, focus and sustainable success. Together they explore how the principles of elite sport apply to leadership, teamwork and personal growth.
Their talks combine authentic storytelling with deep expertise in performance, giving audiences both inspiration and practical perspectives.
Dominique Gisin is best known for winning the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The race became a historic moment in Olympic sport when Dominique and Slovenia’s Tina Maze finished with exactly the same time – the first shared gold medal in Olympic Alpine skiing.
Her victory was the culmination of a remarkable journey marked by perseverance and resilience. During her career Dominique endured numerous injuries and underwent nine knee surgeries. Several times her career seemed uncertain, yet she repeatedly fought her way back to the top.
From 2007 to 2015 she competed as a member of the Swiss National Alpine Ski Team and achieved several World Cup victories in downhill and Super-G. For multiple seasons she ranked among the world’s best athletes in her discipline.
Dominique grew up in Engelberg in the Swiss Alps in a family deeply connected to sport. Her siblings Marc and Michelle also became professional Alpine skiers and members of the Swiss National Ski Team, with Michelle later winning Olympic gold as well.
Alongside her sporting career Dominique pursued her academic interests. She studied physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich and completed her Bachelor of Science in 2018. She has since continued her studies at ETH Zurich.
Dr. Christian Marcolli brings the scientific perspective behind the performances of elite athletes and high-performing teams. As a performance psychologist he has spent decades helping leaders, organizations and athletes achieve sustainable success.
He is the founder of Marcolli Executive Excellence, a specialized consulting firm focused on leadership development, team effectiveness and organizational health. Since 1997 he has coached executives, market-leading companies and some of the world’s finest athletes, including Olympic champions and world champions.
Christian’s passion for performance is also reflected in his work as an author and speaker. His books include The Melting Point, More Life, Please!, Teach Me Patience – NOW! and Equip Yourself To Be a Business Champion, as well as the essay collections Spotlight on Performance – Executive Inspiration.
Before beginning his career as a psychologist, Christian was an elite athlete himself and played professional soccer. After an injury ended his sporting career, he pursued academic studies and earned a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology at the University of Zurich and specialized in Performance Psychology at the University of Ottawa.
Together, Dominique Gisin and Dr. Christian Marcolli explore what it truly means to perform at the highest level. Through their combined perspectives they share lessons on resilience, teamwork, leadership and personal development.
Their talks offer a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of Olympic sport while understanding the psychological foundations that support peak performance. Audiences gain insight into how individuals and teams prepare for challenges, overcome setbacks and maintain motivation over time.
They also reflect on the transition after elite sport, including Dominique’s move from the World Cup circuit to academic life studying physics. Through these experiences they explore how passion, curiosity and determination continue to shape new paths after achieving success at the highest level.
Dominique Gisin and Dr. Christian Marcolli deliver a keynote that connects Olympic achievement with the psychology of performance, leaving audiences inspired with lessons that extend far beyond the world of sport.
Keynote by Dominique Gisin & Dr. Christian Marcolli:
After winning Olympic Gold in Sochi, Dominique Gisin was often asked to share the story behind her success – from the early beginnings of her career to the setbacks, injuries and the journey toward standing on top of the Olympic podium.
Together with her sports psychologist Dr. Christian Marcolli, who played a key role in developing the mental strength required for elite sport, she created a keynote that offers a deeper look into the world of high performance.
In this engaging 60-minute presentation, Dominique Gisin and Dr. Christian Marcolli provide audiences with insight into the demanding world of elite Alpine skiing and the path toward Olympic success.
Dominique shares the experiences from her career: the challenges, the discipline required to compete at the highest level, and the determination needed to overcome repeated injuries and return to competition.
Dr. Christian Marcolli complements these stories with insights into the psychology of performance, explaining how mindset, resilience and focus play a decisive role in achieving outstanding results.
Together they draw parallels between top performance in sport and other areas where excellence is required – such as business, leadership and everyday life.
Their goal is to inspire audiences to pursue their own ambitions with determination, persistence and confidence.
Dominique Gisin and Dr. Christian Marcolli look forward to sharing their story and the lessons learned on the road to Olympic success.
Keynote by Dominique Gisin & Dr. Christian Marcolli:
After winning Olympic Gold in the downhill race at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Dominique Gisin began reflecting on the journey that led to that extraordinary moment. Together with performance psychologist Dr. Christian Marcolli, who supported her throughout her career, she now shares the story behind the success.
“A True Athlete” offers a unique look behind the scenes of elite sport through the perspectives of an Olympic champion and the psychologist who helped shape the mindset behind the performance.
The talk is presented by:
Dominique Gisin – Olympic Champion, Downhill
Dr. Christian Marcolli – Performance Psychologist
Together they explore the mental and personal journey behind top-level sport. The keynote offers insights into resilience, setbacks and the determination required to return to the top after injuries and challenges.
The talk also reflects on life after elite sport, including Dominique’s transition from the World Cup circuit to studying physics at ETH Zurich. With personal stories and reflections, the speakers explore the mindset that drives high performers and what it truly means to be a “true athlete”.
Through authentic experiences and psychological insight, the keynote reveals how passion, perseverance and mental strength shape extraordinary achievements.
Watch Dominique Gisin & Dr. Christian Marcolli in action!
