1988 US Olympian and international keynote speaker Leslie Maxie is a born entrepreneur, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports.
It takes an extraordinary individual to become an accomplished sportscaster, a record-holding Olympic athlete, and a highly in-demand international keynote speaker. But somehow, Leslie Maxie is able to do all of this and more.
Leslie had been interested in journalism her entire life. Amazingly, she had her first big break at the early age of 9 years old, when she interviewed the legendary athlete, Jesse Owens. It was at this moment that Leslie first realized her passion for becoming an athlete as well as a sports journalist. Leslie carried this passion all the way into college, where she would become a record-holding track & field athlete and 1988 Olympian.
Ever since then her motto has been, “excellence is not an accident.”
Leslie Maxie is available to be booked for corporate and private events. She is also well-known for her keynote and motivational speaking. Leslie Maxie has cultivated success in front of the camera, behind the camera, as well as in sports and entertainment boardrooms around the world. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Leslie Maxie’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-995-0905 to book Leslie Maxie for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
Maxie has shown audiences all over the globe how they can adapt her Olympic Mindset to keep up with the highest levels of business competition. It’s the very same mindset that allowed her to thrive as an Olympic athlete and in the hypercompetitive world of sports journalism at ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC.
In addition to being an Olympian and accomplished sports journalist, Leslie is also a self-made entrepreneur. “I’ve always had a measure of entrepreneurialism in my blood, but I was motivated by necessity,” said Maxie in an interview published by Merrill Lynch. She is the founder of Maxie Media Group, a company that provides PR consulting to influential clients. A natural-born leader, Leslie has served as an inspirational female role model to many women around the globe. She has even started her own movement, Not Your Mama’s 50, which unites women to support, empower, and encourage each other as they maximize their lives.
Maxie cut her teeth as a 9-year-old kid reporter for NBC. Also, she is one of a select few Olympic athletes who have studio anchored, reported, hosted, and executive produced on-air broadcasts as well as developed and marketed television projects for ESPN, CBS, NBC, and Fox Sports Net among others.
As a sports journalist, Leslie Maxie was a perceptive and confident interviewer and many networks took notice. Eventually, she landed a spot as one of the hosts of the talk-show “Cold Pizza” on ESPN. Soon after this, Maxie transitioned to freelancing for the network. Eventually, Leslie started her own production company, LeMax Productions LLC, in 2005.
Leslie is also the founder of Maxie Media Group, a company that provides PR, Media, and Crisis Communications training to influential clients and corporations. Her list of clients include:
Additionally, her media initiatives include being a lead member of the integrated marketing team for NASCAR. As a member of this team, she was the impetus in creating many of the new events that engaged fans, creating a positive international image for NASCAR.
Notably, Maxie led media activations for BET Media Sales. She was also in charge of the PR for NASCAR’s TV show, “Changing Lanes,” which aired on BET.
Find out how to hire Leslie Maxie to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Leslie Maxie’s availability and cost. When booking Leslie Maxie for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Leslie Maxie is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Leslie Maxie booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Leslie Maxie depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Leslie Maxie for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Leslie Maxie is available for conferences, festivals, private parties and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
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Excellence isn’t something that happens by chance—it is a deliberate, strategic pursuit that requires focus, endurance, and an unwavering commitment to growth. In this powerful keynote, U.S. Olympian, media professional, and business leader Leslie Maxie takes audiences through the mindset that has driven her world-class success in athletics, sports journalism, and entrepreneurship.
Drawing from her experience competing and thriving at the highest level in these hypercompetitive industries, Leslie introduces The Olympic Mindset—her framework for achieving sustained excellence through intentional goal-setting, mental toughness, and collaborative trust.
In today’s workplace, the generational age gap is wider than ever, bringing unique opportunities and challenges. U.S. Olympian and media executive Leslie Maxie tackles the realities of ageism—both in how we perceive others and how we see ourselves. From young professionals struggling to be taken seriously to experienced employees facing unfair layoffs, Leslie sheds light on the biases that hold businesses back and offers actionable strategies to bridge the divide.
Having delivered this keynote at the Women in Retail Leadership Summit, Leslie brings real-world insights on fostering inclusion, respect, and collaboration across generations. Audiences will leave with a fresh perspective on how to thrive in an age-diverse workplace, ensuring that talent, not age, drives success.
As a U.S. Olympian, veteran sports journalist, and self-made entrepreneur, Leslie Maxie knows what it takes to break barriers. She has built a career in underrepresented industries, proving that leadership, resilience, and strategic action can open doors—and keep them open for others.
This keynote blends Leslie’s experiences in sports, media, and business to deliver an inspiring, practical message for women professionals and the organizations that support them. She provides actionable strategies to promote gender diversity, challenge biases, and foster an inclusive workplace culture where women can thrive.
Stories aren’t just entertainment—they are the foundation of influence, connection, and business success. As the head of Maxie Media Group, U.S. Olympian Leslie Maxie is an expert in leveraging storytelling to drive impact and revenue. In this keynote, Leslie reveals how entrepreneurs, athletes, and brands can craft compelling narratives that resonate with their audiences, build trust, and create lasting influence.
Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, Leslie demonstrates how the right story can elevate a brand, differentiate it in a crowded market, and turn customers into loyal advocates. This keynote will equip you with the storytelling tools to inspire, engage, and drive results.
but last night it became crystal clear why that is so. Thank you for the professionalism, intelligence, compassion and grace you brought to the conversation. We were blessed to have you on our stage. I look forward to many more special evenings. – David DiCerto, Director of Programming, Sheen Center
Our company was truly inspired by you and your words. – Stephen Edgerton, CEO, Coldwell Banker Caine
The different buckets of excellence & looking at excellence through a lens of gratitude really resonated with me. I noted that “gratitude creates space for flow” & I really appreciate that reminder to have gratitude in all things. Thank you so much for your time, wisdom, & energy! – Amy Cammack, Realtor, New Era Group
Thank you for speaking at the conference and giving me the courage to find my excellence. – ROAR Women’s Symposium Attendee
Case studies demonstrate the impact that our talent can have on leading organizations.
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