Zoe De Toledo

Zoe De Toledo is an accomplished competitive rower and former Team GB rowing cox, best known for her role as the cox of the British Women's Eight that won a historic silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Zoe’s expertise in leadership, teamwork, and mental resilience makes her a compelling figure in the world of sports and peak performance.

Zoe's journey into the world of competitive sports began at the University of Oxford, where she earned a degree in Experimental Psychology. While at Oxford, Zoe was introduced to rowing and quickly discovered her talent as a coxswain—a role that demands leadership, precision, and strategic thinking. From winning gold at the World U23 Championships in 2009 to leading Oxford University to victory in the historic Boat Race in 2013, Zoe’s achievements reflect her relentless pursuit of excellence.

The pinnacle of her rowing career came in 2016, when she led the British Women's Eight to a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, marking the first time in history that the British women’s team had won a medal in this event. In 2018, she was inducted into the British Rowing Hall of Fame and was also appointed Ambassador for Women in Sport in 2022, furthering her commitment to promoting gender equality in athletics. Zoe also co-founded: 'WOX – The Winning Cox' a platform created by six world-class athletes to form a coxswain-specific mentoring team, for coxes, rowers, and coaches.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Zoe’s personal journey took a dramatic turn when she discovered a brain tumour, which she named ‘Steve’ just 16 months after her Olympic triumph. The tumour, discovered incidentally during an MRI scan for a research project, was benign but required a complex surgery that lasted nearly 13 hours. The successful removal of most of the tumour in early 2018 was a testament to her resilience and positive outlook, which she continues to share in her talks.

Zoe De Toledo is a sought-after speaker for her unique insights into teamwork, leadership, and overcoming adversity. Her talks often cover the importance of mental resilience, the power of strategic decision-making, and the value of perseverance. Whether discussing her Olympic journey, her rowing pursuits, or her battle with ‘Steve’, Zoe’s ability to connect with diverse audiences, from corporate teams to young athletes, has made her a prominent figure on the speaking circuit.