Dr Anna Waters is a highly respected performance psychologist who has dedicated more than twenty-five years to understanding how people perform at their best in high-pressure environments. A former professional jockey, Anna witnessed first-hand how some athletes thrived under the demands of competition while others faltered. This fascination with the mind’s influence on performance led her to pursue psychology, ultimately earning a PhD in Applied Sport Psychology from Bangor University, where her research on confidence and rehabilitation was recognised with the British Psychological Society’s award for most outstanding PhD thesis in 2006. Her journey from athlete to award-winning psychologist gives her a unique perspective that resonates deeply with audiences.
Anna has worked across sport, the performing arts, and business, supporting individuals and organisations to consistently deliver at the highest level. She is the Director of AW Performance Psychology, where she helps performers, athletes, and executives strengthen their mental resilience, manage pressure, and build lasting confidence. Through her consultancy Chrianna Consultants Ltd, she has worked with elite teams and institutions including the British Olympic Association, UK Athletics, the GB Canoe Team, the British Equestrian Federation, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, national ballet companies, conservatoires, and global investment banks. Each of these collaborations reflects her ability to adapt world-class psychological tools to a wide range of disciplines.
For seven years, Anna worked alongside Professor Steve Peters at Chimp Management, first as Director and later as Managing Director, sharing the internationally renowned Chimp Model with sporting and corporate audiences. Her expertise bridges science and practice, making complex psychological concepts both accessible and actionable. Whether she is helping an opera singer prepare for a world stage debut, a rowing crew maintain focus in competition, or a business leader deliver under pressure, Anna’s approach is practical, insightful, and inspiring.
As a speaker, Anna combines her strong academic background with her lived experience of performing under pressure. She shares stories from her time in horse racing, lessons from working with Olympians and classical musicians, and strategies drawn from decades of psychological research. Her sessions leave audiences with clear, usable techniques for confidence, focus, and resilience. For businesses looking to improve leadership, creativity, or team performance, and for individuals seeking to unlock their potential, Anna brings credibility, energy, and a proven track record of helping people achieve excellence.
