Hey, I’m Benita Olivier,
a professor, research leader, author and coach who believes that ambition and life do not need to compete. They can coexist.
Through my work across academia, healthcare and professional development, I’ve spent years alongside ambitious people who care deeply about doing meaningful work — and quietly wonder what it might cost them. My work challenges the idea that achievement requires self-erasure. Drawing on my experience as a professor, NHS research leader and trained life coach, as well as my own journey of completing a PhD while raising young children, I share a wellbeing-informed approach to productivity that helps people work at the pace of their ambition without losing themselves along the way.
An ambitious life, lived calmly
For those who want both impact and a life
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Reflections and research-informed thinking on ambition and life.
My roles and areas of impact
My work sits across a small number of interconnected roles. Each reflects a different way I contribute, lead, and support others — all grounded in the same belief: meaningful ambition is most powerful when it is sustainable.
Strategic leadership in healthcare
Shaping research cultures that improve care, capability and careers
I hold a dual role as Professor of Rehabilitation at Oxford Brookes University and Allied Health Professionals Research Lead at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. Across these two organisations, my work focuses on strategic leadership for healthcare research — building research capacity, capability and culture among allied health professionals and clinical teams. I work at the intersection of academia and healthcare, supporting systems that enable clinicians to engage in research, generate evidence, and translate that evidence into real-world impact for patients, services and staff. My aim in this role is to strengthen research as a core part of clinical practice.
Ambition, calmly
Helping ambitious people pursue what matters without losing themselves
Ambition, calmly is the home of my thinking on sustainable ambition, wellbeing-informed productivity, and working at the pace of your ambition without sacrificing your sanity. Here, I explore how meaningful work, health, relationships and joy can coexist — rather than being postponed until ‘after success’. This work is shared through my newsletter, the Weekly Research Recharge, my video series and podcast, where I interview ambitious people about how they work and live, and through practical tools such as free planning resources to support reflection and goal-setting. This work also forms the foundation of the book I am currently writing, which extends these ideas to a broader audience of ambitious professionals.
Research Masterminds
Supporting PhD students and emerging academics to work well and live well
Through Research Masterminds, I support PhD students and emerging academics as they navigate the intellectual, emotional and practical demands of research. This work includes educational videos on YouTube, reflective and practical writing on my blog Life & Academia, a growing collection of free tools and resources, and structured support such as the Study Designs and Research Methods Resource Hub. Research Masterminds is grounded in the belief that academic excellence and personal wellbeing are not opposing goals. My mission here is to help researchers develop the skills, systems and confidence they need to make progress — without burning out in the process.
Sports injury prevention research
Keeping athletes healthy so performance can be sustained
My academic research background is in sports injury prevention, with a particular focus on cricket. I am the co-editor of Cricket Sports Medicine and the founder of the Wits Cricket Research Hub for Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. Much of my research has centred on understanding how injuries occur and, more importantly, how they can be prevented so that athletes can perform well over time. I have worked with organisations including Cricket South Africa and Nike, and my work is underpinned by a simple belief: staying injury-free is a performance strategy. This work continues to inform how I think about sustainability, systems, and long-term performance in all domains.
"Marginal gains persistently lead to high impact consistently"
Benita Olivier, 2020
Reach out
I welcome thoughtful conversations, speaking and teaching invitations, and collaborations aligned with sustainable ambition, research, and wellbeing.
connect@benitaolivier.com - I can’t always reply to each one, but I genuinely appreciate you reaching out.
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Connect with me on LinkedIn for ongoing reflections, research-informed thinking, and conversation.
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