Julius Thomas

Athlete, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Life mentor, Scientist

As a 2x NFL Pro Bowler and NCAA D1 Men's Basketball athlete, Julius Thomas brings a wealth of experience in high-performance environments. However, it is his dedication to helping professionals balance performance and wellbeing that truly sets him apart. Julius has partnered with some of the world's top organizations in sports and business to provide solutions and training for high-performing teams. With a Master’s degree in clinical psychology, and as an advisor for some of the world's leading academic and health organizations, Julius is at the forefront of understanding the intricacies of human behavior and performance optimization. A few of his notable involvements include: Founder & CEO of Optimal Performance | Mental Performance Specialist, San Antonio Spurs | President of the Society for Sports Neuroscience | Psychology Doctoral Intern, Nova Southeastern University (expected 2025) | Director of Mental Wellbeing, Pro Athlete Community | Behavioral Health Advisor, NFL Players Association | Advisory Board Member, Football Players Health Study at Harvard | Advisory Board Member, Men's Fitness Magazine. As Founder & CEO of Optimal Performance, Julius brings a unique blend of knowledge and expertise to his clients, refined and enhanced by his collaboration with some of the foremost experts in performance science. He has a passion for encouraging, educating, and empowering those he works with, combining his personal experiences with academic knowledge to help elite athletes, executives, and organizations achieve peak performance.

Through my work with high performers, I’ve seen firsthand how mental health struggles—like anxiety, depression, loneliness, and burnout—can hold people back. These challenges prevent many from reaching their professional potential and finding the work-life balance necessary for true fulfillment. In the services we provide at Optimal Performance, our goal is to help you develop an elite performance mindset, build optimal wellbeing, and enhance your mental performance to help you show up as your best every day. By the end of your journey with Optimal Performance, you’ll feel confident in your ability to achieve your goals and experience greater fulfillment in your life.

Workload management is one of the most challenging psychological health issues many U.S. employees face during their careers. We've all experienced the pressure and stress caused by overwhelming work demands. Year after year, technology improves and organizational efficiencies increase, yet workers continue to feel they are on the edge of what they can endure. An unmanageable workload is among the top five reasons for burnout, and chronic stress, regardless of its source, is harmful to both short- and long-term human health and wellbeing. It is crucial for employees, managers, and executives to understand that the feeling of an unmanageable workload is a significant stressor that can severely impact individual performance and wellbeing.

Julius Thomas is a leading voice in redefining human potential, focusing on the holistic wellbeing of the individual. In his TED2025 session, he explores how we can overcome the unprecedented challenges of our time by expanding the boundaries of creativity, imagination, and curiosity. By drawing from his expertise, Julius invites us to envision a future where human flourishing is not just possible, but inevitable. Join him as he reimagines what it means to thrive, offering insights and practical tools to help humanity rise to meet the transformative demands of our rapidly changing world.