Former Gymnast & The First British Gymnast To Win All-Around Gold at a Major International Event, Founded Embrace Wellness & Named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year

Ellie Downie is one of Britain’s most decorated gymnasts, renowned for her groundbreaking achievements on the international stage. A former Olympian, she represented Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympics and made history in 2017 as the first British gymnast to win an all-around gold medal at a major international championship. Ellie was also instrumental in securing Great Britain’s first-ever global team medal at the 2015 World Championships. With numerous European, World and national titles to her name, she became a sporting icon before turning twenty, embodying resilience, commitment, and peak performance.

Ellie’s senior career took off in 2015 when she won three medals at the British Championships and a bronze at the European Championships, before helping Great Britain to a historic first global team medal at the World Championships. Her landmark year earned her the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

In 2016, she represented Team GB as an all-arounder at the Rio Olympics. A year later, Ellie secured her place in sporting history by becoming the first British gymnast to win all-around gold at a major international event, also collecting four additional medals at the European Championships. She continued to perform at the highest level, adding a World Championship bronze on vault in 2019.

In 2023, Ellie made the brave decision to retire from gymnastics, stepping back to prioritise her mental health after years at the pinnacle of elite sport. Since then, she has transitioned into coaching and mentoring junior athletes while also embarking on an entrepreneurial path. In 2025, she launched Embrace Wellness, her own Pilates studio in Manchester, blending her athletic expertise with a passion for accessible wellbeing. Recognised with an MBE for Services to Gymnastics in 2024, Ellie continues to inspire in sport, business, and beyond.

Ellie has featured widely across national media, from BBC Sport and ITV to Good Morning Britain, where she has spoken candidly about her gymnastics journey and athlete welfare. She has also reached mainstream audiences on reality television, including Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Alongside interviews and articles in leading sports publications, Ellie’s openness and authenticity ensure her media presence continues to inspire audiences well beyond gymnastics.

Why Hire Ellie Downie?

Ellie is an inspirational speaker whose journey embodies resilience, determination, and peak performance. As the first British gymnast to win an all-around European gold medal and a multiple medalist on the world stage, she has experienced the discipline and mindset required to achieve at the highest level. Ellie also speaks candidly about her decision to retire in 2023 to prioritise her mental health, making her a powerful voice on wellbeing, balance, and courage.

In her talks, Ellie blends personal stories of record-breaking achievements with practical lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and adapting under pressure. Her authenticity and openness resonate with audiences of all ages, from students to senior leaders, providing both inspiration and actionable insights. Whether delivering keynote addresses or school workshops, Ellie motivates her listeners to pursue excellence while maintaining balance, proving that true success lies not just in winning but in the strength to face challenges head-on.

To book Ellie to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.