David Beckham on pressure, competition, and redemption | ReThinking

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

April 2, 2026

Duration

26m

Channel

Re:Thinking with Adam Grant

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In 1998, soccer star David Beckham made international news at his first World Cup when he lost his cool and got a critical red card. But he went on to lead his teams to numerous titles, become runner up for World Player of the Year, and even be knighted for his contributions to the game. In this episode, David joins Adam at the World Economic Forum in Davos to talk about the thrill of performing under pressure, strategies for managing strong emotions, and the unifying power of sport. Adam also grills David about his competitive drive and his unwavering commitment to showing up early. Join us in person at a TED conference: https://tedtalks.social/events Become a TED Member to support our mission: https://ted.com/membership Subscribe to a TED newsletter: https://ted.com/newsletters Follow our podcasts! Podcasts: https://www.ted.com/podcasts Fixable: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/fixable How to Be a Better Human: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/how-to-be-a-better-human ReThinking with Adam Grant: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-adam-grant TED Talks Daily: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted-talks-daily TED Business: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted_business TED Health: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted-health TED Tech: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/ted-tech The TED Audio Collective is a collection of podcasts for the curious. The TED Audio Collective videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organiz...). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com.

🎤 SPEAKERS

• David Beckham

  guest

  Retired professional footballer and former England captain, known for his career at Manchester United and international play for England.

• Adam Grant

  host

  Organizational psychologist and professor, host of the Re:Thinking podcast.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, featuring David Beckham and Adam Grant, David Beckham on pressure, competition, and redemption | ReThinking explores Beckham on thriving under pressure, leadership, rivalry, and redemption arcs Beckham says he performs better with higher pressure, describing big crowds and scrutiny as motivating rather than paralyzing.

🔗 RELATED EPISODES

Kristen Bell on acting, therapy, and overcoming her people pleasing habit | ReThinking

Why you should study yourself like a scientist! with Jim Collins | ReThinking

Can you trust your gut? with GI doctor Trisha Pasricha | ReThinking

The NHL's first woman coach Jessica Campbell on breaking leadership barriers | ReThinking

How to spot psychopaths and narcissists, with Leanne ten Brinke | ReThinking

Matt Damon's passion outside of movies, in partnership with Gary White | Rethinking with Adam Grant