Bronte Campbell won Olympic gold – now she’s redefining activewear

When Bronte Campbell stepped up to the blocks at her first Olympics in 2012, she was just 18.

What followed was more than a decade on the world stage: a four-time Olympian, triple Olympic gold medallist, and World Champion in the 50m and 100m freestyle.

But the most remarkable part of her story isn’t what happened in front of the cameras – it’s the sheer tenacity, discipline, and quiet work that happened when no one was watching.

“It takes two million minutes of preparation for a one minute race,” she says.

Think about that: the hours. The repetition. The unglamorous grind.

This is the kind of work that doesn’t seek recognition – only results.

It’s the same foundation Bronte draws on today – not to chase medals, but to build what’s next: brand, business, and environmental impact.

Alongside co-founders, Libby Babet and Chris Raleigh, Bronte has launched Earthletica – a bold activewear brand built for the customer and the planet.

“Earthletica is here to raise the bar for quality, innovation and sustainability in activewear,” Bronte tells us.

And while the world may not be watching every early-stage of her business move, Bronte knows exactly what it takes to go the distance:

“Success is determined by grinding every single day and finding creative solutions to problems. The real work happens behind the scenes.”

Same grit, different game

Bronte Campbell wearing Earthletica

After the Olympics, Bronte wasn’t looking for rest. She was looking for her next challenge.

“I’ve always been interested in taking on big challenges. The bigger the problem, the bigger the motivation.”

Her post-sport pivot began with something seemingly unrelated: a job at EY. But inside the world of corporate strategy, she found fuel for a different kind of ambition.

“I really enjoyed working at EY and solving complex problems. It actually introduced me to the problem of sustainability at scale,” she explains. “I saw how difficult it was to retrofit sustainability onto a supply chain and how much better it would be to build sustainability practices from the ground up.”

That single insight would later become the core DNA of Earthletica: a company that prioritises performance and sustainability from day one – without compromise.

“Our vision is a world where quality, innovation and sustainability exist together without compromise,” she says.

The decision to leave EY for Earthletica wasn’t safe. It was bold. But for Bronte, so was stepping onto an Olympic stage.

“Joining the founding team of Earthletica was definitely risky. I had a great and stable job … but I’m still here 18 months later pursuing something I have a passion for, changing how activewear is made and learning so much every single day.”

Not just another activewear brand

In a saturated industry full of trends and empty sustainability promises, Earthletica is doing things differently – and unapologetically well.

“We do not compromise on quality or honesty,” Bronte says. “There is no excuse for saggy leggings in a workout, or crops that don’t wick your sweat away.”

Every Earthletica product is made with recycled materials, engineered to perform, and designed to evolve.

“As soon as we clear one bar, we raise it and focus on the next bar to clear. This mindset of constant innovation sets us apart from other brands and is why our customers love us,” she says.

Bronte’s values – curiosity, excellence, kindness – live in the brand’s culture. They’re embedded in the Earthletica pillars:

Raise the bar. Got your back. Future fit.

This isn’t about launching another activewear label. It’s about reshaping what quality means – and proving you can build better without cutting corners.

The mindset that powers it all

Success in swimming is crystal clear. It’s a time on a clock. A place on the podium.

Bronte Campbell wearing Earthletica

In business, it’s murkier. More fluid. Less definitive.

“The biggest difference stepping out of my athlete life is the ambiguity of success in business,” Bronte reflects. “In my swimming world, I know down to the millisecond what success looks like. But in the business world, success is sometimes harder to define and looks different every day.”

Instead of chasing someone else’s version of success, Bronte defined her own.

“The better I can set direction and determine my success parameters in business, the better I can perform in business.”

And when setbacks come – because they always do – she brings a quiet, methodical rhythm to moving through them.

“Setbacks in business are a lot less personal than in swimming. I always just ask myself: what worked, what didn’t work, and what can I fix? Once I start moving forward, I can put a setback behind me.”

Leadership without the noise

In a world obsessed with hustle and hyper-growth, Bronte’s approach to leadership feels like a reset button. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about leading from your centre.

“Find your core values and non-negotiables and lean into your strengths,” she says. “No one has your voice. No one can lead the way you do. And you can’t do it as well if you’re following someone else’s script.”

Her non-negotiable? Space.

“Schedule time for life away from your business. For me this is surfing, tennis or yoga. If I start my day moving, I’m way more effective.”

Her guiding belief? Progress over perfection.

“Motivation is more of an action than a feeling. Even if I don’t feel like starting, any small action or beginning can help to get the inertia moving in the right direction.”

And her golden rule? Always keep testing.

“Test ideas and messages constantly. Never think this work is done or you’re finished innovating.”

What success means now

Bronte’s definition of success has evolved – dramatically.

“Success to me is more about what kind of person I want to be,” she says. “If I can have the courage to pursue the things I’m passionate about in my personal, professional and creative life, then I believe I’m successful.”

So many women are taught to build an identity in one lane and stay in it. To fear starting over.

But Bronte proves that everything from before – every win, every setback – can be reclaimed and reinvested in the next chapter.

“The first step is the hardest. It is a terrifying place just before you make a big decision – it should be scary. When I step out behind the blocks in an Olympic, big success and big failure are both possible. That’s where the magic exists.”

Earthletica’s word for the year? Growth.

Not growth at all costs – but growth with intention.

“We are committed to doing the groundwork at the start to make this successful.”

“Every business will eventually need sustainable supply chains and products – we’re just doing the work from the start.”
Bronte’s building something that’s as enduring as it is elevated. Something that doesn’t chase trends – it resets the benchmark.

What Bronte Campbell proves is this:

You can be brilliant in more than one arena.

You don’t need to have it all mapped out – just the courage to begin with what you already know to be true.

Because the strength you built in one pursuit? That discipline? That heart? That energy? It still counts. It translates.

So if you’re standing on the edge, wondering if you’re ready to start or to pivot – don’t wait.

Take a breath. Trust yourself and your training. And dive in.

• Tracey Warren is CEO & Bree Kirkham, COO, of venture capital firm F5 Collective.

Bronte Campbell wearing Earthletica