The Power of Stories with World Champion and Olympic Swimmer Felix Aubock
In this episode, David Oxley and Helmut Schuster engage in a deep conversation with Felix Aubock, an accomplished swimmer and PhD student. They explore Felix's journey from Austria to the Olympics, discussing the challenges he faced in balancing sports and academics. The conversation highlights themes of resilience, discipline, and the importance of communication and teamwork in both sports and professional life. Felix shares insights on how to navigate transitions after an athletic career and emphasizes the significance of controlling what you can control in life. The episode concludes with reflections on the journey of reinvention and the lessons learned along the way.
Creators and Guests
Host
David Oxley
Dr Oxley is a dual UK/US citizen based in Austin, Texas. David started his career as a management consultant before leading major people and corporate restructuring projects for BP PLC across Europe, USA, India, and the Middle East. He worked closely with Reliance Industries in India, one of BP’s partners, as they embarked on their big corporate restructuring. He currently spends his time researching and writing on future career trends for publications around the world including Fast Company, Forbes, Big Think, Reader’s Digest, and HR Today where he also serves as a member of the global advisory board. David was awarded his doctorate in Organizational Change at Cranfield University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Host
Helmut Schuster
Dr Schuster is a dual Austrian/British citizen who lives in London, UK. He is the former Group HR Director of BP PLC and Chairman of the Board for Ivocar Vivadent. He currently serves on the board of several dynamic start-up businesses including ExpectAI, a Greentech enterprise. Helmut is an active entrepreneur, investor, and frequent contributor to leadership and AFS Cultural programs. He completed his PhD in Economics from the University of Vienna.
Guest
Felix Aubock
Felix Auboeck is a PhD student in Political Science and International Relations at Loughborough University, specializing in private sector involvement in warfare, with a particular focus on the defence and security industry. He holds a BA in History and Political Science from the University of Michigan and an MSc in International Financial and Political Relations from Loughborough University. Felix is an accomplished athlete. He was crowned World Champion in the 400m Freestyle (2021) and European Champion in the 400m Freestyle (2024). A three-time Olympic finalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he was also named 2020 Student-Athlete of the Year at the University of Michigan. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria in 2024.
