Mo Gawdat
Former Chief Business Officer, Google X | International Bestselling Author: Scary Smart, Solve for Happy & Unstressable | AI Visionary & Serial Entrepreneur
Xesco Espar
4x European Champion Coach, FC Barcelona Handball | Bestselling Author | High-Performance & Leadership Expert
Few speakers bring what Xesco Espar does: four European Championship titles won as head coach of FC Barcelona's handball team, and 12+ years translating that elite experience into leadership and high-performance programs for global corporations. His keynotes are grounded in evidence, built on lived excellence, and leave senior audiences with practical tools, not just inspiration.
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Xesco Espar biography
Xesco Espar is one of Spain’s most respected voices on high performance, leadership, and the habits that separate good teams from extraordinary ones. Born in Barcelona in 1963, he holds a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Science from the University of Barcelona and a Master’s in Learning Psychology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He has been a professor at INEFC Barcelona since 1991, a role that has kept him grounded in both theory and practice throughout his career.
Leadership speaker Xesco Espar built his reputation across more than two decades at FC Barcelona’s handball section, where he served in virtually every role: player, youth coach, physical trainer, and ultimately head coach of the professional team. During his tenure from 1985 to 2007, he delivered four European Cups and four ASOBAL League titles, one of the most decorated coaching records in Spanish handball history. That sustained excellence at the highest level of European sport gives him something most business speakers cannot offer: direct, tested experience of what it actually takes to build a culture of consistent peak performance.
From the Pitch to the Boardroom
Since leaving elite sport, Espar has spent over a decade working with hundreds of organizations across Europe and Latin America, helping leadership teams break through performance plateaus, accelerate growth, and build the kind of team cohesion that produces results under pressure. His client roster includes IBM, Nestlé, Novartis, Pfizer, BASF, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Toyota, CaixaBank, Banco Santander, and Bayer, among many others. He delivers keynotes in both Spanish and English, adapting fluently to corporate, sports, and mixed audiences.
He is also the author of three bestselling books: Jugar con el Corazón (29 editions, over 70,000 copies sold), La Libreta: Los 10 hábitos que construyen a la gente extraordinaria, and No Limits. Beyond the stage, Espar has worked as a performance consultant to professional football clubs including Pachuca in Mexico, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Leganés, and Girona, applying the same principles of elite coaching to organizations navigating transformation and ambition.
As a speaker, Xesco Espar brings the credibility of a champion coach and the clarity of a trained educator. His sessions combine research-backed frameworks with vivid stories from the dressing room and the boardroom, giving senior audiences practical tools to raise standards, build high-performance cultures, and lead with both rigor and heart. Attendees leave not just inspired but equipped with a different understanding of what elite really means, and a clear idea of how to pursue it.
Xesco Espar Speaking Videos
Train your leadership, with Xesco Espar (part I) | EP 222
“Motivation is an amplifier of talent.” Xesco Espar, handball coach and teacher
Xesco Espar Keynote Topics
There is a fundamental gap between directing people and truly leading them. Espar draws on his decades coaching elite athletes to explore what it means to reach people at a deeper level — connecting purpose to daily behavior, building genuine commitment rather than compliance, and creating environments where teams choose to give their best. This keynote gives leaders a clear, actionable framework for making that shift and sustaining it over time.
Based on his bestselling book La Libreta, this talk examines the ten daily habits that consistently separate high performers from everyone else. Espar breaks down the behaviors, routines, and mindset patterns he has observed across elite sport and corporate life — and shows audiences exactly how to build them into their own practice. Practical, evidence-based, and immediately applicable.
What does it actually take to build a team that performs at the highest level, year after year? Drawing from his European Championship-winning years at FC Barcelona and his consulting work with clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Pachuca, Espar outlines the structural and human elements of elite team culture — from talent selection and communication to accountability and collective identity. Directly transferable to any organization with ambition.
Many teams and individuals perform well below their potential — not for lack of talent, but because of invisible limits they have accepted as fixed. In this high-energy keynote, Espar challenges audiences to question those assumptions and equips them with concrete tools to reset their performance ceiling. Combining neuroscience, sports psychology, and real coaching stories, this session consistently produces the highest levels of post-event engagement.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Xesco Espar
Why Xesco Espar?
Booking Xesco Espar for your event is a decision that brings both prestige and tangible impact. As a four-time European champion coach with FC Barcelona and a sought-after leadership expert trusted by companies like IBM, Nestlé, Volkswagen, and CaixaBank, Espar delivers something rare: the credibility of elite sport combined with over a decade of corporate keynote experience. His talks on high performance, team leadership, and the habits of extraordinary people resonate powerfully with C-suite executives, managers, and sales teams alike. At Aurum Speakers Bureau, we handle every detail of the booking process to ensure a seamless, high-quality experience for your organization and your audience.
What is Xesco Espar known for in handball?
Xesco Espar is widely recognized as one of the most successful handball coaches in Spanish history. During his tenure as head coach of FC Barcelona's professional handball team, he won four European Cup titles and four ASOBAL League championships — a record that placed Barça among the elite clubs in European handball. His coaching career at the club spanned more than two decades in various capacities, from youth development to first-team management, making him one of the most complete technical voices the sport has produced in Spain.
Has Xesco Espar written any books?
Yes — Espar is a bestselling author with three titles. Jugar con el Corazón has reached 29 editions with over 70,000 copies sold and remains a reference work on coaching philosophy and leadership in sport. La Libreta: Los 10 hábitos que construyen a la gente extraordinaria focuses on the daily habits and disciplines behind sustained excellence. His third book, No Limits, extends that framework to individuals and organizations pursuing breakthrough performance. All three books reflect the same principles he delivers on stage.
What topics does speaker Xesco Espar cover?
Xesco Espar speaks on high performance, leadership, team building, personal excellence, and the habits that drive sustained results. His keynotes draw directly from his experience as an elite coach and his work consulting for organizations across sectors. Topics include building high-performance cultures, leading through pressure and change, the psychology of peak performance, and practical frameworks for team cohesion and accountability. He presents in both Spanish and English, making him a natural fit for international corporate events. To discuss availability and program options, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau directly.
How to book Xesco Espar as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Xesco Espar as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Xesco Espar's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Xesco Espar or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Xesco Espar speaking fee?
Xesco Espar speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Xesco Espar to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Xesco Espar.
How can I contact Xesco Espar?
We only work with Xesco Espar on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Xesco Espar and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Xesco Espar speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Xesco Espar for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Xesco Espar for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Xesco Espar is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Xesco Espar for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
