​Saeed Esmaeli is a distinguished Olympic wrestling coach, performance psychologist and former professional dancer who has used his diverse skills and talents to achieve social change.

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Born into a renowned wrestling family in Iran, ‘the garden of wrestling’, Saeed’s early life was shaped by war, revolution and extraordinary hardship, including homelessness and cultural displacement. These experiences forged in him a deep resilience and a sense of purpose rooted in the importance of kindness.

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Having trained and competed as a freestyle Olympic wrestler, in 2019 he founded Wrestle for Humanity, a non profit initiative that uses wrestling to support refugees, offenders, and those facing mental health and addiction challenges. His inclusive program Wrestling for any-Body™, offers adapted classes for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence and is the first of its kind in the world.

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Saeeds approach is rooted in the ancient Persian tradition Pahlevani wrestling, a practice that emphasises humility and service to others. He has developed this to become an alternative to traditional therapy, combining it with life coaching to help people overcoming anxiety and depression, bounce back from whatever stands in their way and to pursue the life they chose.

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A former UK national jazz dance champion, Saeed has performed with internationally renowned artists and coached elite athletes including Olympic gold medalists and world champions. He is currently working with the USA national team in the run up to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.