Our Creation Story
Where The Leadout Began
In cycling, a leadout is the trusted wingman who guides, informs, prepares and positions a rider so they can unleash their potential and convert opportunity into victory.
At The Leadout Group, we were created to deliver that same advantage to leaders and teams. Born from decades inside elite sport, applied psychology, and high-performance leadership, we saw a simple truth: talent alone isn't enough. People need guidance in the chaos, clarity under pressure, and the right partners beside them as they navigate critical moments of transition and performance. That is the essence of a leadout, and the foundation of our work.
Some partnerships are formed in boardrooms. Ours was forged on the climbs and trails of the Southern Highlands, where ideas flowed as freely as the mountain air.
Brad and Dave have been friends since their teenage years, decades of shared trust, challenge, and laughter. Their careers took them deep into the heart of Australian high-performance sport, leading and enabling some of the world's best athletes. Over countless mountain bike rides, they have tested and refined ideas, explored new ways of thinking, and held each other to the highest standards, always pushing forward, always leading out.
Rachel first entered the picture in 2014 as an athlete under Brad's leadership through the Rio Olympic cycle. Guided by Brad's vision and supported by Dave's expertise in neuroscience and performance, she rose to become an Olympian and World Championship medallist. Those professional relationships grew into enduring friendships and mutual mentorships, evolving into a shared mission that extends far beyond the finish line.
Together, we are The Leadout Group, a rare blend of lived Olympic experience, world-leading performance science, and proven leadership at the highest level. Our bond was not built for business alone; it was born from years of shared journeys, mutual respect, and a relentless drive to help others perform at their best, whether in sport, business, or life.
Our name comes from cycling: the lead-out is the selfless act of riding at the front to set the pace, to break the headwind, and give another the best possible shot at victory. That's our philosophy.
We exist to clear the path, accelerate your momentum, and help you go beyond winning.
Our team
Brad mcgee
Brad McGee (OAM, OLY) brings over 30 years of global experience in high-performance sport as an athlete, coach, technical director, and leadership coach. An Olympic Gold, Silver, and two-time Bronze medallist across four Games, Brad made history as the first Australian to lead all three Grand Tours — the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.
After retiring from competition, Brad transitioned into coaching and high-performance leadership, guiding individuals to World Championship and Olympic medal success and leading teams to victories in cycling’s most prestigious races, including stage wins and podiums at the Tour de France and Tour of Spain.
As High Performance Coach Advisor at the New South Wales Institute of Sport and educator at the University of Technology Sydney. Brad is a renowned leader and facilitator, mentoring coaches and high performing teams who are producing Olympic and Paralympic champions. He is recognised for building cultures of excellence founded on trust, curiosity, and growth — helping athletes, coaches and teams perform beyond winning.
David Spindler
Dr. David Spindler (MAPA, MAPS) is a globally recognised cognitive neuroscientist and performance consultant specialising in cognitive preparation of athletes and teams. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of neuroscience and elite sport, David works directly with world-class athletes and teams by providing cutting-edge neuroscience and cognitive performance strategies.
His client roster spans multiple high-performance environments and includes Olympic Champions, World Champions in endurance sports, F1, MotoGP, AMA Supercross and Motocross, Cycling, Triathlon, NFL, Football, UFC and Boxing. Notable collaborations include 35-time Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish, AMA Supercross World Champion Chase Sexton, two-time World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua, and elite teams such as UAE Team Emirates and MarcVDS World Superbike Team.
David is renowned for his expertise in extending time to exhaustion in endurance athletes, cerebral performance maximisation, and cognitive load minimisation. His groundbreaking research includes innovative concepts and the neurochemical impact of oxytocin on trust and team dynamics. As an athlete wellbeing expert, he facilitates world-class achievements through cerebral network optimisation, addressing both peak performance and the critical mental health challenges facing professional athletes.
David's philosophy centres on the principle that "Brain Chemicals Matter," and his approach combines rigorous neuroscientific research with practical, applied interventions that help elite performers not only achieve their goals but maintain their passion for their sport throughout demanding careers.
Rachel Neylan
Rachel Neylan (OLY, MSc, BAppSc) is more than a coach, she is a catalyst for transformation. As an Olympian, World Championship medalist, and former professional cyclist with over 20 years of elite sport experience, Rachel combines practical expertise with academic knowledge as a performance consultant and coach.
Rachel's journey exemplifies how extraordinary achievement often begins with a bold decision and unwavering optimism. In 2008, she left her career as a sports physiotherapist to pursue what seemed impossible, becoming a professional cyclist, despite barely knowing how to ride a bike. Within five years, she transformed herself into a World Championship silver medalist, and within eight years, she was representing Australia at the Olympics.
What sets Rachel's journey apart isn't just the medals or achievements, it's the method. She built her success through a unique combination of scientific understanding and an ability to thrive in uncertainty, merging relentless optimism with strategic implementation. Throughout her 13-year professional career, Rachel developed a specialty in performance longevity and human potential, naturally drawn to connecting people and concepts, finding innovative solutions in challenging situations, and empowering others to exceed their perceived limitations.
Now, equipped with a Masters of Science in Coaching Psychology, Rachel brings this rare blend of applied science, and high-performance coaching to help individuals and teams navigate change, optimise performance, and unlock their full potential.
