Zion Armstrong

Zion Armstrong

From West Auckland to the World Stage!

Zion Armstrong’s incredible journey began with a sprint away from the police in West Auckland, igniting an athletics career that led him to the Commonwealth Games.

But that was just the beginning of his remarkable ascent.

In his early 20s, Zion became the head of footwear at Adidas NZ, demonstrating his extraordinary talent in the world of sports retail.

Climbing the corporate ladder, he travelled to HQ in Germany, before honing his leadership skills in Asia before he reached the pinnacle as the president of Adidas North America. Under his leadership, the team achieved a record $US6 billion in annual profit, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 2022, Zion made a life-altering decision to leave his high-profile lifestyle and return to New Zealand for his kids.

As a speaker, Zion Armstrong offers an extraordinary narrative of success, transformation, and the courage to embrace what truly matters. His story is an inspiration, showcasing what's possible with determination and a clear sense of purpose.

Zion's story is a profound reminder of what's truly important in life. His journey is a testament to the power of the right mindset and work ethic, balanced with a deep understanding of personal values and priorities.

ENQUIRE NOW

Zion Armstrong: From West Auckland to Adidas President, Working with Kanye, Lionel Messi & Pharrell

Episode 160

Strap in! Because this one's an epic!

Zion Armstrong's story starts in West Auckland and involves running away from the police so fast that he started an athletics career that took him to the Commonwealth Games.

At the same time, he was selling sport shoes – and at the age of 24 was head of footwear at Adidas in New Zealand. From that toehold he climbed the corporate ladder before becoming president for Adidas North America where he oversaw 12,500 staff and took annual profit to a record $US6 billion after a couple of years.

And he's got the stories to go with it, from a front row seat in seeing Lionel Messi get to the MLS, re-signing Patrick Mahomes, working with Pharrell, helicopters with Prince Albert of Monaco and dealing with Kanye West.

Then, in 2022, Zion walked away from this rock-and-roll lifestyle and returned to New Zealand in pursuit of being a better dad in the wake of his divorce, not wanting his children to experience the same disconnect he had often endured as a kid.