Improve Sleep Posture for Performance: Insights from Levitex Founder James Leinhardt
What if improving your sleep posture for performance could enhance your focus, energy, and recovery—especially as a business owner or athlete?
In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker interviews James Leinhardt, CEO and Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex, about how proper sleep posture plays a crucial role in long-term success, performance, and leadership. James has built a business helping people sleep better—from everyday users to elite athletes and healthcare systems.
If you’re a founder, leader, or high performer, this conversation is packed with game-changing insights.
💡 Want more expert stories like this? Check out our recent episode on navigating remote hiring with Brian Samson.
Who is James Leinhardt?
James Leinhardt is a pioneering sleep posture expert and the founder of Levitex, a company delivering innovative sleep solutions through posture-supportive mattresses and pillows. He has:
-
Supported Team GB Paralympians, British Cycling & NHS patients
-
Been featured in BBC News, Newsweek, and TechRadar
-
Delivered a TEDx Talk on sleep posture
-
Lectured at multiple UK universities on clinical sleep science
Why Sleep Posture Matters for Performance
Proper sleep posture isn’t just about comfort—it’s about preventing pain, improving breathing, and enhancing recovery.
James explains:
“Most people think sleep is just about getting enough hours, but how you sleep is just as important as how long you sleep.”
He breaks down how sleep posture for performance can impact cognitive clarity, physical recovery, and even business decision-making.
Whether you’re leading a company or training for peak performance, sleep quality matters—and posture is the missing link most people ignore.
How James Turned Sleep Science into a Business
Levitex didn’t start as a consumer brand. James began developing clinically validated foam solutions to help hospital patients avoid pressure sores. That innovation became the foundation for a product line now used by athletes and entrepreneurs alike.
But the path wasn’t easy. James talks about:
-
Educating a market that didn’t know sleep posture mattered
-
Navigating resistance in the healthcare system
-
Launching a physical product in a digital-first world
-
Using media and keynote speaking to drive awareness
Top Lessons for Entrepreneurs from James Leinhardt
Here are some standout takeaways from the episode:
🛏️ Sleep posture for performance should be a health priority
If you’re constantly tired, sore, or low on focus—it may not be stress. It might be your sleep setup.
🎯 Educate before you sell
“I never set out to sell pillows—I set out to educate people. The business followed.”
This mindset helped James establish credibility and gain trust in a new niche.
🚀 Be resilient
James says:
“I’m not working for someone else’s retirement—I’m working for my own.”
That ownership mindset helped him weather the storms and stay mission-driven.
Key Quotes from the Episode
💬 “Elite athletes don’t leave their performance to chance. They optimize everything—including how they sleep.”
💬 “Sleep posture is the quiet factor behind energy, focus, and long-term performance.”
💬 “Entrepreneurship is compounding. Every mistake becomes a lesson you carry forward.”
Signature Question: What Does It Take to Succeed?
💬 James Leinhardt’s Answer:
“Resilience. You’ll face obstacles, doubters, and setbacks, but the key is to keep going. The people who succeed are the ones who refuse to quit.”
Listen Now & Learn More
🎧 Click here to listen to the full episode
🔗 Explore more success stories on our What It Takes podcast homepage
📩 Want to grow your business smarter? Subscribe to our newsletter
Connect with James Leinhardt & Levitex
🌐 Levitex Website
📸 Instagram – @levitexsleep
🔗 LinkedIn – James Leinhardt
