The 2023 Australian of the Year
Taryn Brumfitt’s crusade for meaningful change has reached more than 200 million people around the world. She has taken the stage at Google HQ in Silicon Valley, travelled around Australia on a multi-city tour for Business Chicks and was named GE’s highest-rated speaker.
Taryn Brumfitt is the fierce thought leader behind the Body Image Movement. She directed Embrace and Embrace Kids; two of the most powerful and inspiring body positivity documentaries ever made. She is also a three-time best-selling author.
Ten years ago, Taryn was at war with her body. Disillusioned, she threw herself into a bodybuilding competition hoping that a perfect body would translate to a perfect life – it didn’t.
In 2013, Taryn took to social media to share the troughs and tribulations of this dangerous path. In attempt to highlight the toxicity behind aggressive “health” culture, Taryn went against the grain and posted before and after pictures on social media. The photos went viral. Overnight, Taryn received thousands of messages from other people who had faced similar struggles. Her inbox was flooded with messages of support and others who wanted to share their stories. Soon, an international movement began to form…
Embrace is a social impact documentary that explores the serious issue of body loathing, inspiring us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies. Embrace went #1 at the German box office beating Guardians of the Galaxy and King Arthur, the film has been seen by millions across the world creating a ripple of positive change. Set to make even bigger waves, her second documentary, Embrace Kids launched in September 2022 continues the conversation she began in 2016, this time highlighting the epidemic of body hate and negativity that our young people are facing today. Next year a third documentary Embrace Men will complete the trilogy.
Voted as General Electric’s highest rated speaker, Taryn is an internationally recognised sought-after keynote speaker. From Google HQ in Silicon Valley to Sky News in Scotland, Bras N Things in Singapore, Ted X talks and local school visits – Taryn’s key notes are compelling, provoking and extremely motivational.
Taryn’s work has been recognised all over the world, by United Nations Women, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, the Geena David Institute and Ashton Kutcher who famously praised her activism as “good for the world”. However far from slowing down, Taryn is approaching her most important goal yet – body image positivity for kids. Her documentary ‘Embrace Kids’, currently in production, will launch in 2022.
When not making waves, she can be found in the suburbs of Adelaide, eating dumplings, jumping off jetties and snuggling her three children.