May 2022 | Keynote Entertainment Blog

May 25, 2022August 8, 2022

5 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month… All Year Round

Pride Month is all about equality and inclusion, celebrating the voices, culture, achievements and rights of LGBTQ+ communities around the world. Every June, social media is awash with rainbow-coloured logo’s, brands hyping their support, proudly publishing Pride-related content and enjoying a little glitter-covered glory. Great! But if you’re looking for ways to genuinely support the fight for Pride and contribute real value to the LGBTQ+ community, read on…

First of all, let’s set the scene with a look at where it all began. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, police raided The Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York’s West Village. Bar patrons rebelled against the injustice, fighting for their rights in what came to be known as The Stonewall Riots. Widely recognised as the catalyst of the Gay Liberation Movement, the Stonewall uprising is now commemorated every June with Pride Month celebrations around the world.

Why Celebrate Pride Month at Work?

Many of us know intuitively that diversity and inclusion are good for business. Morally it’s a no-brainer, but creating a workplace that’s a mosaic of different identities, experiences, skillsets and perspectives can also have a massive impact on the bottom line.

Diversity Council Australia’s recent Out at Work report showed that employees in organisations which are highly LGBTIQ+ inclusive are at least twice as likely as employees in non-inclusive cultures to achieve, innovate and provide excellent customer service. Likewise, the 2021-22 Inclusion@Work Index showed that workers in inclusive workplaces are 11 times more likely to be highly effective and 10 times more likely to be innovative.

When it comes to the LGBTIQ+ community, recent Gallup research in America revealed that nearly 21% of Generation Z adults (born between 1997 and 2003) and 10.5% of Millennials (born 1981-1996) identify as LGBT. With 75% of the global workforce to be made up of millennials by 2025, that’s a massive proportion of the current and future workforce right there.

And then there’s the small matter of your consumers… the current generation, which includes an increasingly larger proportion of people who identify as LGBTQ+, are a morally conscious bunch – and they’ll hold any business that’s not to account.

So doesn’t it makes perfect sense for global business leaders to embrace the LGBTQ+ community? And embracing the LGBTIQ+ community is what Pride Month is all about. It isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.

5 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate

1. Send a message from the top
The ‘lavender ceiling’ is to the LGBTQ+ community what the glass ceiling is to women. A lack of visible representation at the top can make it tough for LGBTQ+ employees to see themselves rising up the ranks. If you have people that openly identify as LGBTQ+ in a leadership position, ask them to share their experiences. Ernst & Young has strong LGBTQ+ representation in management and created this video to share their own experiences and show their support for LGBTQ+ staff. How great is that?

2. Host an Inclusion Workshop
A hands-on Inclusion Workshop led by an external professional will help you create a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees. These workshops can help teams understand the experience of people with diverse genders and/or sexualities, provide useful tips and best practice strategies to ensure LGBTQ+ inclusion, cover correct gender identity terms and how to manage pronouns to improve inclusivity.

3. Help them understand
A professional LGBTQ+ motivational speaker can have a huge impact on employee understanding and empathy. Take Ian Roberts for example – having played in 5 State of Origin series for NSW and over a dozen test matches for Australia, Ian was one of the best front rowers in the game. He was also the first openly gay man in rugby league, having come out to the public at the height of his career in 1994. While Ian received thousands of letters of support, he also received extensive hate mail – but there’s no doubt that his coming out saved the lives of many kids from suicide. After retiring from professional sport in 1998, Ian moved to the US to pursue an acting career and has since had more than 40 acting roles to his credit, working with the likes of Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey and Hugo Weaving.

Ian shares his personal journey to help motivate others to be their best whilst facing their fears, and his powerful story – along with his unique ability to connect with and inspire others – leaves an indelible mark on everyone who hears it. Other LGBTQ+ motivational speakers who also have an important story to tell include Ian Thorpe, Audrey Mason-Hyde, and JJ Ferrari. Let us know if you’d like an introduction!

4. Evaluate your discrimination & diversity policies
The perfect way to celebrate Pride Month is by taking a good long look at your year-round work policies. Diversity Council Australia’s Out at Work report showed that while 74% of LGBTIQ+ respondents said it was important to be able to be out at work, only 32% actually were. Why is that? Could your company do better at being inclusive when it comes to policies, standards or even bathroom regulations?

Once you’ve hosted your Inclusion Workshop, you’ll be able to identify pretty quickly where your areas of weakness are. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some questions to kick you off:
– Do you have a clear mission statement that prioritises fair treatment and support of the LGBTQ+ community?
– Do you have a zero-tolerance anti-discrimination policy with clear consequences for those that don’t comply?
– Do you provide equal benefits for all employees regardless of their sexual orientation— including time off for maternity/paternity leave, adoption leave and pay?

5. Create the right culture
Having an inclusive culture is the absolute end-goal for celebrating Pride, and there are some easy ways you can ramp up your efforts:
– Link inclusion to your company values and use posters, emails and videos to promote inclusive behaviours and drive the message home internally.
– Celebrate out loud when you see people adopting inclusive behaviours – you might want to share the Diversity Council Australia’s Words at Work guide as a start.
– Facilitate open discussions so that employees at all levels feel encouraged and comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions.

Pride Month is a fantastic time to acknowledge the struggles of LGBTQ+ communities worldwide and celebrate diversity and inclusion in your own workplace. But jumping on the bandwagon because, well… it’s June… and you like rainbows… is not cool. Neither is radio silence for the other 11 months of the year. Taking actionable steps to combat LGBTQ+ issues and promote inclusion should be a year-round priority – as the marvellous J.K. Rowling says, “If Harry Potter taught us anything, it’s that no one should live in a closet”.

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With Pride Month coming up in June, now is the time to lock in a LGBTQ+ motivational speaker to speak to your team. Our wonderful LGBTQ+ trailblazers include Ian Roberts, Audrey Mason-Hyde, Ian Thorpe and JJ Ferrari – all have captivating stories to tell, and will inspire real understanding and change in your team. If you’d like us to introduce you, simply get in touch with us for a chat.

May 11, 2022October 23, 2023

The West’s World-Class Talent: Perth’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

Australia’s largest and sunniest state plays host to a diverse and dramatic landscape, from coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life to vast red desert plains and national parks dotted with pristine beaches. It’s a treasure trove of unique gems… the world’s largest rock formation, bright pink lakes, the largest number of purebred camels in the world (!) and, of course, Quokkas – the happiest animal on earth. Just as impressive (though possibly not as adorable) are the world-class Motivational Speakers that call Perth, WA’s largest city, home.

Whether it’s a legendary Australian hockey coach, one of the AFL’s most influential figures, a former terrorism and war crimes prosecutor or an underwater cave diver, our Perth Motivational Speakers are a cut above. Passionate, captivating and thought-provoking, these 10 master storytellers are guaranteed to make a lasting impression. Let us introduce you…

Perth’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

1. Rabia Siddique
Rabia Siddique is a criminal and human rights lawyer, a retired British Army officer, a former terrorism and war crimes prosecutor, professional speaker, trainer and best-selling author. She also speaks multiple languages, has run several marathons, undertakes international human rights and community aid work… and manages to raise triplet boys in amongst it all! Rabia has achieved multiple honours, including a commendation from the Queen, for her human rights work in Iraq and her expert views are regularly featured in the global media. She’s also a highly accomplished speaker, last year receiving a standing ovation from an audience of 1700 for her TEDx talk ‘Courage Under Fire’. Rabia is a living example of how each one of us can be a force for positive change in our own lives and those around us, sharing her captivating story of extreme courage to inspire audiences to live with strength, integrity and humanity in the midst of their own experiences. Read more about Rabia here.

2. Dr Craig Challen OAM
When 12 boys from a Thai soccer team became dangerously trapped in a flooded cave in 2018, Dr. Craig Challen, one of Australia’s leading underwater cave and shipwreck divers, was asked to join the international rescue mission to save them. Craig worked 14-16 hour days alongside his diving partner, fellow Australian Dr Richard Harris, to help the boys to safety in a story that gripped the world (and has since been immortalised in a Hollywood movie). Craig was awarded a Star of Courage as well as the Order of Australia for service to the international community for his unwavering and selfless bravery during the successful rescue. In 2019, Craig and his diving partner were also named as the first dual Australians of the Year for their heroic efforts during the rescue mission. Craig tells his story with infectious positivity and enthusiasm, inspiring those around him to take advantage of life’s opportunities and to be ready when they arise. Read more about Craig here.

3. Ric Charlesworth
If there’s anyone more qualified than Ric Charlesworth to motivate a group to achieve their best, we’d be surprised. As former Captain of the Australian Hockey team, the State Hockey Team and the State Cricket Team, Ric (who also happens to be a qualified Doctor) spent 10 years within Federal parliament before retiring and taking on the role of National Coach of the Australian Women’s Hockey team. After 7 years at the helm, Ric took on coaching and high-performance roles with the Australian Institute of Sport, New Zealand Cricket and Indian Hockey before being appointed Coach of the Australian National Men’s team in 2008. When they won the World Cup in 2014, Ric retired to concentrate on consulting, and now shares his vast wealth of knowledge as a motivational speaker. His engaging presentations, filled with unique insight, considered advice and captivating anecdotes, are delivered with humour and enthusiasm. Guaranteed to entertain and inspire any audience, Ric is hands-down one of our most popular speakers. Read more about Ric here.

4. Dr Nikki Stamp
As a highly accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon and author of three health books, Dr Nikki Stamp is at the top of her game. A passionate advocate for women’s heart health, Nikki writes regularly for publications including The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Mamamia and The Guardian, and has appeared on the ‘Today Show’, ‘The Daily Edition’, ‘BBC World News’, ‘Conversations with Richard Fiedler’ and ‘BBC Women’s Hour’ as well as hosting ABC’s flagship science show ‘Catalyst’. Nikki is committed to raising awareness of women’s heart disease, currently the number one killer of Australian women, and is also a strong campaigner when it comes to helping women achieve in domains traditionally dominated by men. A sought-after speaker and mentor, Nikki shares the challenges she’s faced as a woman in her field, including bullying, unhealthy workplace cultures and harassment, inspiring those around her to battle through adversity to achieve their goals. Read more about Nikki here.

5. Brant Garvey
Born without his knee and lower right limb, Brant Garvey has never let anything slow him down or stand in the way of achieving his dreams. He’s a champion athlete, having competed in an array of sports including swimming, wheelchair basketball and para-triathlons, and was the first Australian above-knee amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon. He was also a member of the Australian para-triathlon team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and has completed the Rottnest Channel Swim, a 19.7km open water swim, five times to date. Brant delivers a powerful presentation to audiences, speaking openly about his life experiences and challenges to help others develop their own toolkit so they can face their fears, overcome obstacles and chase their big dreams too. Read more about Brant here.

6. Jenn Morris
Described as ‘the best player in the world and also the most resilient’ by legendary hockey coach Ric Charlesworth, dual Olympic gold medallist Jenn Morris captained one of the most successful women’s hockey teams in history. Sidelined for more than 2 years with injury, Jenn returned to take her last bow at the Sydney Olympics, scoring the winning goal in the final to cap off an astonishing decade at the highest level. After her retirement from sport, Jenn worked as Director of the Consulting Division at Deloitte, and has since taken on a number of Board, Chairwoman and Non-Executive Director roles at various organisations. Jenn shares her incredible experience both on and off the hockey pitch with audiences Australia-wide, focusing on overcoming adversity, teamwork and training. Speaking with passion and honesty, Jenn inspires others to embrace the core values of a champion. Read more about Jenn here.

7. Rob Redenbach
Whether working with the FBI, managing risk in the Middle East or safeguarding Nelson Mandela, reducing conflict has always been the backbone of Rob Redenbach’s story. From a post-graduate Law degree to a Master of Arts in Terrorism, Safety and Security, Rob’s credentials and unique real-life experience make him a respected expert in his field. His magnetic personality and master storytelling ability also make him a favourite security spokesperson in the media – you may recognise him from his regular appearances on Sunrise! Blending humour and hard facts, Rob’s interactive live presentations provide leaders of all levels with powerful insights for successfully reducing conflict and building trust – essential skills for success in any field. Read more about Rob here.

8. Michelle Cowan
At 21, Michelle Cowan became the first woman to coach professional AFL football when she was appointed Assistant Coach of West Perth Football Club in the WAFL. Now with more than 18 years experience coaching in the WAFL, AFL and AFLW, along with an AFL Football Woman of the Year award, Michelle is arguably one of the most influential figures in the football world and in the development of the game itself. Michelle’s trailblazing achievements have helped break down traditional gender stereotypes and the multitude of barriers faced by women both in sport and business. She tells her empowering story with passion and enthusiasm, connecting with and inspiring audiences at all levels to forge their own path. Read more about Michelle here.

9. Christina Matthews
In the famously male-dominated sport of cricket, Christina Matthews – CEO of the Western Australian Cricket Association – is a game-changer in every sense. One of only three women in the world to hold the position of CEO of a first-class cricket association, Christina is also Australia’s most capped female Test player, and holds the record for the most dismissals by an Australian wicket-keeper. She has had a distinguished international playing career and has inspired players of all abilities and genders, while actively helping transform the sport’s male domination. Her determination to create a gender-equal sport has seen female cricket participation numbers increase 550% across WA and ensured that the WACA has equal gender representation in leadership positions. As a speaker, Christina combines her in-depth knowledge and experience in sport with her vast business expertise, with particular focus on leadership, diversity, change management, collaboration and communication. Read more about Christina here.

10. Justin Langer
Australian cricket legend and Hall of Famer, Justin Langer, retired from test cricket in 2007 with an impressive career as a top-order batsman, amassing 7,696 runs and 23 centuries in 105 test matches. His record-breaking opening partnership with Matthew Hayden, which netted six remarkable double century stands, played a crucial role in returning the Ashes to Australia in 2006/07. After surpassing Sir Donald Bradman as Australia’s most prolific batsman in first-class cricket, Langer went on to coach, eventually taking the reigns as head coach of the Australian cricket team. Under his guidance, they won the Ashes, the T20 World Cup for the first time and were ranked number in international cricket. Justin has since authored 6 successful books and is involved with many charitable causes, receiving a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to Australian cricket and the community. Read more about Justin here.

With so much world-class talent out West, our task of selecting the 10 best Motivational Speakers was supremely difficult! If you have a brief for us we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list specific to your needs… get in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!

May 5, 2022January 17, 2024

Stars Shine in the Sunshine State: Queensland’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers.

With pristine beaches, lush rainforests, tropical islands, famous surf breaks and a half decent Rugby League team, Queensland is a magnet for holidaymakers far and wide. It’s also the main domain for many, with its tempting lure of laid-back lifestyle and 260+ days of sunshine every year a tough one to resist. But the sun isn’t the only thing shining in the Sunshine State – Queensland’s star-studded line-up of Motivational Speakers are generating some serious sparkle too!

From world-famous ballet dancer Li Cunxin to Olympic champion Libby Trickett and inspirational burns survivor Turia Pitt, these Top 10 Motivational Speakers all call Queensland home – and we’d love to introduce you.

Queensland’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

1. Ariarne Titmus
Pitted against American rival Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ariarne Titmus’ gold-medal winning effort was arguably one of the greatest Olympic races of all time. Her Olympic medal haul, which also included gold in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 800-metre freestyle and bronze in the 4×200 metres women’s freestyle relay, cemented Ariarne’s place in Australian swimming history. Passionate about health and wellness, Ariarne is a wonderful role model for future generations, as well as a captivating and insightful speaker who connects beautifully with audiences of all ages. Read more about Ariarne here.

2. Turia Pitt
When model and fitness enthusiast Turia Pitt set off on a 100km ultra-marathon in the Kimberley region in 2011, she couldn’t have imagined the tragic course her life was about to take. Caught in a grassfire, Turia suffered horrific burns to 65% of her body, and spent two months in a coma with grim odds of survival. During the next two years, Turia underwent more than 200 surgeries and had seven fingers amputated. Despite a heavy rehabilitation schedule, her inspiring courage has since seen her complete an Ironman triathlon, compete in a 20km swimming race, cycle from Sydney to Uluru and walk the Great Wall of China. She now dedicates much of her time to humanitarian causes and had raised over $200,000 for Interplast, a charity that provides reconstructive surgery to people in developing countries. Turia’s story about overcoming adversity will keep you enthralled, and her powerful message will give you a new perspective on life. Read more about Turia here.

3. Li Cunxin
If you haven’t read or watched Li Cunxin’s best-selling autobiographical work, Mao’s Last Dancer, you’re one of the few. Published and sold in over 20 countries and subsequently turned into a Hollywood feature film, Mao’s Last Dancer recounts the perseverance, vision, courage, hard work, integrity and love that drove Li from poverty-stricken China to become one of the best dancers in the world. From the Beijing Dance Academy during Mao’s regime to principal dancer with the Australian Ballet, Li’s journey is a unique tale of resilience and determination, and his presentations are a touching and empowering experience that will be long cherished. Read more about Li here.

4. Libby Trickett
With a swimming career that included gold medals at 3 consecutive Olympic Games, 8 world records, 15 world titles and 5 Commonwealth Games gold medals, there’s little doubt why Libby Trickett was dubbed ‘Australia’s Golden Girl’ of swimming. Libby’s achievements were recognised with an Order of Australia medal (OAM) for her contribution to swimming, and she was also inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. The humble superstar’s trademark million-watt smile hid a brave battle with anxiety and depression though – it was the toughest battle of her life, and taught her the importance of good mental health. Libby is now a BeyondBlue Ambassador and Queensland’s Mental Health Ambassador, sharing her story with passion and honesty, providing a rare insight into her life as one of our greatest ever swimmers and her personal struggles to overcome mental health challenges. Read more about Libby here.

5. Anthony Laye
If you’re looking to break up the monotony of meetings and conferences then let Anthony Laye, celebrity Mentalist and TV regular, take your team on an interactive and mind-blowing adventure that will leave them wondering – how the hell did he do that?! Dynamic and engaging, Anthony reveals powerful business communication and influence tools to help team members develop as leaders, influencers and communicators. Combined with some gobsmacking mind tricks that will leave the audience spellbound with wonder, magic and laughter, this is the ultimate team-bolstering experience! Read more about Anthony here.

6. Karni Liddell
A progressive and debilitating muscle-wasting disease meant that Karni Liddell wasn’t expected to live past her teenage years. But her unique attitude to life, and her will to prove that her body could do what she was told it couldn’t, saw her become a Paralympic medallist, successful businesswoman, writer, counsellor and disability champion. She encourages others to think differently about how their choices shape their health, success and attitude too – regardless of their life circumstances. Karni is the only woman in Australia with a disability to feature on the cover of Inside Sport Magazine and has proudly raised over $1million dollars for various charities. Read more about Karni here.

7. Elaine Jobson
From managing Fitness First’s sales across Europe and leading their new female brand initiative, to COO of Virgin Active in South Africa, to a pivotal role in the global expansion of Jetts Australia, Elaine Jobson has made a significant impact on the global fitness industry over the last 25 years. She’s particularly passionate about corporate culture, having led one of the most profound cultural changes in the fitness industry that resulted in Virgin Active winning the Deloitte Best Place to Work Award in South Africa. The current CEO of Jetts Australia and International was awarded ‘2023 Fit Summit Executive of the Year’ and the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network’s ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year’ in recognition of her efforts. Read more about Elaine here.

8. Steven Bradbury
One of the world’s most colourful Olympic Champions, Steven Bradbury created history when he won the Southern Hemisphere’s first ever Winter Olympic gold medal in 2002. He also won fans the world over for the honesty and humility he showed after his unexpected speed skating win. Steve overcame serious injury in his journey to the top, including a race accident that required 111 stitches and a training mishap in 2000 that resulted in a broken neck. With perseverance and hard work, that same neck was proudly adorned with an Olympic gold medal just 18 months later. Steve received ‘The Don Award’ for Australia’s best sporting performance in 2002, and in 2007 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to Australian Sport. Having presented at over 650 conference and events in 14 countries over the last 10 years, Steve is one of Australia’s most in-demand and entertaining motivational speakers. Read more about Steve here.

9. Orange Sky Laundry
Best friends Nicholas Marchesi and Lucas Patchett had a vision. They wanted to dedicate their lives to treating others the way they liked to be treated themselves, restoring respect and health standards to those less fortunate. And so Orange Sky Laundry was born. Their revolutionary idea was to remodel an old van into a free mobile laundry, delivering a washing service to the homeless, and providing somewhere safe for people to come and have a chat. They now have 9 laundry vans, each fitted with two commercial washing machines and two dryers, servicing the Sunshine Coast, South East Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. They’ve recently added shower vans to the Orange Sky fleet too. If you’re looking for an incredible success story with a conscience, you can’t go past Orange Sky! Read more about Orange Sky Laundry here.

10. McQuilty (Coco) Quirke
With an 18-year army career covering the war zones of East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic, soldier and leader, there is no-one better equipped to talk to your team about resilience and overcoming adversity than McQuilty Quirke. Having courageously battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the horrors of war in Iraq, Coco suffered multiple life-threatening injuries – including two shattered vertebrae, broken bones in every limb and a traumatic brain injury – when an improvised explosive device detonated under his vehicle in Afghanistan. The powerful lessons he learned on his journey to recovery provide the foundation for his captivating presentations. Read more about McQuilty here.

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With so many stars shining in the Sunshine State, our task of picking the Top 10 was a difficult one! If you have a brief for us we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list of Motivational Speakers specific to your needs… get in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!

May 1, 2022January 16, 2024

10 of the Best: Sydney’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

Famed for its Baywatch-worthy beaches and iconic landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, Sydney is a mecca for tourists worldwide. With an eclectic, energetic vibe and a year-round calendar of world-class events and festivals, Australia’s largest city is also home to some of the world’s most captivating Motivational Speakers. We’d love to introduce you to 10 of the best.

Whether you’re looking for a world-renowned creative genius to inspire new thinking, a leader for social change to empower and encourage action or a true survivor to reframe your definition of determination and resilience, our Sydney Motivational Speakers have you covered. Thought-provoking, dynamic and passionate, these 10 master storytellers will create an impression that lasts well beyond the last curtain call.

Sydney’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

1. Todd Sampson
If you’ve ever tuned in to ABC’s hit TV show The Gruen Transfer, you’ll recognise Todd Sampson’s artfully dishevelled form dissecting the global advertising industry’s hits and misses. Having led some of the most successful creative agencies in the world (even taking home the coveted Cannes Titanium Lion for Creative Campaign of the Year), Todd is a well-known creative genius. His Earth Hour initiative is officially the biggest environmental movement in history, and is widely recognised as one the best ideas in the world. It’s little wonder that his presentations, exploring creativity, idea generation, leadership, culture change, problem solving, bravery and adventure are always a huge hit. Read more about Todd here.

2. Kurt Fearnley AO
Being born without the lower part of his spinal cord didn’t stop Kurt Fearnley from living his dream of travelling or playing professional sport. In fact, the ‘Marathon Man’ of wheelchair sports became a world-beater, winning five World Championship titles and representing Australia at 3 Paralympics, winning 2 silver and 2 gold medals in the Marathon. But it’s off the track that Kurt sets himself apart, committing himself to helping people with disabilities or those from disadvantaged backgrounds. As well as earning Australian of the Year honours, Kurt was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to people with a disability and for his fundraising efforts for Indigenous athletes and charitable organisations. A champion in every sense, Kurt’s story is truly inspirational. Read more about Kurt here.

3. Jana Pittman
You may recognise Jana Pittman from her days as two-time Athletics World Champion and four-time Commonwealth Champion… or maybe you remember when she swapped the track for the ice, joining the Australian Women’s bobsleigh team and becoming the first women to represent Australia in both Summer and Winter Olympic games. Or perhaps you simply know her as the last woman left standing on the recent series of SAS Australia, where she won hearts with her honesty, bravery, integrity and sheer grit. Jana’s story is a roller coaster of triumph, defeat, failure and success as she transitioned from world-class athlete to doctor, author, professional speaker and mother of 6. She will take you on a journey through the peaks and troughs that shaped her professionally and personally, conquering hurdles with inspiring resilience and passion. Read more about Jana here.

4. Sophie Delezio
Sophie Delezio is a survivor. Critically injured in a car crash at the age of two, Sophie sustained burns to 85% of her body, lost both her legs below the knee, as well as her right hand and ear. Two and a half years later she was hit by a car and suffered multiple fractures and a brain injury. Her determination to embrace every opportunity and live life to the full in the years since has endeared her to a global community of followers, while her sense of fun and adventure is characteristic of her overall approach to life. With a wisdom well beyond her years, Sophie shares her journey with honesty and integrity – a true lesson in resilience and the power of positivity. Read more about Sophie here.

5. Anyier Yuol
Born in a Kenyan refugee camp before losing her parents and moving to Australia at the age of 10, Anyier Yuol knows exactly what it’s like to fight to be heard. Passionate about improving the representation of minority groups in Australia through the sport, beauty and fashion industries, Anyier works closely with government agencies, schools, businesses and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. She also founded Anyier Model Management, a modelling agency promoting talent that better represents diversity in fashion and beauty. A strong advocate for women’s and girls’ rights, refugee and gender equality, Anyier is undoubtedly one of the world’s leaders in the area of social change, and shares her story to empower and encourage others. Energetic, warm and charismatic, Anyier engages with audiences of diverse backgrounds, delivering authentic and thought-provoking presentations that captivate and inspire those around her. Read more about Anyier here.

6. Madison de Rozario
Madison de Rozario is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian athletes of all time. As the first Australian to win the elite women’s wheelchair race at the London Marathon, Madison also collected a hat-trick of gold medals, including a world record, at the World Para-athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Madison became a Paralympic champion when she won the first ever Paralympic gold medal for Australian Athletics in the women’s 800m T53. She topped off her campaign with a stunning win in the Marathon T54 on the final day of the Games. Madison talks about the importance of being proactive with mental health and learning to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones, and is living proof that the results can be staggering. Read more about Madison here.

7. Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes holds an elite place in AFL history as a dual Brownlow Medallist, dual premiership player, four-time All-Australian, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and Australian representative in the International Rules Series. Immensely proud of his Indigenous heritage, Adam is actively involved with Indigenous sport and community programs, and established The GO Foundation with fellow indigenous AFL Star Michael O’Loughlin to enable a brighter future for Indigenous Australians. In 2014, Adam was named Australian of the Year in recognition of his important work with indigenous sport and the community, as well as his advocacy in the fight against racism. He shares his story with integrity and pride, and provides a rare and honest insight into the ongoing battle for Indigenous rights. Read more about Adam here.

8. Anh Do
After a harrowing journey to Australia crammed into a nine-metre fishing boat with his family and 40 other Vietnamese refugees, Anh Do settled in Sydney and studied business law before pivoting to a successful comedy career. Anh now entertains in a variety of film, TV and hosting roles, including ‘Rove’, ‘Thank God You’re Here’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’, as well as popular ABC TV show ‘Anh’s Brush with Fame’, where he interviews and paints portraits of Australian personalities. Anh has also written many children books, including ‘WeirDo’ and ‘Ninja Kid’, while his memoir, ‘The Happiest Refugee’, took home Australian Book of the Year and Biography of the Year honours. Read more about Anh here.

9. Sam Bloom
When Sam Bloom suffered a near-fatal accident in Thailand in 2013, a shattered spine amongst her life-threatening injuries, she was devastated by her prognosis. But after her family took in an injured baby magpie, who her sons affectionately named Penguin, Sam found the inspiration to reconnect with her love of sport. Her journey to becoming three-time World Para Surfing champion and Surfing Australia Female Para Surfer of the Year was documented by her photographer husband Cameron Bloom. Cameron’s captivating photographs showed the tender bond between Sam and Penguin, inspiring a best-selling book and the Box Office hit film, ‘Penguin Bloom’, starring Naomi Watts. Read more about Sam here.

10. Nedd Brockman
A personal challenge became a social phenomenon when Nedd Brockman set out to complete the 4,000km journey from Perth to Bondi… on foot. He became the fastest Australian, and second fastest globally, over the distance – completing the feat in just over 46 days, averaging a whopping 80km daily. Nedd documented his progress on Instagram, inspiring thousands and winning the hearts of a nation in the process – from truckies and farmers to roadside workers and kids doing bake stalls, everyone cheered Nedd on. Messages of support from people including the Prime Minister, Jimmy Barnes, Ash Barty and Hollywood actor Lily James helped Nedd raise a staggering $2.5 million for homeless charity Mobilise. Read more about Nedd here.

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With so much home-grown talent in Sydney, our task of selecting the Top 10 was a difficult one! If you have a brief for us we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list of Motivational Speakers specific to your needs… get in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!