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Adelaide’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers 

Adelaides' Top 10 Motivational speakers

With a captivating blend of historical charm and contemporary flair, Adelaide is famed for its laid-back vibes, world-class festivals and seriously good wine. But amongst the rolling hills and vibrant streets, the city is also buzzing with the voices of some of the world’s most dynamic and influential Motivational Speakers.  

From celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow to body image campaigner Taryn Brumfitt and tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, these Top 10 Motivational Speakers all call Adelaide home – and we’d love to introduce you. 

Adelaide’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

1. Erin Phillips: Erin Phillips isn’t just an athlete; she’s a sporting phenomenon. As the Adelaide Crows’ AFLW captain, she twice steered her team to grand final glory, delivering best-on-ground performances in both of those winning Grand Finals. Honoured with two Best & Fairest awards and two Players’ Association MVP awards during her career, Erin is regarded as one the greatest AFLW players of all time. Erin also played professional basketball at the highest level in the WNBA, represented Australia as part of the Opals team, and worked as a development coach with the Dallas Wings. Read more about Erin here. 

2. Taryn Brumfitt: When Taryn Brumfitt posted reverse ‘before’ and ‘after’ body photo’s on social media, she just about broke the internet. Highlighting our toxic health culture, that one post sparked a global body image movement that has since reached over 200 million people. Taryn’s body positivity documentary, ‘Embrace,’ has reached audiences in over 190 countries, while her follow-up documentary, ‘Embrace Kids’, helps children appreciate what their bodies can do. Taryn is passionate about putting an end to body dissatisfaction, and she’ll be using her platform as 2023 Australian of the Year to do it. Read more about Taryn here. 

3. Dr. Richard Harris: When 12 boys from a Thai soccer team became trapped in a flooded cave in 2018, Dr. Richard Harris, along with fellow Australian underwater cave diver Dr. Craig Challen, were asked to join the international rescue mission to save them. In a story that has since been immortalised in the Hollywood movie ‘Thirteen Lives’, the two men worked tirelessly to save the boys. Awarded a Star of Courage for their selfless bravery, as well as the Order of Australia for service to the international community, Richard and Craig were also named as the first dual Australians of the Year for their heroic efforts. Read more about Richard here.  

4. Poh Ling Yeow: Poh Ling Yeow’s culinary career took off in 2009 with her debut on MasterChef Australia. She soon landed her own show, ‘Poh’s Kitchen,’ on ABC, before switching to SBS with ‘Poh & Co’, which offered a captivating glimpse into her life as a cook, artist and entrepreneur. Alongside TV, Poh ventured into food writing, publishing her first bestselling cookbook in 2010 – her subsequent cookbooks have also been widely acclaimed. Besides her TV and writing career, Poh is also a talented visual artist with 14 solo exhibitions under her belt, and is represented by galleries in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Read more about Poh here. 

5. Lleyton Hewitt: Having won 30 singles titles – including the 2001 U.S. Open and 2002 Wimbledon titles – and 3 doubles titles during his illustrious tennis career, Lleyton Hewitt is hailed as one of Australia’s all-time tennis greats. Renowned for his fierce determination and commitment, he was honoured as Australia’s male athlete of the year in 2002 and Sportsman of the Year in 2003, while his leadership brought Australia Davis Cup triumphs in 1999 and 2003. Beyond the court, Hewitt enhances his legacy by mentoring players and offering insights for Channel 7 during the Australian Open. Read more about Lleyton here. 

6. Gill Hicks: In 2005, Gill Hicks’ life changed forever after she lost both her legs in the London bombings. Turning adversity into action, she founded the charity M.A.D (Making A Difference), which encourages others on the path to peace. In 2008, she carried the Olympic torch and led a small group of walkers through 22 towns from Leeds to London, inspiring people to join others in their community for respectful discussion about subjects which they may not agree on. Gill is a Peace Direct Ambassador and advocate for Leonard Cheshire Disability, and her peacemaking efforts have earned her the Iman a Amal Special Judges Award amongst other accolades. Read more about Gill here. 

7. Glenn Cooper: Glenn Cooper, a fifth-generation member of the Cooper family, joined the family brewery in 1990, bringing expertise from his own successful computer business. He played a key role in launching iconic Coopers brews like Mild Ale, Dark Ale, Lager and Clear, and now – though officially retired – stays active as Chairman and Ambassador, handling Coopers’ exports to the USA and Asia. Glenn also chairs ‘Australian Made Australian Grown’ and leads family boards including Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and Haymes Paints. For his contributions to South Australia and the arts, Glenn has been awarded a Centenary Medal and received Order of Australia honours. Read more about Glenn here. 

8. Katrina Webb: Once a promising netballer with an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship, Katrina Webb turned her journey with Cerebral Palsy into a trailblazing Paralympic career. Her diagnosis transformed what she perceived as her greatest weakness into her greatest asset, winning two gold medals and a silver in Atlanta 1996, followed by a silver and bronze in Sydney 2000. Her relentless focus on improving her mindset led to more gold in Athens, as well as a Paralympic record in the 400m sprint. Katrina’s passion for helping others continues to be her greatest inspiration, founding Silver 2 Gold High-Performance Solutions and advocating for child welfare as an ambassador for Childreach in Nepal. Read more about Katrina here. 

9. Paul Vasileff: Aged just 11 years old, and inspired by his grandmother’s sewing, Paul Vasileff began his fashion journey. By his teens, he was crafting stunning gowns for friends. At 17, he unveiled his first collection, and after graduating from Milan’s prestigious Europeo Istituto di Design, launched Paolo Sebastian in Adelaide. A proud advocate for local craftsmanship, Paul’s exquisite creations are made in South Australia, and have found their way from New York to Kuwait, gracing red carpets around the world. Now an international sensation, this 2017 Young Australian of the Year for SA is testament to the global potential of local brands. Read more about Paul here. 

10. Craig Rigney: From his time as an Aboriginal Employment Officer with Adelaide City Council to CEO and Director of Kornar Winmil Yunti, a non-profit community-controlled Aboriginal organisation focused on eradicating domestic and family violence, Craig Rigney has dedicated himself to supporting Aboriginal communities. A Ngarrindjeri Man from Gawler, Craig is passionate about driving meaningful change, continually campaigning for services that better listen to, engage with and support First Nations communities throughout South Australia. Read more about Craig here. 

With so much brilliant talent calling Adelaide home, 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… simply get in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!  

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Australia’s Top 10 Wellbeing Speakers

Australia's Top 10 Wellbeing Speakers

“Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business.”
– Richard Branson

Wellbeing isn’t just good for your people, it’s good for your bottom line too.

In this hyperconnected, hybrid work environment we now live in, workplace wellbeing has never been more important… or more of a challenge.

In an age where competition for talent is fierce, business uncertainty is high and ‘quiet quitting’ is an actual thing, creating a culture that prioritises employee health and happiness isn’t just the ‘right thing to do’ – it’s good business too.  

Research clearly shows a positive correlation between employee wellbeing and company performance across a wide variety of indicators, including firm valuations, gross profits and stock market performance. And if that’s not enough motivation, failing to look after the wellbeing of employees is now a punishable offence under new Australian Work Health and Safety laws.

Bottom line? It’s time to create a culture that prioritises wellbeing. And happily, we have some of the world’s best wellbeing speakers on hand to help you!

Australia’s Top 10 Wellbeing Speakers

These 10 passionate and inspiring wellbeing experts are the best in the business, and we’d love to introduce you…

1. Ben Crowe

ben crowe wellbeing

As mindset and performance coach of some of the world’s most influential leaders, as well as superstars like Aussie tennis legends Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott and world surfing champ Steph Gilmore, Ben Crowe knows a thing or two about winning mindsets. He’s committed to helping people find purpose, confidence and a competitive advantage while living fulfilling lives, and does it by sharing high-performance principles and emphasising the importance of authenticity, vulnerability and storytelling. Read more about Ben here.

2. Emma Murray

emma murray wellbeing

With a background in psychology and athletics, leading mindfulness and high-performance coach Emma Murray helps people from all walks of life overcome mental challenges to reach peak performance. Known as ‘the secret weapon’ behind Richmond Football Club’s premiership success, Emma’s strategies are focused on present moment awareness, emotional regulation and sustained focus. With practices rooted in mindfulness and high-performance psychology, Emma is dedicated to empowering people to excel in every moment of their lives. Read more about Emma here

3. Chelsea Pottenger

chelsea pottenger wellbeing

Chelsea Pottenger is Australia’s poster girl for mental health and mindfulness, regularly featured in the media as a leading authority on wellbeing. As an accredited mindfulness and meditation coach, Chelsea works with organisations to prioritise employee wellbeing, with major clients including global brands like eBay, Uber, Estee Lauder and Mercedes Benz. She’s also a proud ambassador for mental health charities including R U OK? and The Gidget Foundation, and has over 100,000 Instagram followers! Read more about Chelsea here.

4. Stephanie Bown

stephanie bown wellbeing

With extensive education and expertise in psychology, neuropsychology, positive psychology and organisational dynamics, Stephanie Bown offers deep insights into individual and team dynamics. As a transformational change expert and high-performance coach, Stephanie’s mission is to help people reach their full potential by guiding them to lead purpose-driven, successful and well-balanced lives. Stephanie also wrote ‘Purpose, Passion & Performance’, awarded one of Australia’s top 3 leadership books in 2021. Read more about Stephanie here.

5. Mark Bunn

Bestselling author and former AFL footballer, Mark Bunn, draws from a blend of Western science, Eastern medicine and insights from some of the world’s healthiest and highest performing people to provide practical tips for improving resilience, positivity and overall wellbeing. Mark focuses on addressing health issues such as stress, poor sleep, low motivation and burnout, and has coached communities, schools and organisations like NAB, Westpac, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and AMP. Read more about Mark here.

6. Leanne Hall

As an integrative psychologist, personal trainer and nutrition coach, Leanne Hall has been transforming lives for over 15 years. Passionate about holistic health and wellbeing, Leanne guides people on a wide variety of topics, including beauty myths, self-esteem, body image, relationships, parenting and mental health. Promoting self-care through a combination of positive psychology and mindfulness techniques, Leanne inspires people to prioritise their mind and body. Read more about Leanne here.

7. Andrew May

Andrew May is a globally recognised workplace performance and leadership strategist with a background in high-performance sports. Partnering with organisations worldwide to establish cultures of wellbeing, Andrew delivers scientifically proven strategies for lasting change. He’s a coach and confidante to many of Asia Pacific’s leading CEO’s, executives and entrepreneurs, has worked with Olympians and is the Mental Skills Coach of the Paramatta Eels NRL Team. He’s also a published author and regular media contributor! Read more about Andrew here.

8. Dr. Michael Nagel

Dr. Michael Nagel is an Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he teaches and researches in the areas of cognition, human development, behaviour and learning. He also helps workplaces incorporate mindfulness practices to tackle the increasing demands and challenges leading to stress, decreased productivity, employee absenteeism and burnout. Michael unpacks the neuroscience around mindfulness and provides practical strategies to help facilitate improved communication and enhanced workplace relationships. Read more about Michael here.

9. Luke Mathers

Luke Mathers is a stress expert and performance coach who uses neuroscience, ancient wisdom and his years of experience running successful businesses to help people harness the power of stress. Luke has helped Olympians, top CEOs, brands and teams, providing practical strategies to reduce burnout and change areas of their life that need to change. Having learned from his own experience in transforming industries, Luke helps people embrace challenges and reset how they look at stress in order to achieve optimal performance. Read more about Luke here.

10. Dr. Amy Silver

Dr. Amy Silver is a psychologist and bestselling author who is regularly featured in the media talking about how fear and other emotions impact our work. With three decades of clinical experience, Amy also holds multiple degrees, including a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Masters in Forensic Psychiatry and a Masters in Performance, and has taught and researched at Oxford University. A globally recognised expert, Amy is committed to teaching people how to create psychological safety, trust and open communication in order to shape a better future. Read more about Amy here.

With some of the world’s most highly sought-after wellbeing experts to choose from, selecting Australia’s top 10 Wellbeing Speakers was a difficult task! If you’d like help creating a culture that prioritises wellbeing, and have a specific event brief for us, we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list of speaker choices… simply get in touch with us to get the ball rolling!

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5 Reasons Event Management is One of the World’s Most Stressful Jobs

“Event Management will be fun” they said. Famous people! Glitz and glamour! Free cocktails! But if you’ve ever found yourself awake at 3am, surrounded by empty coffee cups and half-eaten pizza, wondering why you didn’t choose a less stressful career like defusing bombs or wrestling crocodiles, you’re not alone.

Official CareerCast and CareerAddict studies have found that Event Management is only slightly less stressful than running into a burning building… or landing a multi-million-dollar aircraft with hundreds of people onboard. If that comes as no surprise, never fear – we’ve got your back!

We understand that your job is the ultimate test of sanity, patience and caffeine tolerance. We know what it takes for you to flawlessly execute an event from start to finish – dealing with dates, times, venues, sponsorship, suppliers, marketing, technical requirements, catering, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, entertainers, colleagues, attendees, random stakeholders… the list goes on.

We know you wear at least a dozen hats – you’re an Accountant, a Health and Safety Manager, a Catering Supervisor, a PR Manager, a Venue Inspector and a social media guru, just to name a few.

Having spent more time with Event Managers over the last 25+ years than we have with our own families (just kidding, kinda), we’re confident we’ve got a good handle on the top pressure points of your job. And while there may not be actual lives at stake, we know that these 5 triggers can send your stress levels through the roof…

1. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines 

You’ve probably got several projects on the go at once, all with different lead times, objectives, stakeholders and budgets. You’re juggling a million balls and facing constant interruptions, switching between tasks, firing off emails, fielding phone calls and jumping into meetings. And all the while, deadlines are looming – to lock in your speaker, source entertainment, confirm the venue, choose your menu, get the invites out, lock in sponsors, sort out presentations… So. Many. Deadlines.

2. High visibility and intense scrutiny 

The pressure is off the charts. Once your event is underway, you don’t get another shot at it. There are no second chances. You’re responsible for everything and everyone, you’re the public face of the event. And you’ll be judged by your attendees, your peers and your bosses on that one day alone… not the other 364 that have gone into making it happen. When it works? You’re the star of the show. But when it doesn’t?

3. Murphy’s Law

You’ve been planning this for months. You’ve meticulously calculated all the risks under the sun (and some under the sea), walked the venue backwards, co-ordinated the tables, styled the room, selected a scrumptious menu catering to every known intolerance, curated the content, created the run sheet, rehearsed and tested the AV. You’ve anticipated every likely scenario and planned contingencies like a ninja. Yet… supplier stuff-ups, natural disasters, a freeway breakdown, tech fails, a medical emergency in the crowd – if there’s a crisis to be had, Murphy’s Law says it’ll happen on your big day.

4. Physical demands

While the free travel and exotic event destinations of your jet-setting job may have sucked you in initially, you rarely get time to enjoy any of it. Early mornings, late nights and weekends, most of them spent on your feet, go with the territory. As do flight delays, jet lag, a sore back and aching feet. Hours spent upright or travelling from one event to the next can take a serious toll on your physical health, with no downtime to rest and relax (or visit the chiro).

5. Budgets 

It’s a given – you’ll be asked to go bigger and better than last time, more wow factor, double the R.O.I and half the budget. I see you nodding, you know the drill. Your negotiating skills are next level, honed through hours of Bali-esque style haggling with vendors, deftly balancing ego’s and expectations like a big-top tightrope walker. ‘Miscellaneous’ expenses have you breaking out in a sweat, and you’ve become a pro at mentally re-calculating whether there’s enough padding in your contingency line.

Living the dream, right?

But we’re not here just to validate your daily struggles – we’re here to take some of the load off your over-burdened shoulders and help show the world what a rockstar event warrior you are.

How we can help you

While we know your event is the culmination of a million tiny puzzle pieces fitting together, we also know that your speaker can make or break your event. We’re here to put your mind at rest (you may not recognise the feeling).

– We know talent. And we know there’s a huge difference between a speaker and the right speaker. With an extensive network and years of experience, we know which speakers will connect with your audience, which ones will make them laugh, make them cry, make them fist-pump the air and have them standing on their seats for a second curtain call. Our speakers deliver.

– We’re more than just a booking agent. We’ll source and recommend options, book and brief the perfect speaker and take care of every single detail related to their appearance so you can concentrate on the rest of your to-do list. Fee negotiation, juggling schedules and gatekeepers, contracts, pre-event calls, travel, AV requirements, presentations – logistics are our jam.

– We’ve got top-tier speaker options to suit every budget. Just tell us what you’re looking for and what your budget is, and we’ll find a speaker that will blow your audience’s socks off. We understand it’s all about impact.

– There are no hidden costs, ever. We don’t even charge an admin fee. Your contingency line is safe with us, we promise!

– This isn’t our first rodeo. Through years of experience, we know who plays well with who in the speaker world. So if you’re booking a panel of speakers, we’ll make sure they have the chemistry to set the right tone for the night.

We understand your inner control freak is shouting right now, but rest assured we’ve got you. We’re your fairy godmother, your secret weapon, your superhero sidekick, your trusty wingman. And we’ll make you look like a superstar.

Got an event coming up? We’d love to provide you with a curated list of speakers to suit your needs… just get in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!

* Image: www.ciphr.com
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Transform Your Thinking with this 3-Step Mindset Makeover

Growth Mindset

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar

Nature versus nurture… it’s an age-old debate. Are we born with innate skills, talents and capabilities, with our potential predetermined by our genetic make-up? Or do we have the power to transform ourselves through learning, effort and dedication? That’s the difference between a ‘fixed’ and a ‘growth’ mindset, between self-imposed limits and a whole world of possibilities.

Back in 2006, Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the revolutionary idea of the ‘growth mindset’ – a belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication and continuous learning, rather than being predestined. It’s since become a bit of a cult concept, widely accepted around the world as a critical driver of success.  

A growth mindset isn’t simply about being open-minded or having a positive outlook (although they’re wonderful attributes). It’s about grit and resilience, proactively overcoming negative thought patterns, embracing challenges and feedback, seeing failure as an opportunity to learn – truly believing you’re the master of your own future. It’s the ultimate motivator, and it’s the key to realising your potential.

One of the greatest quotes to capture the distinction between mindsets was articulated by Muhammad Ali – “Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

If you want to smash through those fixed, self-limiting beliefs and uncover your ‘impossible’ potential, here’s what you need to do…

1. Turn the negatives around

“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” – Henry Ford

Emma Murray, renowned high performance mindset coach with a client list including AFL Premiership clubs and Olympic stars, believes that negative thoughts are one of the biggest roadblocks to fulfilling your potential. She says that “we have between 50,000 and 90,000 thoughts every day and mostly they revolve around the same 7-9 unhelpful themes, and they stop us doing fun stuff, taking risks, stretching ourselves and performing at our best.”

The kicker is, our thoughts aren’t necessarily real. Emma says, “They’re just stories that our over-protective minds tell us as a way of keeping us safe.” She believes that by questioning the stories we tell ourselves and recognising the thoughts that are holding us back, we can begin to achieve our potential.

High-performance coach Stephanie Bown also believes that you need to “catch yourself in the doom loop of your own making.” She suggests asking yourself whether the negative thought is helpful or unhelpful, questioning where it comes from and whether it’s just a habit you’re caught in. According to Stephanie, the way we talk to ourselves, our relationship with ourselves, can be “the difference between living in a prison of self-imposed limitations, or a sanctuary of freedom and purpose.”

Another way to turn around ‘negative’ thoughts is by reframing them. Burns survivor and humanitarian Turia Pitt suggests that next time you’re not looking forward to something, let’s say a training session, try reframing it as something you get to do, not something you have to do. It’s a simple growth mindset switch that completely changes your outlook.

In Carol Dweck’s TEDx talk, she tells a story about a high school in Chicago that, instead of giving kids a ‘fail’ for courses they don’t pass, grades them as ‘not yet’. Those two simple words, so critical to a growth mindset, instil a belief in those kids that with work and perseverance, they will eventually succeed. It’s a beautiful way to turn a ‘negative’ around.

As Carol says, “Mindsets are an important part of your personality, but you can change them. Just by knowing about the two mindsets, you can start thinking and reacting in new ways.”

2. Learn something new

A large part of a growth mindset is realising that there are weaknesses and strengths you haven’t developed yet, opportunities you haven’t explored and so many things to learn. And that means breaking out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to try new things.

Whether it’s learning a new language, speaking in front of a crowd, mastering a musical instrument or cooking a fancy new dish, trying new things doesn’t just make you a better linguist… or public speaker… or musician… or cook… it actually makes you smarter. True, it’s called neuroplasticity.

According to the brainiacs at CCSU Business & Development, practicing a new skill increases the density of myelin – the white matter in your brain that improves performance. It also stimulates brain neurons, creating fresh pathways and connections that become stronger the more you use them.

Stephanie Bown calls this the ‘potential zone’ – the place where learning and growth happen. Where latent talent hasn’t yet been realised, where those fresh connections in your brain haven’t yet been created. Stephanie says that “Realising potential means putting your natural strengths and capabilities to work in new ways and strengthening brain interconnectivity.”

You brain learns what you teach it. It’s literally wired to adapt to the challenges and conditions you present it with. So, if you want to cultivate a growth mindset, go ahead and put it to the test!

Fun fact: To optimise the brain’s circuits, pathways and connections you rarely use simply fade away (it’s called synaptic pruning) – it’s why you probably can’t remember any of the Latin you learned in Year 7. Use it or lose it!

3. Make friends with failure

Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player of all time, once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career, I’ve lost almost 3,000 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Many people fail, some spectacularly, before they achieve great success. J.K. Rowlings manuscript of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was rejected by 12 publishing houses before it was picked up. Steven Spielberg was rejected twice by the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Jerry Seinfeld was booed off stage during his first stand-up comedy gig. History is littered with famous ‘failures’ who have gone on to achieve enormous success.

But just imagine if failure had stopped them in their tracks.

Ben Crowe, professional mentor and mindset coach to stars including Ash Barty, Stephanie Gilmore and the Australian cricket team, believes wholeheartedly that “the greatest threat to success is avoiding failure.” 

According to Ben, 90% of performances are sabotaged by the fear of failure or focusing on the result. He believes that if we treated failure like a scientist would – a negative result is simply a data point that helps prove or disprove a hypothesis, rather than a reflection of the scientist’s capability – then failure wouldn’t be an issue.

When we choose to reframe failure as learning, failure ceases to exist.

Adventurous entrepreneur Richard Branson is also one that embraces failure as a learning tool, vocal in his opinion that “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over.” Dusting yourself off and getting up again is the essence of a growth mindset.

In the end, the power to write your own story and realise your full potential lies within the choices you make. As concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl reminds us, “everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Your mindset is absolutely a choice. So why not choose growth?

We have some of Australia’s leading mindset coaches and high performance experts, including Stephanie Bown, Emma Murray, Ben Crowe and Turia Pitt, ready to provide your team with life-changing practical tools to help them harness the power of a growth mindset. If you’d like us to introduce you, simply get in touch with us for a chat!

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Meet Australia’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

motivational speakers

In a world thirsty for inspiration, Australia delivers in spades. As a growing country, we outshine many of the bigger nations when it comes to technology and innovation, the economy, leadership, education and sporting excellence. So it comes as no surprise we’re also home to world-class Motivational Speakers hailing from a variety of fields and industries – trailblazers who are out there on the global stage inspiring the next generation of great leaders and thinkers.

Whether you’re looking for a multi-award winning creative genius to inspire new thinking, a true survivor to reframe your definition of resilience or a global sporting hero to inject some team spirit, our Australian Motivational Speakers are a cut above. Passionate, dynamic and thought-provoking, these 10 master storytellers will create an impression that lasts well beyond the final curtain call. Let us introduce you…

Australia’s Top 10 Motivational Speakers

1. Todd Sampson

motivational speakers

Renowned creative genius, Todd Sampson, is a familiar face to viewers of ABC’s popular TV series ‘The Gruen Transfer’. Having helmed some of the most successful creative agencies in the world, he dissects the global advertising industry’s hits and misses with cunning astuteness and humour. Todd is also a gutsy adventurer, award-winning documentary-maker and television presenter, with international credits including the Discovery Channel’s Documentary of the Year ‘Redesign my Brain’, ‘Body Hack’ which has been nominated for Best Factual Series and Most Outstanding Documentary of the Year and ‘Life on the Line’. Read more about Todd here.

2. Sam Bloom

sam bloom

Sam Bloom’s life changed forever after a tragic accident in Thailand resulted in life-threatening injuries, including a shattered spine. Despite a devastating diagnosis, Sam’s recovery took a positive turn when her family adopted an injured magpie. Affectionately named Penguin by her sons, the bird inspired Sam to reconnect with her love of sport, setting her on a journey that would lead her to become three-time World Para Surfing champion and Surfing Australia Female Para Surfer of the Year. Her husband, photographer Cameron Bloom, captured the heartwarming bond between Sam and Penguin – photos that inspired a best-selling book and Box-Office hit film, ‘Penguin Bloom’, starring Naomi Watts. Read more about Sam here. 

3. Dylan Alcott OAM

In 2021, Dylan Alcott became the first male in history, of any ability, to claim the highly coveted tennis Golden Slam – a win at Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, Australian Open and Olympic gold in a single year. And when he retired after the 2022 Australian Open, he did so with 15 grand slam singles titles, eight grand slam doubles titles, four Paralympic gold medals and two silver medals to his credit. But it’s his off-court efforts to transform society’s perception of individuals with disabilities that really sets this Aussie legend apart, earning him numerous accolades including the 2022 Australian of the Year award. Read more about Dylan here.

4. Turia Pitt

turia pitt

In 2011, model and fitness fanatic Turia Pitt embarked on a 100km ultra-marathon in the Kimberley region, unaware of the grassfire that would change the course of her life. Sustaining horrific burns to over 65% of her body, Turia spent two months in a coma, given little chance of survival. After undergoing more than 200 surgeries, losing seven fingers and enduring a gruelling rehabilitation regimen, Turia’s incredible fortitude has seen her complete an Ironman triathlon and 20km swim race, cycle from Sydney to Uluru and trek the Great Wall of China. She has also raised over $200,000 for Interplast, a charitable organisation providing reconstructive surgery to people in developing countries. Read more about Turia here.

5. Dr Richard Harris OAM and Dr Craig Challen OAM

motivational speakers

When 12 boys from a Thai soccer team became trapped in a flooded cave in 2018, Dr. Craig Challen and Dr. Richard Harris, two of Australia’s leading underwater cave divers, were asked to join the international rescue mission to save them. They worked 16 hour days to help the boys to safety in a story that gripped the world, and has since been immortalised in the Hollywood movie ‘Thirteen Lives’). Craig and Richard were awarded a Star of Courage as well as the Order of Australia for service to the international community for their selfless bravery during the successful rescue, and were also named as the first dual Australians of the Year for their heroic efforts. Read more about Richard and Craig.

6. Nedd Brockman

nedd brockman

Nedd Brockman turned a personal goal into a social sensation by running 4,000km from Perth to Bondi, setting a record as the fastest Australian and the second fastest in the world over the distance. Completing the journey in just over 46 days, he averaged an impressive 80km each day, documenting his adventure on Instagram along the way. Nedd captured the hearts of the nation, receiving support from a diverse crowd including truckies and farmers, roadside workers and kids from all walks of life. Messages of support from the Prime Minister, celebrities like Jimmy Barnes and Ash Barty, and even Hollywood actor Lily James helped Nedd raise a staggering $2.5 million for the homeless charity Mobilise. Read more about Nedd here. 

7. Dr. Jessica Gallagher

motivational speakers

Dr. Jessica Gallagher holds the distinction of being the first Australian athlete, Olympic or Paralympic, to medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, representing Australia in Alpine Skiing, athletics and cycling. As a sight-impaired, high-performance athlete competing in a perilous, high-speed environment, Jess imparts practical techniques for shaping risk appetite and translating fear into an indispensable aspect of mindset, ability and performance. Read more about Jessica here.

8. Anthony Laye

anthony laye

From incredible mind-reading tricks to moments of sheer laughter and amazement, Anthony Laye is the master at building the ultimate team-building experience. As a celebrity mentalist and regular on TV, he takes audiences on an interactive journey that will leave them spellbound with wonder and magic, questioning “how on earth did he do that?” Anthony’s dynamic and engaging approach not only entertains, but also teaches powerful business communication and influence tools to help audience members grow as leaders, influencers and communicators. Read more about Anthony here

9. Dr. Louise Mahler

louise maher

Dr. Louise Mahler, a renowned authority on face-to-face engagement, combines her extensive experience on the European opera stage with an award-winning phD in Business, to equip individuals with the ability to ‘be heard’ in hostile environments. Using her expertise as a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Louise coaches audiences on the crucial mind-body-voice connection that she terms ‘Vocal Intelligence’, an exceptional and transformative motivational speaker experience. Read more about Louise here.

10. Kurt Fearnley AO

motivational speakers

Despite being born without the lower part of his spinal cord, Kurt Fearnley’s determination to live his life to the fullest has never wavered. He chased his dream of travelling and playing professional sport, becoming a world-class athlete, earning the nickname ‘Marathon Man’ for his wheelchair sporting achievements. With 5 World Championship titles and 4 Paralympic medals, including 2 golds, Kurt’s athletic feats are legendary. However, it’s his unwavering dedication to helping those with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds that sets him apart, and has earned him honours including Australian of the Year and Officer of the Order of Australia. Read more about Kurt here.

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

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‘Virtually Impossible’ Interactive Showcase

In this new era of virtual communication, we need to create experiences that can take a group of people, separated by distance, and make them feel present and connected.

Break up the monotony of Zoom meetings and conferences and let Anthony Laye, celebrity Mentalist and TV regular, take your team on an interactive and hysterically mind-blowing virtual adventure that will leave them wondering – how the hell did he do that?!

Anthony’s gobsmacking mind tricks are the ultimate virtual team-bolstering experience, full of wonder, magic and laughter. Losing your mind has never been more hilarious… or welcome!

For your chance to win one of 20 exclusive invites to Anthony’s ‘Virtually Impossible’ theatre showcase on 8th September at 2pm, simply email us with your details.

Find out more about Anthony, or get in touch to talk to us about engaging him for your next event.

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Sophie Delezio – An Inspiration Beyond Measure

“We are put on this planet to live, create as much happiness, joy, love and positivity as possible and to make the world a better place for the next generation”. These are the spoken words of one of Australia’s most inspirational humans – Sophie Delezio.  

Sophie’s start to life was unimaginable. At the age of 2, Sophie was involved in a horrific car accident, leaving 85% of her body covered in burns, and both legs below the knee along with one hand amputated. Three years later, Sophie was involved in another car accident, leaving her with multiple fractures and a brain injury, which resulted in 2 months of hospitalisation. Heart-breaking and overwhelming, Sophie’s journey has been one of hardship and fight.

Many years, several surgeries and therapy later, Sophie is now a confident, ambitious young woman ready to take on the world.  Sophie has never let the accidents define who she is, and her positive energy has driven her to get on with her life – from sky diving to studying in London and finding love, this courageous young woman has a truly inspirational story to tell.

Sophie’s story of courage and determination is one to raise your spirits.  Living her best life, Sophie will inspire many audiences, and that feeling of ‘you’ve got this’ will linger in conversations long after Sophie finishes speaking.

View Sophie on Anh’s Brush with Fame:

To book Sophie for your next conference or event, call us on 1300 661 904 or send us an email with your details. You can find out more about Keynote and our team of inspirational and motivational speakers here.

 

 

 

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Shaynna Blaze – Winner of Celebrity Apprentice Australia 2021

Shaynna Blaze captured our hearts and attention when launching herself onto the screen as a guest judge of The Block and most recently, winner of The Celebrity Apprentice 2021 where Shaynna showcased her business excellence and design skillset.

Entrepreneur, Businesswoman and an Award winning interior designer, Shaynna has an eye for detail and style.  Having established her Interior Design Business Blank Canvas Interiors, Shannya continued to expand her brilliance authoring two books and has penned regular columns on design, style and interiors for Stellar Magazine and The Herald Sun (to name a couple).

It was during The Celebrity Apprentice 2021 that we learnt more about Shaynna’s passion to be a voice for women and a social justice campaigner.  Shaynna is a Co-Founder of The Charity ‘Voice for Change’, a charity that is using the arts to amplify the voices of victims-survivors of abuse, and to change the cultural attitudes that underpin family violence. Shyaynna is working to create change in the family violence arena.

With an ever growing portfolio and work across various fields, Shaynna will embrace audiences with her business acremen, inspire with her flair for design and shine a light on our social environment and how it affects how we live and communicate.

Shaynna raised an incredible $470,000 during the season for her charity, Voice of Change. Photo: Channel Nine

Shaynna Blaze along side the shows Celebrity Advisors, Lorna Jane Clarkson and Janine Allis.

Photo: Channel Nine

Having sat in the elimination seat more times than any other competitor, Shaynna showed her grit and determination and it this type of drive that Shaynna brings to her keynote speaking, learn more or make an enquiry by clicking here.

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Top 20 Motivational Speakers to Inspire you in 2021

As we head into the new year, many of last years challenges may still be with us. That is why it is important to rebuild your company culture and to re-energise your team in 2021, and we are here to help you bounce back.

At Keynote, our core value is simple, we help good companies continue to perform at a high level and move to the next level through motivation and education.

And the way we do this is providing you with the best motivational and inspirational speakers in the country. Couple this along with our unmatched ability to be able to help you pick the right motivational speaker for your organisation, and it is the perfect formula to help you to continue to grow.

In line with this, we have put together a list of some of the most inspirational speakers in the country, and they are here to help you drive a new pathway forward.

We hope you can take some time to look at each of the below individuals, but of course if you are wanting some assistance with assessing the best person to meet your values, then we are here to help and happy to chat at any time  on either info@keynote.net.au or 1300 661 904.

Yours sincerely

The Keynote Team, Your Partner in Motivation.

Turia Pitt is likely to be the most inspirational person in Australia. She is also one of the most booked speakers in Australia. Turia delivers inspiration and motivation to those who thought there goals were out of reach. Click here to read more about Turia Pitt

 

Dr. Richard Harris SC OAM and Dr. Craig Challen both become national icons from their heroic in the Thai Cave Rescue. A truly remarkable story that has to be heard first hand from the men that lived it.

Click Here to read more about Dr. Richard Harris 

Click Here to read more about Craig Challen

 

 

 

 

Jess Gallagher is Australia’s only summer and winter Para Olympian, Jess is training to compete at the Summer Olympics in her third discipline, Rowing, to go along side her skiing and cycling Olympic success.

Click here to read more about Jess Gallagher

Anthony Laye is on a mission to inspire you, and he does this teaching you how to live a more conscious life.

Click here to read more about Anthony Laye

 

 

Samantha Gash is the first woman and the youngest person, to complete the Four Deserts Grand Slam, armed with the philosophy, if you want something you’ve never had you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.

Click here to read more about Samantha Gash

Kurt Fearnley is a 5 time world champion and two Para Olympic Gold Medallist for the Marathon, one of the most inspirational speakers in Australia.

Click here to read more about Kurt Fearnley

 

Emma Murray is a mindfulness and high performance coach and considered the secret weapon behind Richmond FC premiership success.

Click here to read more about Emma Murray

 

Justin Langer is the coach of the Australian Cricket team and the driving force behind their revival.

Click here to read more about Justin Langer

 

 

Rachael Robertson is one of the only two females to lead a team to Davis Station in Antarctica developing advanced leadership skills.

Click here to read more about Rachael Robertson

 

Todd Sampson is an adventurer, award-winning documentary-maker and pushing the boundaries of the body and mind.

Click here to read more about Todd Sampson

 

 

 

 Lisa McInnes-Smith shifts attitudes to improve the performance on teams and increase productivity and the bottom line.

Click here to read more about Lisa-Mcinnes-Smith

 

Gilbert Enoka is leading mental skills coach and works alongside the All Blacks to help mentally prepare them for better performance.

Click here to read more about Gilbert Enoka

 

 

Margie Warrell Empowers people to be resilient and embrace change through her personal experience and business success.

Click here to learn more about Margie Warrell

 

 

Dan Gregory helps make the impossible…possible through behaviour and belief systems, he is the master of human behaviour.

Click here to read more about Dan Gregory

 

Elizabeth Broderick AO is a world leader in gender equality and creating change in the workplace, she has worked tirelessly to break down structural and social barriers and inspire people to a better workplace.

Click here to learn more about Elizabeth Broderick

 

 

Sir Peter Cosgrove is the Leaders Leader and displays characteristics we value most as Australians.

Click here to read more about Sir Peter Cosgrove

 

 

Louise Sauvage is an amazing athlete and a 9 time Para Olympic Gold Medallist, she is an inspiration to any team.

Click here to read more about Louise Sauvage

 

 Damien Thomlinson is a soldier and Para Olympian and an inspiration to many,  his determination and commitment saw him face terror and come out triumphant.

Click here to read more about Damien Thomlinson

 

Sharon Bown is a Nursing Officer who narrowly escaped death in a near-fatal helicopter crash to go on an inspire people with her award winning novel: One Woman’s War and Peace.

Click here to read more about Sharon Bown

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 “Our Gift To You’ with Antarctica Team Leader Rachael Roberston

The next speaker in our “Gift To You Series” is  Rachael Robertson

Rachael was one of only two females to lead a team to David Station in Antarctica. She led eighteen strangers for twelve months, which makes her a perfect person to share her tips on surviving the shutdown.

In this short video Rachael shares one of the techniques she used in isolation to help build a cohesive and inclusive team.

We hope you are continuing to enjoy “Our Gift To You” series of videos.

Please feel free to get in touch with us on 1300 661 904 to discuss how a virtual presentation can help your company stay connected in lock down.