Travels From South Australia
Speaker Topics
Balancing The Shifts: The acrobatics of being change-ready
Change isn’t something we master; it’s something we are always balancing.
In an era where life and work shift faster than ever, we often hear we need to “find balance.” But the research tells us that balance isn’t something we achieve; it’s something we engage with.
This talk introduces a transformative shift: what if, instead of fearing change, we re-trained ourselves to engage with shifts like an acrobat, adjusting in real time?
Dan’s ability to ignite engagement, challenge perspectives, and create lasting impact sets him apart. Dan doesn’t just talk about adaptability, leadership, and resilience—he embodies them, making complex ideas tangible and memorable through his signature blend of acrobatics, humor, and storytelling.
It’s time to stop chasing balance—and instead become good at balancing`
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The Acrobat's Guide to Leadership
Balancing Risk, Resilience & Decision-Making
The best leaders aren’t those who seek stability—they are those who balance uncertainty, make agile decisions, and build trust under pressure.
Great leadership is not about staying still but about constant micro-adjustments —just like an acrobat balancing at height. In this interactive and engaging session, Dan draws from his experience in elite sport, circus performance, and leadership strategy to unpack:
Why Balance Isn’t Stillness: It’s Movement – Applying Dynamic Systems Theory to leadership
How to Lead with Confidence: Strategies for navigating uncertainty and complexity
Decision-Making in High-Pressure Situations: What leaders can learn from acrobats
Building High-Trust Teams: Fostering adaptability and collaboration in leadership
Read lessThe Art of Daring Communication
How to Engage, Inspire & Influence
In a world full of noise, how you communicate determines your impact. Whether leading a team, pitching an idea, or speaking on stage, the ability to engage, inspire, and connect is essential.
Using insights from performance, leadership, and psychology, Dan reveals how elite communicators capture attention, inspire action, and make messages stick.
The Science of Attention & Influence: What makes people listen and engage
Performance-Based Techniques: Using voice, movement, and storytelling to command presence
The Power of Clarity & Authenticity: How to simplify messages without losing depth
Real-World Applications: Practical tools for leaders, teams, and professionals
Read lessThe Mindset of Innovation
Embracing Creativity & Risk
Innovation starts with courage—the courage to experiment, fail, and think differently.
Innovation isn’t a lightning bolt—it’s a mindset. The greatest breakthroughs, whether in business, leadership, or the arts, come from embracing risk, reframing failure, and fostering a culture of creativity.
Reframe Failure as Fuel for Innovation: What performers, entrepreneurs, and leaders do differently
Unlock Creative Confidence: Practical ways to step into uncertainty and push boundaries
Shift from Perfection to Play: Why experimentation and iteration are at the heart of great ideas
Build Environments Where Creativity Thrives: Strategies for leaders and teams to foster innovation
Read lessDan Aubin
The Acrobat of Adaptability: Courageous Leadership and Bold Communication
Dan Aubin is a communication specialist, TEDx Speaker, and coach who has been helping leaders and teams thrive for over two decades. Through his company, Daring Humans, he empowers organisations to bring important ideas to life in ways that are engaging, strategic, and deeply human.
Dan’s career flourished in academia, as a lecturer and researcher at Charles Sturt University, where he focused on communication, strategic thinking, creativity, and leadership. After winning a teaching award for excellence and innovation, Dan decided to take theory beyond the classroom. Trading academia for the energy of business, Dan launched Daring Humans to make powerful communication tools accessible to leaders navigating real-world challenges.
What sets Dan apart is the way he blends intellect with movement. With a background in elite gymnastics, acting, stunts, and circus, he brings a uniquely embodied style to every presentation. As CEO and Artistic Director of the South Australian Circus Centre: Cirkidz, he witnessed first-hand how creativity and performance fuel leadership and innovation. His journey has since taken him from designing corporate leadership programs to stunt doubling Mark Wahlberg, from performing in NBA stadiums to teaching medical educators, from facilitating city-wide strategic plans to coaching business leaders through change and complexity.
At the heart of Dan’s work is balance, not as a static ideal, but as an active practice of rebalancing. Having faced and re-faced balance in his own life, he speaks with authenticity about resilience, strength, and daring leadership. Whether he’s inspiring a conference hall or guiding an executive team, Dan equips people with the tools to communicate with impact, lead with clarity, and create high-performance cultures.