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This little girl is me. This little girl was alway

This little girl is me. This little girl was always barefoot as a kid, she loved making mud-pies. She had a pony called Tricky, who lived up to his name. This photo of them was taken on the day she first met him. She kept him in a paddock at the end of her street where she would walk over and ride him… no lessons, no guidance, no adults. Just her and him – or with her cousin @nellieneate if she was over. Their dream was to compete at the Olympics in the ‘double-bareback’ event - no, it’s not a thing, but they were hoping it would become an event!

She was a free spirit.

Her parents were involved in the entertainment industry. When she was little they saw a naturopath, became vegetarian and began following an Indian guru who lived in Miami. They meditated every day, and this little girl would crawl under their meditation blanket and contemplate her own existence. It was safe and warm.

When she was 7 she went to a progressive school called Preshil where she flourished.

At school she was terrified of speaking in front of the class and would freeze if directly asked a question. She was once in a school choir and refused to open her mouth. This caused much frustration to her music teacher who was surely surprised, given her dad was a professional singer.

The school didn’t believe in competitive sport. Despite this, she fell in love with taekwondo at the age of 14 and by 19 she had made her first international team and competed at the World Championships at Madison Square Gardens. She was enamoured with the self-discipline and beauty of repetition and simplicity. By 26 she was Olympic Champion. Structure, tenacity, strategy, resilience, grit, injuries, had become her world.

When she retired from taekwondo, the balance came. The culmination of years of mud-pies and laying under meditation blankets, contrasted with harsh training camps in Korea, brought an equilibrium of the two. The free spirit and the structured athlete. This balance has kept her in good stead, allowed her to dream big and also get things done.

✨Advice she would give:

💛 Always value play
💛 Dancing makes you happy
💛 Continue to ask questions
💛 Friends are the best
💛 Stay cheeky

21years ago today ✨🥂 #anniversary #memories #

21years ago today ✨🥂 #anniversary #memories #grateful #olympics #olympicgold #taekwondo @austkd_ #sydney2000 #teamwork #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #together #supportteam #highperformance #highperformanceteams #teaming #dream #goals #grit #resilience

Our new business is preparing for launch 🚀 So e

Our new business is preparing for launch 🚀 So excited to share it with you all… come follow us here @integrativemedicinehub ✨ #integrativemedicine #complementarymedicine #education #professionaleducation #alliedhealth #health @m.melissalee @shelley.b.young @danny_urbinder @dannfish @vanessaleightherapy @drmarcextremewellness @colbijlsma @andreesemmens @annaandrewllaj @andrea.g.rae @kerripottharst @keoniemoore @liza.foodasmedicine @tobeyhenry @nellieneate @astray_with_me @howardamemiya @megandmeals @megan.anne31 @the.yellow.group @rawrealunrefined @lidiaeatsandreads @yay.foods.vegan @ant.neate @wellnessaustralia @bigbowlofhappy @instabecksy @shannahkennedy @kimvespa @awakenyourhealth @matthewsclaudia @mindandmotion_pilatesyogamyo @performance_edge_psychology @real_estate_kate_kateashton @warmegg @hsyatt @hollywild @charmaine_dennis @rhihardingham @weissjuani @pinkbeltproject1 @cuppaoflifecafe

I’ve never presented during an earthquake before

I’ve never presented during an earthquake before!! 💥Wonderful morning presenting to the new scholarship recipients for the @sportaushof scholarship program ✨ A group of incredibly talented athletes ⚡️ But… the EARTHQUAKE hit right as we were starting 😮 The Melbourne people all bolted out of their houses! 😂 Me included!! I thought this window behind me was about to fall in 😬 Hope everyone is safe out there 🤞#earthquake #magnitude6 #zoom #scholarship #sport #olympics #paralympics #elite #sharing #livedexperience #journey #planning #vision #mindset #connection #laughter

Totally worth the effort ✨🍜The vegetarian sto

Totally worth the effort ✨🍜The vegetarian stock was sensational, have no idea about the meat but the meat lovers slurped it up! Ramen eggs have officially changed my life too @mykburns 🥚 👏#ramen #cookingfromscratch #homemadestock #rameneggs #kidsinthekitchen #yum @adamliaw

Swede Gnocchi with Miso Butter 💥 From @ottoleng

Swede Gnocchi with Miso Butter 💥 From @ottolenghi Flavour. Made with our homemade miso from the Port Fairy Winter Weekend Festival. Bursting with limey miso umami flavour, it’s actually incredible. I haven’t found morning glory within my 5km radius but I’ve used broccoli, kale, mustard greens all with excellent results. It’s a staged process but we’ll worth the effort 🙌 @pfwwfestival #miso #homemademiso #swede #whattheheckdoicookwithswedes #gnocchi #flavour #ottolenghi #lime #umami #greens #misobutter #limezest @matthewsclaudia @mrkirkwalker

One of my all time favourite quotes, by the legend

One of my all time favourite quotes, by the legendary ballerina Margot Fonteyn ✨

Ramen Eggs ✨ My 12yo has decided Sundays are for

Ramen Eggs ✨ My 12yo has decided Sundays are for slow cooking and preparing a special meal. Today is ramen. He is slow cooking a pork stock for a shoyu ramen. I am experimenting with a vegetarian version (quietly super excited!). We prepped our ramen eggs last night and they are curing nicely. Thanks @adamliaw for the recipe 💥 @mykburns #ramen #ramennoodles #rameneggs #eggs #homemadestock #slowcooking #slowcookingsunday #slowfood #umami #shoyu #shoyuramen #sake #mirin #garlic #ginger #kidsinthekitchen

Technology can be so awesome! I recently recorded

Technology can be so awesome!

I recently recorded a piece to be used at a virtual school assembly from my ‘home studio’ 🙌

With face-to-face events harder to rely on, it’s great to have options. Transitioning to more virtual offerings I’ve enjoyed creating a space I can present and deliver meaningful presentations or pre-recorded pieces. 2 years ago I never would have imagined I could create so much content variety from home!

This recording was for Wellness Week with the theme ‘Own it’ – I love this theme and it resonates so much with the work I do with elite athletes. I put my own spin on it and shared my thoughts on two key aspects:

1. Be a knowledge seeker – a key attribute of champion athletes is they seek out experts, they ask questions and they are open to new information. Don’t expect everything to be served on a silver platter, be proactive and be inspired!

2. How would you act if you were… this is a question my coach Martin Hall used to ask me when I was training for the Olympic Games. How would you act if you were an Olympic gold medallist? Are you training now like you are a gold medallist? This question had a profound effect on elevating my training to another level. It is a question I ask myself now in relation to other aspects of my life. Try it. Sometimes it can create a small but impactful behaviour change. Here are some examples of questions you can ask yourself – insert your own words so it resonates with you:

· How would I act if I was a fully engaged parent?

· How would I act if I was a fun, loving partner?

· How would I act if I was an organised, contentious student?

· How would I act if I was fit and strong?

· How would I act if I was a kind and thoughtful friend?

Love the sign my daughter made me so she knows when she can’t interrupt during filming 💛
#silverlining #lockdown #covidtimes #resilience #adapt #beinspired #question #authenticity #homestudio #content #change #mentalhealth #wellbeing #wellness #vitality #flourishing #lifestyle #mindset #choice #motivation #inspiration #education #energiseyourteam #highvibeliving #simplestrategies

Lockdown vibes ✨🦅 #wingspan @andreesemmens is

Lockdown vibes ✨🦅 #wingspan @andreesemmens is your household playing this? 💜 #boardgames #slow #present

Eat the Rainbow! 🌈✨ Talking about FOOD for y

Eat the Rainbow! 🌈✨

Talking about FOOD for your MOOD! ✨ Recording a piece to camera for a company this week focusing on what foods we can eat to improve our mood.

Did you know around 90% of your serotonin receptors are found in your gut?

Eating a variety of different coloured plants supports microbial diversity and helps to feed the good bugs in your gut – these bugs assist neurotransmitter production (such as serotonin), which in turn can affect your mood.

There is some amazing research in the field of Nutritional Psychiatry, particularly from Dr Felice Jacka and her team at the Mood Food Centre at Deakin University. Visit their website for some great resources.

Recipe ideas to support eating the rainbow are: stir fry, fried rice, curries, hearty vegetable soups, platters with veggie sticks and dips, slow-cooked casseroles, salads 🥗🥙🍲 Pair with your favourite protein - legumes, eggs, meat, tempeh, tofu… 💥

If you would like a copy of my Eat the Rainbow tracker DM me your email 🥑🥦🍉🍓🍊🍋🍍🍅🌽🥒🥬🌶🍉🫐🫑🥥🥕🌈✨

#eattherainbow #moodfood #prebiotics #probiotics #microbialdiversity #neurotransmitters #gutbugs #polyphenols #flavanoids #serotonin #mood #food #rainbow #speaking #presenting #content @cuppaoflifecafe

Eat the Rainbow! 🌈✨ If you would like a copy

Eat the Rainbow! 🌈✨

If you would like a copy of my Eat the Rainbow tracker DM me your email and I’ll sent it to you 💛 It’s a great way to consciously track fruit & veg intake - fun for kids too! 🥑🥦🍉🍓🍊🍋🍍🍅🌽🥒🥬🌶🍉🫐🫑🥥🥕🌈✨

#eattherainbow #moodfood #prebiotics #probiotics #microbialdiversity #neurotransmitters #gutbugs #polyphenols #flavanoids #serotonin #mood #food #rainbow @cuppaoflifecafe

Can’t ask for much more than this! ⚡️ I have

Can’t ask for much more than this! ⚡️ I have been so proud to work with the team at the AIS and gold medal alumni on the Gold Medal Ready program. So much thought and consideration has gone into this program. To have it continue and adapt through Covid to support the athletes was incredible. It is so wonderful to see Harry has benefited from the program and it’s teachings. Onward to Paris… #GMR #olympics #athletes #psychologicalskillstraining #goldmedalready #education #strategies #stories #alumni #sharing

Glad someone was recording our Olympic moments!!⚡️This is my coach Martin Hall. My personal preparation at the Games involved me being completely absorbed and focussed inward. On myself and what I needed to do. There is no ‘right way’ or one way to achieve Olympic success. It is totally individual and not all athletes are the same. But for me, this meant I didn’t really engage in too much of what was around me. I didn’t take photos or record videos but I’m so glad Martin filmed EVERYTHING and @tanyapixel took some of the most wonderful and memorable photos through that time ✨ Much of the video I play at every speaking engagement I ever do was taken by Martin during that Games period 🙏 @hallstaekwondo @bridget_hall_stewart @tiffhall_xo #memories #olympics #bts #footage #photos #behindthescenes #sydney2000 #taekwondo #gratitude #team #olympicvillage

Stepping BTS at the Olympic Games - Self-Care Lea

Stepping BTS at the Olympic Games - Self-Care

Leading into the Games I was 100% focused on the gold medal. But I had never thought of what might follow immediately afterward.

From the moment I stepped off that mat, it was like a whirlwind. A blur of cameras, microphones, and interviews. I said, YES, to everything. I was on a high, my body was flooded with feel-good hormones and adrenaline.

I did so much media that I completely lost my voice.

Wherever I went, people would speak to me. Elated by the win. They all felt it too. It was an incredible time and I was more than happy to share my story and experiences. But then I lost the ability to speak, and just the sheer act of whispering "I have no voice" halted the healing process.

I stepped away. I went to the stadium's warm-up area for respite, recognising my need to manage my own wellbeing.

It didn’t stop, people still sought me out. So I carefully taped over my mouth with the strapping tape I used to use to tape my ankles. I needed to heal, to rest my vocal cords. This was a way I could visually show people I couldn’t talk right now.

Sometimes we need to take a step back, to create the space to take care of ourselves. To put our own oxygen mask on before helping others. Being able to communicate this can set clear boundaries. In this situation I was saying: "I’m here, I can’t talk right now but I’ll be back."

Once I was rested, I could begin to speak again and cheer on my teammates.

Do you have ways you communicate you are taking a break?
How do you protect yourself or set boundaries around this?

#selfcare #mentalhealth #wellbeing #media #share #leadership #motivation #support #awareness #checkoutmyphone #mobile #olympics #athletes #media #olympicgold #rest #recovery #lostmyvoice #taekwondo #boundaries #communication #clarity #expectations #strength @ausolympicteam @australiantaekwondo @vicinstsport

Getting some props ready for a Virtual School Pres

Getting some props ready for a Virtual School Presentation 💥🥇 #olympics #goldmedal #olympictorch #speaking #virtualpresentation #stories #sharing #tokyo2020 #sport #athletes #inspiration #connection #medalceremonytracksuit #sydney2000 #torchrelay #pressure #stress #controlthecontrollables

Early start this morning for a segment on the Toda

Early start this morning for a segment on the Today Show talking about athlete mindset and pressure at the Olympic Games.

Some of the take-aways from our conversation:

* The Olympic Games is a pressure-cooker environment

* Being a professional athlete you have to focus on what you know, what you have trained for and what is in your control

* The Olympics is an ordinary event (in that the game of the competition is the same as any other event), but just in extraordinary circumstances

* Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, paying attention to senses such as touch, drawing your focus to the things you know, can all assist in reducing stress and overwhelm

* The AIS’s Gold Medal Ready program is a fabulous initiative where we use the athletes voice by incorporating the lived experience of Gold Medal Winning athletes. It’s about each individual understanding their process to deal with pressure and stress and providing educational piece to teach and hone mental skills training

* Athlete health, wellbeing and safety are the number one priority. Athletes are human beings first and we need to be respectful of their decisions. We don’t always know the complexities of what is going on for them personally

* Mental health issues and pressure are not the same thing

* Athletes such as Simone Biles speaking out about what is going on for them is very courageous. Athletes are big role models and their actions can have very positive flow on effects on the community

The techniques we teach athletes to deal with stress and pressure can be applied in everyday life. Using breathing techniques or focusing on 5 things you can see, feel or touch can help the body move out of ‘fight or flight’ mode and into a more focused and calm ‘rest and digest’ state. Give it a try next time you're feeling nervous, stressed or under pressure. Pop over to my FB page or LinkedIn to watch the full interview.

#Olympics #mindset #stress #burnout #mentalhealth #breathing #performance #skills #training #respect #understanding #life #wellbeing #trustyourself #courage #athletes #wellbeing #community #support @thetodayshow @ausolympicteam @vicinstsport @theais_

One more sleep! The Olympics start tomorrow 💥 I

One more sleep! The Olympics start tomorrow 💥 If you are a business that would like a pop in session during the Games, get in touch, or pass on to someone you think might be interested 🙌🥇#olympics #speaking #sharing #stories #athletesvoice #highperformance #olympicgold #motivation #inspiration #gamesfever #tokyoolympics #olympicgames #olympicgoldmedallist

Spoons & Scoops ✨Inspired by the Spooning worksh

Spoons & Scoops ✨Inspired by the Spooning workshop with @chelseaf0x we never got to do! 🤩🌈💥#spoons #scoops #ceramics #bepresent #clay #lockdown #hanging #joy

So, yesterday I was sitting in the car at the Wool

So, yesterday I was sitting in the car at the Woolworths carpark with my son. Suddenly he says “Mum! That woman just got you!” I look up to see a mum holding an Aussie Heroes pack with my picture on it, her little girl (about 5years old) is inspired and doing kicking and punching movements. “Go!” He says. I jump out of the car and run up and introduce myself. I talk about the Olympics and tell them about the amazing Carmen Marton who is also featured. I say good bye and the woman walks off, the little girl goes kicking and punching around the corner 👊 🤩 Thanks Woolies for having me involved! Getting excited for the Games 🥳🏅 #aussieheroes #dork #seizetheday #olympics #Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics2021 #sport #athlete #faster #stronger #higher #beyourbest #taekwondo #martialarts @woolworths_au @hallstaekwondo @australiantaekwondo @ausolympicteam @sportaushof @carmen_kickass

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