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!