Inspiring Excellence - Business Chicks’ International Women’s Day tour 2024

I often joke that International Women’s Day should be every day, or at least an entire month… This year, I got my wish! I was invited by the amazing Emma Isaacs, Founder of Business Chicks, to share my secrets to gold medal excellence with thousands of businesswomen across Australia. It was truly a dream come true.

Nat Cook OAM OLY stands on stage facing a crowd, shot from behind, with the room lit up in purple

I had the privilege of joining Nartarsha Bamblett, Dr. Gina Cleo, Azure Antoinette, Sarah Davidson, and Emma Isaacs in capital cities across the country to share the messages of empowerment, authenticity, and turning our wildest dreams into reality. As someone who has competed in five Olympic Games, I've learned a thing or two about daring to dream big.

Group photo with Dr Gina Cleo, Nartarsha Bamblett, Natalie Cook, Azure Antoinette, Emma Isaacs and Sarah Davidson (A Spoonful of Sarah)

Emma Isaacs, the Founder and driving force behind Business Chicks, shines as a star in her own right. Now in its 19th year, Business Chicks is a powerful and inspirational community of women in business across many different industries. Witnessing these women support and lift each other to reach their full potential was a profound experience.

Nat Cook OAM OLY smiling and with her hands extended in a dynamic pose, and wearing a green suit with a white collared shirt and white sneakers.

I was just a kid when I started dreaming of winning gold for Australia, inspired by Lisa Curry's victory in the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Speaking to the Business Chicks community, I shared what it takes to pursue your ‘gold’, and the legacy you leave along the way.

One of my top tips to boost resilience and keep moving towards your goals is to reflect on your wins each day. As humans, it’s easy to find things we’ve lost at, or could have done better. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, challenge yourself to find something you've won at – any accomplishment, no matter how small – as your head hits the pillow each night.

Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Natalie Cook OAM OLY smiling, posing with postcards that each show the other winning an Olympic medal

As for legacy – it isn't just about the end result; it's about inspiring others along the journey. In Brisbane, we witnessed legacy in action: Mariafe Artacho de Solar was a 7 year old living in Peru when Kerri Pottharst and I won gold on Bondi Beach in 2000. She was inspired to pursue beach volleyball by a postcard she found in her sister’s room: a photo of Kerri and I standing on top of the podium in Bondi; freshly-won gold medals around our necks. Mariafe eventually moved to Australia, and went on to win silver in Tokyo with Taliqua Clancy. Her story resonates so deeply with mine, echoing the way Lisa Curry inspired me as a child. It’s amazing to think I will be right there on the sidelines when Mariafe and Taliqua compete in Paris.

Nartarsha Bamblett is picking up her toddler while she crouches down on stage. Nartarsha is wearing a bright pink blazer and feather headdress.

I was deeply moved by Nartarsha Bamblett's opening Acknowledgement of Country at each event, and her reminders for all women to connect with ourselves and step into our power. Tarsh's ability to deliver such a powerful message and connect us all to country whilst wrangling her toddler on stage (pictured above) was a true testament to the strength of women!

Dr Gina Cleo standing on stage wear a rust coloured jumpsuit. The background of the stage and lights is purple.

Dr. Gina Cleo (above) bravely shared a personal story that saw the foundations of her life unravel, leading her to write a book about habits. I'm passionate about the transformative power of habits, and embracing incremental growth that propels us toward our goals, so it was enlightening to hear the science to back it up. It also helped me justify why I wear the same outfit on stage every time! Dr Gina put me in the same sentence as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerburg who also wear the same thing everyday! As Dr Gina and I both say, “It's just one less decision we have to make each day.”

Azure Antoinette smiles on a stage with purple lighting, wearing a grey suit and holding a piece of paper.

And let's not forget the charismatic, funny, engaging and entertaining emcees Azure Antoinette (pictured) and Sarah Davidson, who kept the early morning audiences hyped, engaged and dancing!

Reflecting on this month spent with the incredible Business Chicks community, I’m more convinced than ever that there's nothing women can't achieve when we support each other. For every step up we take, it is so important to turn around, reach back and pull two more women up with you!

All speakers at the Business Chicks Brisbane event taking selfies on stage, with the audience lit up in purple behind them.

A heartfelt thank you to Emma Isaacs and all the Business Chicks for inviting me to be part of the International Women’s Day tour for 2024. Keep shining your guiding lights ever so bright!

Let's keep empowering each other every day of the year. Together, we're unstoppable.

Full room shot showing guests watching Nat Cook OAM OLY speaking on stage, with the room lit in purple

Business Chicks International Women's Day Brisbane event photos by Smile Darling Photography.