How nearly losing my life to petrol bombs shaped my mission to help others face their challenges
Did you know I’m the only Australian female speaker to have presented on the main platform at the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) conference two years in a row? Honestly, I didn’t either until it was recently pointed out to me. Hearing that felt like a moment worth celebrating! And to top it off, the organising committee has invited me to submit again for next year.
For those who may not know, being chosen to speak at MDRT is considered the pinnacle of achievement for speakers in the industry. It’s like being selected for your country’s Olympic team. MDRT only chooses the best of the best from around the world, which makes it an extraordinary privilege. I didn’t fully grasp how prestigious it was until after I had been booked for my first event. What an experience and an unforgettable milestone for my career.
Reflecting on this milestone, I’m reminded of a simple but powerful truth: incredible opportunities can emerge from our most difficult challenges.
From Crisis to Contribution
Years ago, at around 4 a.m., I found myself in a moment of unimaginable fear and despair. Petrol bombs had been thrown at my bungalow with the clear intention of burning me and my team alive. The overwhelming cocktail of emotions – shock, shame, guilt, fear, and rage – flooded over me.
At that moment, the idea that anything good could ever come from such a harrowing experience seemed impossible. But over time, life has a way of surprising us.
Turning Trauma into Tools
The journey from that dark chapter to where I stand today hasn’t been linear. It has taken time, therapy, medication, and, yes, many late-night dates with a block of chocolate. Eventually, though, I was able to process the lessons from that adversity and transform them into something meaningful: practical frameworks to help others navigate their own moments of crisis.
I call these “petrol bomb moments”. They aren’t always as literal as my experience – they can be grief, redundancy, bankruptcy, harassment, or any unexpected and overwhelming challenge that life throws our way. While we can’t control these events, we can learn strategies to move forward, step by step.
Helping Others Build Resilience
The frameworks I’ve developed are designed to empower professionals to handle unpredictable business challenges and unrelenting change with grace and grit. Whether it’s association members, conference attendees, or workplace teams, my goal is to equip others with tools to face their own petrol bomb moments and emerge stronger on the other side.
Standing Ovations: A Testament to what I share
One of the most humbling moments in my career came while sharing these frameworks on those big stages that I mentioned earlier. At the MDRT conferences, I spoke to 6,500 professionals in Nashville, USA, and another 5,000 in Dubai, UAE. In both cities, I was honoured with standing ovations after my keynote presentations from the audiences…plus I had hundreds waiting to have selfies with me when I came off stage. I felt like Beyonce! Ha ha. But when I put my ego aside, it is these moments that reaffirm why I do what I do. How lucky am I to have that kind of impact on people – not just to inspire, but to leave them with practical, life-changing tools to face their own challenges with strength and hope. Again, this is not what I ever thought would come from that awful crime.
From Adversity to Opportunity
Looking back, it’s humbling to see how life has transformed those darkest hours of mine into a purpose-driven career. Speaking at global events like MDRT is not just an honour but also an opportunity to share these insights with professionals worldwide.
So, as I prepare for what’s next, my message is this: resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges or bouncing back – it’s about learning, growing, and ultimately bouncing forward.
If you’re looking for a speaker who can inspire and equip your audience to handle work (and life’s) unpredictable challenges, let’s have a conversation. I’d love to help your audience build their professional resilience so they can thrive in this ever-changing world.
