Nadine Champion

Humbled to be awarded an honorary black belt (Champions Choice) by the President of World Taekwondo, Dr Choue.
Where did your dreams start?
Mine began with my martial arts journey 40 years ago the first time I stepped onto a training mat as an excited child. My dream came alive when the instructor asked my Mum after class how long I’d been doing martial arts? She replied that it was my first time & he told her I was a “natural”- wow, my heart instantly exploded with dreams of becoming a black belt & knowing I’d found my path in life.
I have spent decades training all over the world with many incredible masters & world champions, but I am always grateful to my Sensei, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez for sharing me with me the greatest gift- passing on what we have been given.

Such fun speaking at the same big conference with my friends Aussie cricket legend Glenn McGrath OAM & Kristina Karlsson famed for both Kikii K & her resilient smile - two of the genuinely loveliest people.

Wonderful to share the stage once again with Stephen Scheeler, the former Facebook CEO ANZ, which is where we met as I presented for his team. Also sharing the stage this year with enhancing performance experts Rodney Cottam & Chris Paterson & Abbie White presenting The Growth Paradox.

Thank you to for the opportunity to spend time with your conference attendees on the Sunshine Coast, made possible by the tenacious Gerald Foley, who almost tackled me as I was leaving the lobby of another conference. After hearing me speak, Gerald invited me on the spot to open the 2026 NMB event & I’m so glad I said yes.

Last but never least, a warm thank you to my friend & colleague David Smith CDO of Liberty Financial, who warmed up the stage for me with his effortless wit & charm.

What does a standing ovation from Cartier have in common with the rounds of a title fight?

When you have the opportunity to repeatedly perform a presentation, a task, a round of competition etc, you have the chance to outperform yourself.

To keep delivering at your highest level, it’s not praise that matters, but instead seeking out honest feedback. We all know this intuitively, but it’s human to want a pat on the back over a critique. Which one leads to your growth & client satisfaction?

Whether it’s your coach between rounds or the managing director of Richemont Cartier, go beyond praise & be hungry for information on the priceless tweaks in performance / messaging that will take you to the title win.

In my humble experience, one leads to applause while the other will bring people
to their feet.

Thank you to Thomas Crye, Glady Ramos-Cruz and the Cartier executives for trusting me to empower the whole Australian team over multiple sessions. I will be cheering the loudest for all of your championship success in 2026 & beyond!

(Yes, clearly my skill set lies in speaking & martial arts, not selfies!)

Spending the week with in Byron Bay has me thinking of the link between luxury & high performance.

When you are part of a team that has a respected reputation, high performance becomes the standard, not the exception.

Once you’re known for delivering a high end product & service, in any industry including my own, the pressure only increases.

Our mindset is the key to performing under pressure with an elite skillset. Those who understand this invest their time, energy & funds into developing the mental muscles of mindset so they have the endurance, power & agility to keep living up to their reputation.

It’s a serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun along the way. Nothing like a bit of team karate kid action to make everyone laugh at themselves - an often overlooked & underestimated key element in pressure release for high performance. Hiiiiiiyaaaaa! 🥋

How do you celebrate those who inspire from behind the scenes?
What do you do to shine a light on those who make others shine? ✨

It’s always a joy to be in the corner of teams who thrive in the support of others. Whose work makes others work possible. Without them, things wouldn’t get done or at least not to the excellent standard they’re known for…

I had a truly memorable time creating a bespoke keynote with embedded workshop engagement elements for the incredible team at The Tides Creative Production. These are the masterminds behind so many renowned events from highly respected companies.

When you give so much to others, isn’t it great when that energy comes back to you? I was thrilled to be in the corner of their fearless leader Ro Taylor-Griffiths, Patty & the whole team, including the courageous Aimee who stepped into the light so we could all see her shine!

Thanks to Nicole Hyland, Vicki Stone & the whole team for always being in my corner.

I hope you’ll do something to celebrate someone behind the scenes helping you shine today…

iCare celebrated by focusing on Giving & Gaining, with the powerful circular energy of being in the corner of others, while we also have a team in our own corner.

My sport is an individual pursuit, with my success or failure resting solely on my ability to perform my skill set by way of my mindset. It’s very telling that we are not allowed to step into the ring without a team in our corner. Granted, they can’t jump in and help me succeed in the moment, but they play an absolutely vital role.

It was my honour to be in the corner of Muthu Barathi as she curated such a fun event & watch her be supported by a great team including Charlyn Adriano & the fabulous Zin. Fantastic to experiences the power of women designing & executing in front of their CEO Geniere Aplin. Thanks team for an event to remember, especially the courage of our board breaker May!

Wonderful celebrations in Perth with the ETI team as everyone from board members to young trainees stepped into their courage together.
As women in male dominated arenas, we learn valuable lessons about leadership, resilience and supporting each other.
Events like these are a time to come together to empower, to share & to have a great time connecting.
Thank you to the incredible Camille Haller for a truly impressive event. Now, about that cookie recipe… 🍪

My wonderful friend Mel Hughes’ husband Andy is dying from melanoma. They’re struggling financially but don’t like asking for help. I’ve committed to helping them & hope you will too:

You can donate - Gofundme link in bio.

Mel’s the most kind, funny person. We laugh & cry at the same time while supporting her in one of the most heartbreaking challenges you can face- losing your true love. She’s been married to the awesome Andy for so long & they’re great together.

For the past three months I’ve encouraged Mel to share how hard it’s been, both emotionally & financially. She’s shown so much courage in letting people into their world at such a private time.

I know everyone is in different financial positions, and there are a lot of causes to support, but Mel & Andy are truly the kind of people who deserve it. So please send some positive energy their way or even one dollar would be helpful!!

I’ve already donated twice, so if you’d like to help, the link is in my bio. Thank you xx

The team know how to celebrate, complete with pyrotechnics at their awards night! Many thanks for having me as part of the team in Noosa 🥇

Clinicians in the health sector face many challenges, as we all do in our lives. Nelson Mandela said “win or learn” which means what looks like a mistake might just be an opportunity to grow 😉

For everyone out there who is learning to be less hard on themselves & others, or simply has had a long challenging journey that has taught them a lot- this one is for you… I’m repping my brave friend Karen! What a courageous legend 🥇🥇

🥇Olympic Pathway High Schools 🥇
In the words of Nelson Mandela “Win or Learn” - winning is valuable but so is the learning that comes from not winning them all.

Honoured to speak with the students & staff at one of our dedicated schools that is setting people up to strive for achievement in sport & in life. To me, these are interconnected. What I learnt through decades of martial arts & combat sports has profoundly impacted my life for the better.

It’s important that we have good people in our corner to help us with what some call the “soft skills” of mindset. In my experience as an athlete & coach, the deep mental & emotional can be the most full contact skills.

Congratulations to Taylor for his courage under the pressure of hundreds of screaming teens & a big thank you to the amazing Sarah plus the rest of the teaching team Hunter Sports High School for the incredibly important work they do.

One of the best gifts of my work is watching one of the team members in the audience connect to their courage & take action.

We all need good people in our corner & its such a great feeling to facilitate someone else’s growth. When you understand the research on why people hold themselves back & have the right mindset tools it creates moments to shine.

That’s one million percent what the amazing Em did in front of her colleagues at the EDF team offsite in Melbourne. Courage is contagious & Em really set the standard for her teams growth & success.

Thank you for having me & I know your new corner team mentality will see you thrive!