Stand Out Life

Ambitious, feisty, driven, and passionate Michelle Cox is a dynamic force. Having spent 17 years in the travel industry after owning and managing a hotel in Alice Springs from the age of 23, Michelle found herself on an adult gap-year exploring what impact she wanted to have on the world. Four years ago Michelle set up the Sydney office of an agency business and is now the Global COO of Bastion Collective (a global brand agency). Despite her career achievements happiness has always been her metric stick, and when she realised she didn't feel settled early in 2016 she embarked on some internal discovery to redesigned what her role meant to her. Starting a side creative hustle, Knox | Cox Candle Co, Michelle navigates a global business during the week and spends her weekend wicking candles with a glass of bubbles or setting up stalls at local markets.

Emma Booth - Paralympian Emma Booth is an Australian Equestrian Paralympian. Emma previously competed in Eventing (which comprises of Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping), until one evening in 2013 – while travelling home from a competition – was left paralysed after a being involved in a horrific car accident.  Only six months after sustaining the life changing injury, Emma was back in the saddle and learning to ride a horse without the use of her legs; and made her Paralympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in Sept 2016 - only three years after her accident.  The International Paralympic Committee has identified Emma as a rider to watch in 2017. Inspirational is a word that is often thrown around, but in this conversation Emma's tenacity, belief in the human spirit around her, and her laser-like focus in doing what matters most to you will indeed leave you inspired (if it doesn't you might want to check your pulse).  CONNECT WITH EMMA AT:  Instagram: @emmabooth_paraequestrian Ride with No Limits http://ww

Olivia Ruello - CEO of Business Chicks Soul-filled, purpose-driven, uber-organised, dynamic leader, and a voice for those who don't have a voice, are a few of the ways that you can describe Olivia Ruello. Stepping into the role as CEO of Business Chicks, Australia's largest women's networking organisation, Liv injects her belief about culture, supporting women, and creating incredible communities that are build on the desire to lift each other up. With a background in industrial relationships and a stint in the corporate setting it's evident from this conversation that Liv has always, and will continue to be a voice for those who don't always have a voice. As an advocate of gender equality, Liv's quote that 'until we have as many mediocre female leaders as we have male leaders we need to have quota's', is one I've used repeatedly. Throughout our conversation we explore how to create a thriving culture that is enviable by organisations in various industries, the importance of supporting women in le

Jacinta McDonell - Founder Human Kind Project & Urban Yoga Occasionally you get the chance to connect with someone who not only lights up a room but absolutely walks their talk. Jacinta is one of those people - and once she sets her mind on something being done you can be left with no doubt that it will in fact be done. Jacinta and I connected after an extraordinary experience in Malawi and have remained a cheer-squad of each other every since. Jacinta and her brother Justin launched the highly successful US franchise Anytime Fitness into Australia in 2008. With over 2700 clubs and 2 million members worldwide, it has become the quickest growing segment of the world s fastest growing fitness chain, and is Australia’s number one health club chain. As well as being a mother of three young children, Jacinta’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to the development of several other business and personal ventures over the past 12 months, making her a true inspiration to Australian business women. Launching Urban

Elka Whalan - Olympian & Media Personality Elka Whalan (nee Graham) reached world #1 in 200m freestyle, attended two Olympic games, as well as Commonwealth Games and World Championships in her 7 year career. She was part of that famous medley relay team who were disqualified in 2001 for jumping in the pool too early, and as Elka says were world champions for all of 30 seconds! Married to waterpolo Olympic champion Thomas Whalan, together they have 4 kids under 6. Elka talks about her career in the media, the shift in identity throughout her life, her non-negotiables, and how faith is a guiding principle in everything that she does. In 2016 Elka has started Queenhood for the woman who knows her worth, empowering, uplifting and encouraging all women to unite and support one another. Soak up this delightful and insightful conversation with Elka Whalan. CONNECT WITH ELKA ON Website: http://elkawhalan.com/ Queenhood: http://queenhood.com.au/

Dan Norris - Entrepreneur Plenty of people talk about being a serial entrepreneur, not many can back it up with evidence. Dan can. Although success wasn't always forth-coming. In 2013 Dan was 2 weeks away from unemployment after 8 years of business failure. Within a week he launched a WordPress support service called WP Curve. Since we recorded this episode Dan has sold this business to GoDaddy. He is also a partner in a craft brewery, and still finds time to hit the waves on a regular basis. In essence he doesn't stop. But he's learnt a few strategies to being the boss of busy along the way, a few of which we unpack in our chat together. Author of four best-selling books including his latest, Create or Hate, Dan can often be heard talking about how important creative endeavours are. It's key for all of us to be pushing back on busy and finding time to create. CONNECT WITH DAN ON: Website: http://dannorris.me Instagram: @thedannorris

Shelly Horton - Journalist and Media Personality Since taking her Mum's advice to 'not sleep with anyone' from her home town of Kingaroy Shelly Horton has never been afraid of forging her own path. As one of Australia's leading media personalities Shelly's opinion can be heard nationally a number of times a week in her regular segments on Channel Nine, while she's chatting with Richard Glover on ABC Radio, and as part of her popular and controversial health web series - Things You Can't Talk About On TV. Her behind-the-camera credits include producing for the most watched entertainment program in the world, Entertainment Tonight America, Channel Nine’s A Current Affair and ABC TV’s George Negus Tonight, Mondo Thingo and Sunday Arts. She also hosted and produced her own TV show in the UK called “What’s On In London”. She was the host and producer of video content for Australia’s biggest women’s website Mamamia. There are bucket-loads of laughter in this episode as Shelly unpacks her stories from a varied

Keri Krieger - Acupuncturist and Health Coach Keri Krieger is one of those people that everyone needs to know. Seriously. Take a moment now, Google her, then come back. Keri helps women come home to themselves. In their practices. In their personal lives. In their bodies. She is passionate to offer women a way to learn how to truly nourish themselves mind body and spirit to step away from over work, exhaustion, burnout and self loathing to experience personal peace, stillness and passion for life. Having spent over a decade working in health retreats around the world with a background in acupuncture and a deep knowledge of Chinese medicine. She has developed a unique treatment style called Rockupuncture; which is a delicious combination of acupuncture and hot rock massage. Whilst being brilliant as a ‘hands-on’ therapist, Keri also offers support, advice and guidance as a health coach with Executives and individuals coping with the overwhelm of ‘busyness’. In this conversation we explore the practicalit

Stand Out Life Episode 11 guest Magdalena Roze gives her take on what on means to live a Stand Out Life. LISTEN to full episode: www.soundcloud.com/standoutlife/ep11 www.alisonhill.com.au/standoutlife

Magdalena Roze is an award-winning TV presenter who got so fascinated with the weather she went onto to study it and became a meteorologist. A few years ago she underwent a sea change moving from Sydney to Byron Bay where her husband Darren Roberston, chef from Three Blue Ducks fame, established the restaurant at The Farm on the outskirts of Byron. In this episode Mags shares the challenges and opportunities that arise from this sea change and the importance of connecting with your sisterhood as she steps into her new role as mother to her beautiful boy Archie. Mags combines her passion of weather, food, and her family in all that she does. Mags has some exciting new ventures happening this year and shares these with us. In a busy world trying to align calendars can be difficult but true to the nature of this podcast it doesn’t have to stop you from doing it. We chatted via Skype for this episode, proving that even amongst the busyness you can make the time. 'I love the weather - but I’m even more passi

Kylie Rogers - Managing Director at Mamamia Kylie Rogers is someone who knows a thing or two about marketing - after 17 years working in Sales and Marketing with Channel Ten it was actually a comment from her 6 year old son that jolted her into realising she had to make a change to her career. After a break with her family she eventually landed the role of National Sales Director with the largest independent women’s website Mamamia and has gone on to become Managing Director. She is such a delight and shared openly the struggles and successes of stepping into a leadership role, her non-negotiables in her week and why we all just need to breathe (ahhhhhh....). ** It’s important to mention that this podcast was recorded two days after the announcement that Donald Trump had won the US election as we make mention of this in our discussion. Kylie is warm, honest and real, and a powerhouse in her role. For more: www.alisonhill.com.au

As featured on Episode 09 of the Stand Out Life Podcast. Listen to full episode via www.soundcloud.com/standoutlife/ep09 For more: www.alisonhill.com.au/standoutlife

Lucy Cornell - International Voice Coach Working as a voice coach for the past 20 years, Lucy has dedicated her life to supporting people (including influential women) to express themselves so they can inspire and influence (which all of us do regardless of your job). Lucy is the founder of a Sydney based business, Voice Coach, and consults with Executives, influential people, and organisations globally. Taking what’s she’s learnt through deep training in performance Lucy makes the art of influence infinitely relevant to the business world. Lucy is both fascinating and captivating, and completely passionate about all of us getting clear on our right to express our voices. She also shares that it's her belief that ‘silence is violence’ - when we don’t express what matters it impacts our lives destructively. In this episode Lucy shares her personal experiences with the struggle and juggle of standing boldly in a busy world, and how she has struggled with post-natal depression and doubt herself. Releva

Launching Women’s Health magazine as the founding editor in 2007, Felicity Harley is one of the most recognised, awarded, and loved editors in Australia. Felicity is an incredibly talented editor, who was named in Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence in 2012 for her initiative around the ‘Support Women in Sport’ campaign which aimed to bring media coverage to female athletes. Wife to Tom Harley (ex-Geelong captain) and Mum to two boys, Felicity unpacks her strategies for dealing with pressure and relentless change (the good news is that it does involve chocolate). She shares her excitement and anticipation as she is about to embark on new venture (WHIMN) and also gives us a couple of tips on how to stick to our goals in the new year (cause you know we’re not that great at that). In a real and honest way Felicity leaves us realising that the constant pursuit of balance is something we've gotta let go of. Soak up the wisdom and warmth of Felicity Harley in this episode. Connect with Felicity on Instagram here

As featured in Episode 07. LISTEN to the full episode via www.soundcloud.com/standoutlife/ep07 or www.alisonhill.com.au/julessebastian

Stylist to the stars, Jules Sebastian has paved her way as a television presenter on MTV and recently as the stylist for Mel B on the X-Factor. Jules grew up in Adelaide and met her husband, Guy Sebastian (first Australian Idol winner, and award winning singer/song-writer), while they were knee-high to a grasshopper. Jules talks about the shared Australia Idol experience, Guy’s win from her perspective and the way that life changed significantly for both of them. The couple then moved to Sydney where they now reside with their sons Hudson and Archer. For more: www.alisonhill.com.au/standoutlife

One of Australia’s most popular female athletes, Laura Geitz has a stellar career. Captain of both QLD Firebirds and Australian netball team, the Diamonds, Laura has won both silver and gold medals at the Commonwealth Games; she lead the Diamonds to victory over the NZ Silver ferns after a 12 year drought; and won back to back championships as Captain of the Firebirds. Growing up on the farm in QLD Laura talks about her connection to the country, and how important family is to her. After losing her Dad to a sudden accident in 2013, it is clear that Laura had a beautiful connection to her Dad as his legacy continues on in her decisions even today. Family is the theme of this conversation as Laura describes how she revealed to her team that she is pregnant and will be moving onto a new role as a Mum in the change-rooms after winning the 2016 championship. In this conversation Laura shares insights into managing the pressures of the big moments and focusing on doing the things that you love. For More:

Award-winning Journalist with a 23 year career with Canberra Times, convenor of Women in Media in Canberra, 2016 ACT Telstra Business Women's Award winner (Purpose and Social Enterprise), and founder of charity, 'Send Hope Not Flowers', Emma Macdonald has known both achievements and the tiredness of battling a high-powered career. Emma talks about the apprehension and excitement as she transitions into her new role as Associate Editor at 'Her Canberra'. In this podcast Emma talks about the strategies she employs to hit reset, and the importance of having your sister wives. This conversation happens at a time as Emma is transitioning from a 23 year career to take the courageous step into a new role. As such she dives into this decision and the reality of stepping into the new. Emma is a generous and beautiful soul and these stories come through in this conversation. www.alisonhill.com.au/standoutlife

Owner and Founder of international success story Carman’s Kitchen, Carolyn Creswell is undoubtedly one of Australia’s highest profile business women. In 2012 she was awarded Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year (after entering 16 times as she mentions in this podcast) and the winner of 2007 Ernst & Young’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. As a proud mother of four young children with her husband Peter, Carolyn has a strong commitment to healthy work-life balance which is also reflected in the supportive culture of the Carman’s office. In this episode Carolyn delves into a mountain of truths that she has learnt in her 24 years in business that now underpin her business success and her constant pursuit for personal growth. Through learning from her own mistakes, Carolyn talks about the importance of prioritising sleep, on getting clear on what is important to you, and how to make sure you are as diligent with your time as you are with your money. This episode is loaded with thoughtful and ‘

Libby Trickett is a three-time Olympian (yep that's right she's competed at three ov' 'em over 12 years), who has more gold then Kayne West's posse. Despite her incredible achievements on the world stage, Libby reveals that she suffers from the same 'but it's not quite good enough' thoughts that all of us do. In fact it wasn't until 2016, the first year she sat down to watch the Olympics as a spectator after her career, that she now truly appreciates what she has achieved. In this podcast Libby reveals how she went from swimming the most devastating race of her career to winning an Olympic gold medal in the space of 15 minutes. She talks about how 2010 was the hardest year of her life as she battled with mental illness, and found solace back in the water chasing down the black line. Libby also talks honestly about becoming a Mum and having to get her head around that the reality is parenting is often so far removed from our expectations (it's tough when the bubble of lattes and long lunches you had pl