Winner of 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt is here to change the world! She is the fiercely passionate thought leader behind the Body Image Movement, the Director of the inspiring documentary Embrace seen in over 190 countries, and a three-times bestselling author. She is also an internationally recognised speaker, an Australian of the Year finalist and was named alongside Emma Watson and Beyonce in Germany’s Woman of the Year.
Almost a decade ago Taryn Brumfitt was at war with her body. Disillusioned and feeling completely at a loss, she committed herself to a body building competition in the hope that a perfect body would mean a perfect life. It didn’t.
In 2013 Taryn posted to social media a non-traditional reversed ‘before and after’ photo. Her before ‘muscle competition wining body’ and her after ‘normal body’ – it went viral. Reaching global audiences overnight, Taryn received tens of thousands of messages of support and those wanting to share their stories. It sparked an international movement to teach people to consider their bodies not like they are ornaments, but rather the vehicles to their dreams. The ‘Body Image Movement’ was born.
Embrace is a social impact documentary that explores the serious issue of body loathing, inspiring us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies. Released in 2016, the film is relevant, relatable, highly engaging – but above all life changing. Embrace went #1 at the German box office beating Guardians of the Galaxy and King Arthur, the film has been seen by millions across the world creating a ripple of positive change.
Author of three bestselling books, her first title ‘Embrace’ was a US smash hit and the animated song from her latest title, a children’s book ‘Embrace Your Body’ bumped Baby Shark off the iTunes number 1 spot!
Voted as General Electric’s highest rated speaker, Taryn is an internationally recognised sought-after keynote speaker. From Google HQ in Silicon Valley, to Sky News in Scotland, Bra’s and Things in Singapore, Ted X talks to the a local school visit – Taryn’s key notes are compelling, provoking and extremely motivational.
Taryn’s work has been recognised all over the world, by United Nations Women, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, the Geena David Institute and Ashton Kutcher who famously praised her activism as “good for the world”. However far from slowing down, Taryn is approaching her most important goal yet – body image positivity for kids. Her documentary ‘Embrace Kids’, currently in production, will launch in 2022.
When not making waves, she can be found in the suburbs of Adelaide, eating dumplings, jumping off jetties and snuggling her three children.
A natural-born storyteller, Taryn can bring any topic to life but these are the ones that really get her going:
LEADERSHIP + WELLBEING – building thriving, high-performance teams in well workplaces
REBEL TO EXCEL – why you have to break the rules to achieve your goals
GET IT – how resilience, tenacity and polite persistence trump luck every time
EMBRACE – your body to embrace your life
YOU’VE GOT THIS – backing yourself to do ‘almost anything’
VIDEOS & PODCASTS
Stop hating your body start living your life | TEDxAdelaide
The Morning Show – ‘Embrace Your Body’
The Body Image Warrior Who Wants To Help Kids Feel Better – Mamamia Podcast
REVIEWS / TESTIMONIALS
“This is good for the world” – Aston Kutcher | Actor
“Taryn will literally change your life” – Mia Freedman | Journalist/ Founder, Mamamia
“Taryn is inspiring, I love her passions, her books, and films. Her caring personality shines through everything she does” – Ricki Lake | TV Host and Actress
“Taryn is warm, joyous, and dedicated. The motivation she offers will set you on the right path.” – Teresa Palmer | Actress
“I have long admired Taryn’s total acceptance of her body. We can all learn from her!” – Olivia Newton-John |Actress
“We just love what Taryn brings to the table. We go at it from a data perspective, thinking deeply about the things we can do to change the world, and we love how Taryn connects the data and the emotion together. Awesome and amazing presentation” – Elle Duncan | Global Brand Solutions Lead, Google HQ
“Taryn was a hoot to work with! She brought our audience to their feet with her no-holds-barred approach to loving their bodies more and bringing an awareness to the issue with an unparalleled level of passion and enthusiasm that only Taryn can.” – Emma Isaacs | Founder and Global CEO, Business Chicks
“On the day she delivered a memorable, punchy session with new content that has everyone laughing and leaving inspired – just what we were after! The session was really well-reviewed with delegates commenting on the passion that Taryn brough to her session.” – Rachel Bakker | Event Manager, CPA Australia