At 11 years old, Natalie Burton was glued to the TV, watching Cathy Freeman sprint to Olympic glory at the Sydney Games. That moment lit a fire inside her—a dream of standing on the Olympic stage herself. But behind that dream, another voice always lingered: “You’re not good enough for that.” 

Despite this constant shadow of self-doubt, Natalie’s determination carried her through an elite sports career, from college basketball in the U.S. to representing Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympics. But what should have been the pinnacle of her journey quickly turned into one of its hardest moments. 

In a devastating quarter-final loss, Natalie’s team became the first Opals squad in history to leave the Olympics without a medal. For Natalie, the defeat felt like she had let down not just her team, but her entire country. Worse, it seemed to confirm every insecurity she had ever carried. 

But it was also the turning point. Natalie realised she had been seeking validation from others, tying her self-worth to her performance on the court. She learned that she couldn’t control what others thought and instead had to rediscover her love for the game. It was in the quiet winter of Europe, far from home and media scrutiny, that Natalie fell back in love with basketball. 

Today, Natalie’s story is one of resilience, courage, and self-discovery. She inspires others to overcome self-doubt, pursue their best, and embrace the lessons that come with failure. Her message is clear: don’t let fear hold you back, go for what you want with courage, and discover what you can achieve. 

Talking Points:

Resilience & Overcoming Self Doubt

Learning through Failure

Goal Setting & Personal Growth

High Performance Teams

Leadership & Team Dynamics