September is birthday month at TLS Talent.
On 23 September, TLS turns 13. That’s right. We’ve officially hit our teenage years. Which presumably means growth spurts, plenty of opinions, a little boundary pushing and the confidence to think we can take on the world.
Business as usual, then. 😊
Coincidentally, I also celebrate a milestone birthday this month. I won’t tell you which one, but let’s just say there’s a zero involved… and 40 is long gone. All of which has got me thinking about what I’ve learned along the way, and the crux of it is pretty simple: our relationships are everything.
Over the years, so many of the wonderful people we’ve worked with – the ones who’ve backed us, challenged us, told us the truth and made us laugh – have become so much more than simply talent, clients, colleagues or partners. They’ve helped shape who we are today.
Every day we’re lucky to work with brilliant talent who’ve put their trust in us and shown us incredible loyalty, clients who took a chance on us in the early days (and then kept coming back), team members who have been part of our story and partners who’ve been alongside us for the journey.
They say it takes a village, and TLS certainly wouldn’t be what it is today without ours.
Now let’s celebrate some of what our talent have been up to!
TLS SPORT
It’s been another big month across TLS Sport with our athletes making their mark in competition, on screen and everywhere in between.
It’s hard to go past Molly Taylor for the biggest news of the month, with Molly and partner Dan Gardner welcoming their first child, Georgia Taylor (GT). It’s an incredibly special milestone for Molly, who has spoken openly about her determination to combine motherhood with competing at the highest level. And while she’s currently soaking up life as a new mum, she won’t be away from the driver’s seat for long, with Molly confirmed to return to Veloce Racing to defend her Extreme H title later this year.
In doing so, she’ll join a relatively small group of women who have returned to elite motorsport after becoming a mother – a testament to Molly’s determination, the belief of her team and the incredible support system around her.
There was plenty to celebrate for Jemima Montag too. Fresh from her gold medal success in Glasgow, the three-time Commonwealth Games champion swapped the track for the Have You Been Paying Attention? set, tackling questions from Sam Pang and the team like a pro. Jemima also joined the ABC to reflect on her incredible success in Glasgow, what it means to have achieved the three-peat and the extraordinary performance of the Australian athletics team across the Games.
Ellie Cole continues to show just how many places a career beyond elite sport can take you. She sat for a portrait on the ABC’s Portrait Artist of the Year series, before teaming up with Toyota and Urban List for a brilliant content series – exploring some of Sydney’s best dining spots while shining a light on the very real accessibility challenges people with disability can face along the way.
Further afield, former F1 Academy and current Italian GT4 Series competitor Aiva Anagnostiadis headed to Munich for a shoot with partner Adina Hotels. Stay tuned for more on that one shortly. And this weekend, she’s back behind the wheel for Round 4 at Imola. With two podiums from the past two rounds, can Aiva climb one step higher this time?
And finally, congratulations to Shae Graham, who played a pivotal role in the Australian Steelers’ silver-medal performance at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Brazil last month. The Steelers made it all the way to the final, fighting valiantly before going down 57–51 to world No. 1 USA.
TLS EXPERTS
The only thing better than working with one TLS Expert? Working with two. This month, vet Dr Claire Stevens and GP Dr Preeya Alexander joined forces with Elanco to help Aussies better understand the incredible joy but also the health risks that can come with sharing our homes with pets – and importantly how to help protect everyone in them.
Preeya has also been putting her long time mental health advocacy to work with AIA Vitality, sharing the everyday habits that can support better mental health. The timing couldn’t be better as we head towards Mental Health Month in October (more on that in our Health Calendar).
Never one to shy away from the conversations others might, Shelly Horton has brought her trademark energy and sensitivity to a campaign with Biolae, tackling the taboo around vaginal dryness. Kate Peck, meanwhile, swapped motorcycles for a different kind of adrenaline hit, getting a taste of life on the frontline as part of a Fire Ops exercise promoting the work of Fire Rescue Victoria – and took to it with typical Kate enthusiasm.
There’s been plenty happening in podcast land too.
Habit change scientist Dr Gina Cleo joined Lorna Jane Clarkson on Never Give Up to bust some of the myths that keep us stuck in unhealthy routines and unpack the changes that can actually make a difference.
Dr Tim Sharp sat down with Jules Sebastian for Tea with Jules to explore why so many of us chase the wrong version of happiness; and the simple things that can move us closer to the real thing; and Dr Marny Lishman from from the release of her book Only You joined The Hook Up on Triple Jo talking about bouncing back from heartbreak and finding joy in time alone.
TLS SPEAKERS
From panel appearances and MC duties to keynotes and workshops, our talent continue to make an impact at events across the country.
Ellie Cole hosted Under Armour’s event at Bondi Icebergs to announce the brand’s new partnership with Kaylee McKeown. Earlier in the month, she also helped inspire the kids at Mt Colah Public School’s Swim Program Day.
Jemima Montag has been inspiring the next generation too, bringing plenty of energy to students at the Mt Scopus Memorial College Sport Event.
It’s been a busy month on stage for Shelly Horton. She took the reins as MC of Chempro’s Leadership Conference, bringing her renowned energy to proceedings. In a separate event, Shelly joined leading US women’s health expert Dr Vonda Wright for an intimate conversation around peri and menopause.
Also on MC duties, Kate Peck took to the stage for a very special double celebration, marking 75 years of Porsche in Australia and 75 years of Penfolds Grange. With her deep knowledge of both the automotive world and wine, it was just about the perfect pairing for Kate.
Positive psychologist Dr Tim Sharp delivered a keynote at the NSW Mining HSEC Conference, sharing practical strategies to help people thrive both at work and in life.
Nutrition scientist Dr Joanna McMillan headed to Adelaide for the Australian Chiropractors Association Annual Conference, speaking on evidence-based approaches to gut function, brain performance and more.
And ahead of Women’s Health Week, Dr Preeya Alexander joined WorkSafe Victoria’s Wellbeing Program, bringing the conversation around women’s health into the workplace.
Finally Dr Gina Cleo’s work with Alcon continues, with Gina travelling around the country delivering seminars on the science of habits and how understanding our behaviour can help create meaningful, lasting change.
📅 Looking ahead 🎤
September is shaping up to be another huge month, with our TLS Speakers heading into workplaces and events around the country for keynotes, panels, workshops and conversations spanning everything from women’s health and mental health to leadership, performance and wellbeing.
And there’s one event you can join too. On 17 September, Ellie Cole will take part in a Women in Media panel alongside some incredible women from across sport and media, exploring who is shaping the stories around women’s sport and what comes next as audiences, investment and attention continue to grow.
Ellie will bring her unique perspective as both a Paralympian and sports presenter to a conversation about the progress, challenges and opportunities defining the future of women’s sports coverage. You can snap up a ticket here.
SUITE READS
Psychiatrist Dr Kieran Kennedy has met the moment with his new book on adult ADHD. Supportive, encouraging and educational, This Explains Everything (out today) is set to become an essential guide for adults navigating ADHD. Whether you’ve been diagnosed, think ADHD might be part of the picture, or know someone who is navigating it, this is one to add to the bookshelf.
HEALTH CALENDAR
The health calendar remains busy over the next few months. If you’re planning an event, panel, keynote or media opportunity around one of the key awareness dates below, now is the time to lock in talent. Reach out here to get in touch with our team.
- World Perimenopause Month – all month
- Asthma Week – 1-7 September
- RU OK? Day – 10 September
- National Tradies Day – 18 September
- Dementia Action Week – 21-27 September.
October, too, is action packed. Get in touch if you’d like to book talent for:
International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month – all October
For information delivered with empathy, GPs Dr Michela Sorensen, Dr Preeya Alexander and Dr Ginni Mansberg are on hand.
World Mental Health Day – 10 October
Our caring mental-health awareness advocates include positive psychologist Dr Tim Sharp, psychiatrist Dr Kieran Kennedy, psychologist Dr Leanne Hall, and GPs Dr Preeya Alexander, Dr Ginni Mansberg and Dr Michela Sorensen.
World Perimenopause Day (22 September) and World Menopause Day (18 October)
For expert advice, women’s health advocate Shelly Horton shares her personal experience to help improve education around peri and menopause transition, and Dr Ginni Mansberg’s book The M Word has made her a leading light in this area.
National Carers Week – 11-17 October
Through her book Next of Kin, Casey Beros helps carers feel seen and informed, making her the perfect expert to share insights for Carers Week.
National Nutrition Week – 12-18 October
When it comes to nutrition, we need facts not fads. Our dietitians Dr Joanna McMillan and Jaime Rose Chambers are here to bust through the myths.
World Food Day – 16 October
Safeguarding access to safe and nutritious foods for future generations is the aim of this campaign. Sustainable food advocates Simon Toohey and Dr Joanna McMillan have plenty of knowledge to share.
World Osteoporosis Day – 20 October
Prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing but there’s lots you can do to reduce your risk of this condition that causes weak bones. GPs Dr Ginni Mansberg, Dr Michela Sorensen and Dr Preeya Alexander can provide advice.