This morning, Dame Valerie Adams lit up the room at the North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust’s Business Excellence Network (BEN) Breakfast, speaking to a full crowd of 120 at Regatta Bar & Eatery in Takapuna. SCO are proud sponsors of the BEN Breakfast events and the North Harbour Club.
Val was as charming and confident as she was humorous during a lively Q&A with emcee Rodney Gillard. She spoke candidly about being the leader of her “bus,” emphasising that everyone on board must add value. Her message was clear: “You can’t get better without change.” Whether through adjusting your environment or mindset, growth requires movement.
She addressed the pressures of professional sport — the weight of expectation from herself, her coach, her team, and her country — and encouraged the audience to set small goals that build towards bigger campaigns.
On resilience, she spoke about maintaining a positive mindset through injury and operations, allowing space to breathe, and celebrating every medal — silver and bronze included — despite New Zealand’s tall poppy syndrome. She laughed about the unsolicited advice she’s received from “#couchshotputters,” highlighting the reality of armchair critics.
When asked about work-life balance, Val acknowledged the challenge of giving a little to everyone — her family, her many boards and roles — while trying not to suffer “mum guilt,” and approaching life with no regrets.
On diversity and inclusion, she urged attendees not to judge a book by its cover. Her inspiration? A PE teacher who believed in her early on and bought her first pair of Nike Shoes. “Find the positive in any shitty day,” she said — a message that resonated with many.
Valerie was inspiring to listen to and shows that hard work really does pay off!!
