We know our world-first workplace wellbeing initiative, Embrace@Work is revolutionary, so the launch had to be all in — and what better place to go big than New York?
Grounded in over 20 years of global research and decades of experience in body image, behaviour change, leadership, and organisational development by Dr Zali Yager, Ellen Hooper, and me Embrace@Work is tailored for high-pressure corporate environments to boost productivity, wellbeing and the bottom line. Game-changing stuff for businesses worldwide!
The official launch was held at The American Australian Association, where I had the honour of delivering a keynote address for International Women’s Day in 2023. And the icing on the cake? South Australia’s former Premier, Steven Marshall — now President of the Association — was right there by our side. His unwavering support and belief in Embrace@Work made the launch even more impactful.
Steven’s words summed it up perfectly: “Every business aspires to a thriving, healthy, and high-performing workforce, and Taryn, Zali, and Ellen have a proven track record of delivering just that. Their evidence-informed approach doesn’t just inspire; it drives real change in workplace wellbeing and productivity.”
But here’s the thing: when we travel, we don’t do anything by halves. Australia is so far away from the rest of the world, so when we get on a plane, we make every second count. This trip was nearly three weeks of non-stop action, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Highlights? Oh, where do I start?
We kicked things off with a morning tea at the Consul General’s residence, hosted by Heather Ridout AO. With the Hudson River as the backdrop, we sipped tea and nibbled on scones while sharing Embrace@Work with some of New York’s top corporate leaders and CEOs. Talk about a captive audience — these business moguls live and breathe profit, but every single one of them understands that to truly succeed, you need to look after your people.
And that wasn’t all. We spent time at the United Nations, visited the Australian Embassy in Washington, delivered a talk at Pinterest, and even dropped in on The Drew Barrymore Show. Between the big adventures, we took time to recharge — whether it was finding moments of calm being horizontal in the hotel, walking many miles, or indulging in New York’s smorgasbord of food, we made sure to nourish ourselves in every way we could. We even found time for a transformational somatic dance class with Taryn Toomey, something that helped us release stress and feel grounded. There’s nothing quite like shedding tears with your co-founders in a dance class. As women leaders, we do things differently, and it was a perfect reminder of the importance of balance.
As women on a mission, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle. But it’s essential to pause and savour the little moments, even amidst the whirlwind. The energy we were putting out was huge, but so was the joy we found in these unforgettable experiences.
And one of the highlights of the trip was having our amazing friend Yemi Penn, who was in Boston for a keynote, hop on a train to join us in New York. Her energy and inspiring presence gave us the extra spark we needed, and it was so special to share those moments with a familiar face on the other side of the world!
All sounds pretty peachy, right? Well, for the most part it was … but like all trips it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Just before heading to the Consul General’s residence, Ellen jumped out of her seat after having a scalding hot cup of tea spilled on her leg by a dear, overzealous waiter. At first, she brushed it off, insisting she was fine — but it was most definitely not fine. Her stockings had melted into her skin, and she was left with a serious burn. But Ellen? The absolute trooper powered through, not letting on to anyone — not even when we were discreetly tending to her injury in between meetings. It wasn’t funny at the time, but looking back, she now sees the silver lining in her incredible resilience. Thankfully, she’s fully recovered, and it just adds to the crazy adventure.
So, what do we have to show for this life-changing trip to launch our new baby? A bucketload of hard work, adventure, joy, resilience, and unforgettable memories — all wrapped up in a deep sense of achievement, gratitude, and the knowledge that Embrace@Work is going to transform the way organisations and individuals approach workplace wellbeing. This program isn’t just a concept — it’s a movement, and we’re beyond excited for what’s ahead. What an extraordinary way to bring her into the world!
