Breakfast with Suzie Whitfield

What does it really mean to thrive?

Thriving isn’t about avoiding life’s challenges—it’s about becoming stronger because of them.

That was the powerful message shared by Suzie Whitfield at our latest Breakfast with Leaders, where attendees explored the science behind emotional wellbeing, resilience and recovery.

Opening with the question, “What does thriving mean to you?”, Suzie encouraged participants to reflect on the reality that some days we thrive better than others. Rather than striving for perfection, thriving is about finding the strength to put ourselves back together in whatever form we choose.

Drawing on psychology and neuroscience, Suzie shared three practical strategies that anyone can apply.

The first was to name your emotions. Research shows that putting feelings into words can reduce their intensity, helping us better understand and regulate our emotional responses. The more accurately we can describe how we’re feeling, the easier those emotions become to manage.

The second strategy was to be the boss of your thoughts. We are not our thoughts—we create them. Our brains naturally seek evidence to support whatever we believe, meaning our thoughts shape our emotions and behaviours. By learning to pause, notice our thinking and consciously choose a different perspective, we can begin to develop healthier thought patterns over time.

Finally, Suzie highlighted the importance of rest and recovery. In a culture that often celebrates busyness, she reminded attendees that recovery is essential for both performance and wellbeing. Activities such as spending time in nature, walking on the beach, listening to birds, laughing, allowing the mind to wander and prioritising quality sleep all give the brain an opportunity to recover, restore and generate new ideas.

The session offered a refreshing reminder that thriving isn’t about constantly pushing harder. It’s about recognising when we need to pause, caring for our minds as much as our bodies, and building habits that help us navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Thank you to Suzie Whitfield for an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation, and to everyone who joined us for another fantastic Breakfast with Leaders.

Suzie recommends the app How We Feel

This event was proudly supported by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.