After dreaming of being an Olympic swimmer as a child, Nicole Livingstone OAM OLY went on to represent Australia at three Olympics. One of Australia’s greatest Backstrokers, she was a member of the Australian swimming team for twelve consecutive years from 1985 – 1996.

She holds the longest winning sequence of any Australian swimmer in history at the national titles, winning ten consecutive 100m Backstroke titles between 1987 and 1996.

Nicole Livingstone’s career achievements include a silver medal and two bronze medals from three Olympic appearances; six gold, two silver and a bronze from three Commonwealth Games and competing in six Pan Pacific Championships winning four gold, seven silver and three bronze medals. She also broke a world record in the 200m backstroke (short course) in 1992.

Nicole retired from competitive swimming in 1996 and began what has been a stellar career in media. Firstly, with the Nine Network, in a variety of roles; from the host’s chair of their flagship sports programs Wide World of Sports and Sports Saturday, to hosting the Commonwealth Games and as an expert commentator/host with Nine’s Logie award winning swimming and surf lifesaving coverage.

Nicole Livingstone worked alongside some of the legends of Australian TV, including Max Walker, Eddie McGuire, Ken Sutcliffe and Ray Warren, and even held her own alongside comedian and armchair sportsman, Mick Molloy on weekly sports program “Any Given Sunday”.

Nicole was recruited by Network Ten Sport in 2009, as host and commentator on their swimming and surf lifesaving broadcasts. Along with Sports Tonight hosting and evening sports news presenting duties, she has also been a regular on ‘The Project’.‘Paris 2024’ will see Nicole participate in her 11th Olympic Games, firstly as an athlete and more recently as a broadcaster for the IOC’s broadcast arm, Olympic Broadcast Service.

Nicole Livingstone has also made her mark in the business of sport. From 2017 to 2022, Nicole was at the helm of Women’s Football for the AFL as the General Manager of Women’s Football, overseeing the incredible growth in participation which now boasts close to 600,000 women and girls playing Australia’s indigenous football game. With the jewel in the women’s sporting crown, the AFLW, now a thriving elite competition featuring all 18 AFL Clubs and 540 professional players.

At home in the board room as well, Nicole Livingstone has previously held board positions with Ovarian Cancer Australia, ASADA, Chair of the Victorian Institute of Sport, Deputy Chair of VicHealth, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Australian Olympic Committee and Swimming Australia.

As a business leader, Nicole has excelled, leading the AFLW competition extraordinary growth from an eight team start up to a booming 18 club competition with 540 players and a jewel in the Australian sporting landscape. Livingstone recently made a return to Olympic and Paralympic sport, in time for the ramp up of the golden era of Australia sport leading into the Brisbane 2032 games as the CEO of the Victorian Institute of Sport.

At corporate events, Nicole Livingstone speaker and legend brings a wealth of experience from elite sport, leadership, media, and advocacy. As an Olympic swimmer, sports administrator, and former Head of the AFLW, she is a compelling speaker who tailors her presentations to business audiences with a focus on leadership, resilience, high performance, and gender equality.

Here are key themes Nicole typically covers at corporate events:

1. High Performance and Resilience
   Drawing from her Olympic swimming career—spanning three Games and including multiple medals—Nicole speaks on setting goals, maintaining discipline, and bouncing back from setbacks. She offers insights into what it takes to consistently perform at an elite level, and how those lessons translate into personal and professional success.

2. Leadership and Change
   As a senior executive in the AFL, Nicole led the AFL Women’s competition through critical phases of growth and cultural change. She shares lessons on leading with purpose, navigating resistance, and building sustainable, inclusive systems from the ground up.

3. Gender Equality and Inclusion
   A passionate advocate for women in sport and leadership, Nicole speaks powerfully about breaking barriers, building pathways for women, and the importance of diversity in the workplace. She offers practical advice on how organisations can create more equitable and supportive environments.

4. Managing in the Spotlight
   With decades in public life—as an athlete, commentator, and executive—she offers thoughtful insights into managing pressure, public scrutiny, and high expectations. These lessons resonate with executives and leaders operating in high-stakes environments.

5. Transition and Reinvention
   Nicole’s successful transitions—from elite athlete to broadcaster to executive—form the basis of talks on personal reinvention, growth mindset, and adaptability in ever-changing industries.

6. Sport as a Platform for Social Change
   She speaks about the broader role sport can play in society, including driving conversations about respect, equality, and community engagement, and how organisations can use their platforms for meaningful impact.

7. Personal Storytelling
   Nicole is also known for her engaging, authentic style. Her presentations often include anecdotes from Olympic competition, live television, and the AFL boardroom—delivered with warmth, humour, and clarity.

Nicole Livingstone is a polished and passionate speaker whose presentations inspire, challenge, and equip audiences to lead better, support others, and thrive under pressure. She is a popular choice for leadership forums, diversity and inclusion events, corporate conferences, and industry panels.