Tasha Price, InvincAble

By her own admission, elite adaptive athlete Tasha Price is not very good at juggling work and life.

“If I’m completely honest, I’m a little bit of an Energizer bunny. I feel like I’ve got a lot of wasted time to make up for,” said Price.

In January she broke the state’s 20-year-old record for T54 100 metres.

Given she is predominantly a marathoner, Price is justifiably proud of this achievement and ranked it as her biggest so far.

Outside of sport, being able to finally sit up unaided was also pretty special. Struck down by a rare relapse-remitting disease in 2008, Price was bedridden for ten years. At one stage, she was paralysed from the neck down.

Alongside her athletic career, she is also a motivational speaker and advocate for diversity and inclusion via her company InvincAble. Her own motivation comes from wanting to make a difference.

“If you go through adversity, if you go through challenges, you should use those as your driving force to actually try and make things easier for other people [in similar situations],” she said.

Even when able bodied, she did not anticipate her career trajectory.

“It’s so funny as I was a junior athlete. I was a 100-metre sprinter, but I gave up when I was a teenager.

“I never ever expected it would be something I’d ever come back to, especially after disability.”

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are now in her sights.

“I probably spend way too much time working and training, but I love it.

“Those ten years have made me realise that I have to take every opportunity I can to do everything I can.”

This includes a goal to take her motivational speaking to the international stage and spread the message of visibility for people with a disability.

She is also keen to change perceptions of disability.

“There’s often this perception that those in the disabled community should be pitied and felt sorry for and that’s just not the case.

“I’ve met so many people within the disabled community that are just incredible humans leading incredible lives.

“I think that inclusion and accessibility – those things that we have issues with the world – will change once the perception of disability changes.”

Her advice for all women is “be authentic, go don’t be afraid to show who you are and be confident.”

“Especially with women, we’re afraid to be confident in what we know our abilities are.

“I think quite often the tall poppy syndrome comes into that.

“But shine your light and be who you are – because that’s the way you’re going to succeed most.”

Sheree Young, Body Science International

Body Science International CEO and director Sheree Young is looking forward to a six-week trip she has booked.

For the past twenty-four years, she and her husband Greg have been focused on growing Body Science into Australia’s leading nutritional supplement brand for professional athletes and the general public.

Last year’s sale of the Burleigh Heads-based company to the NASDAQ-listed Humble Group has given her the chance to reflect.

“Devoting a lot of years to our own business has meant that we’ve had some great times, but I feel like personally I’ve given a lot,” Young said.

“I’m recognising that you don’t want to let the years fade away and not do things you want to do. So, travel is a massive part of that plan.”

The sale enables Body Science to have greater reach into key international markets, with Young appointed as the local director for the global group.

On her past work-life juggle, she reflected there have been “a few quiet regrets”.

She added that it is important for women, particularly mothers, to “look out for you”.

“I’m mentoring a few of my team and people around me with that focus at the moment – you know, wellbeing first.

“Because if you’re not your best, then how can [you] perform at your best?”

Another of Young’s passions is to reduce food waste, with Body Science donating to Oz Harvest on the Gold Coast.

“We’re very privileged and it breaks my heart that some people don’t have food – and that’s locally, domestically and internationally.”

She follows this through at a grassroots level, educating “anyone and everyone” about the issue.

Going forward, the plan to prioritise herself will mean undertaking more fitness challenges for fun and charity with a bunch of friends – “just fun stuff”.

As for any other goals?

“Stay true to my values and my family.

“And continue to lead our business through the next phase of growth.”

Kathleen Simpson, DV Lawyer

On the day domestic violence lawyer Kathleen Simpson talks to InQueensland, she is preparing to give a speech on coercive control.

“I’m talking about walking on eggshells – how to recognise if you’re in a controlling and emotionally abusive relationship,” said Simpson.

The award-winning lawyer founded DV Lawyer, one of only a handful of specialist domestic violence legal practices in Australia.

Around 40 per cent of the firm’s work is pro bono and Simpson works with victim-survivors from their first contact until each case is resolved.

This entails creating a safety plan in consultation with the client; where necessary filing applications in court for protection and financial orders; and collaborating with other organisations, including the Domestic Violence Task Force, women’s shelters and the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre.

“The biggest achievement for me personally is seeing the growth of people leaving an abusive relationship, and them thriving and living with freedom and independence,” she said.

She was awarded 2022 Queensland Solicitor of the Year – Small Firm for her client advocacy, championing of legislative change and focus on preventing the escalation of violent behaviours.

Asked about work-life balance and her goals, she laughed and said “I don’t have a life” before adding that she is developing a world-leading risk assessment for coercive control and also writing a book on the topic.

“One day, who knows, I’d love to be a judge,” she said. “Because one thing is, I’d probably work a lot less hours.”