Lauren Burns OAM

About Lauren

Lauren Burns OAM created sporting history at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, winning Australia's first Olympic gold medal in taekwondo when the sport made its full medal debut — taking the women's under-49kg final against Cuba's Urbia Melendez. One of only three Australian women to win an individual gold in Sydney alongside Cathy Freeman and Susie O'Neill, Lauren's achievement was both a national milestone and a deeply personal one, the culmination of years of training that incorporated principles of naturopathy and holistic health as well as elite athletic preparation.

Since her Olympic career, Lauren has built an equally distinguished second act as a health professional, author and speaker. A degree-qualified naturopath and nutritionist, she holds a PhD in Athlete Lifestyle and Mindset from RMIT — doctoral work that won the university's Vice Chancellor's Prize and Deputy Vice Chancellor's Prize for Research Impact. She works closely with the Australian Institute of Sport, through both its Gold Medal Ready program and its research institute, and has lectured in Medicinal Food Science. Her two books — Fighting Spirit and Food from a Loving Home — have introduced her philosophy on health and performance to a wide audience, and her holistic approach, which views food, mindset, relationships and physical practice as interconnected, is both scientifically grounded and deeply practical.

As a speaker, Lauren brings the same warmth and authenticity to the stage that she brought to the Games, with more than 25 years on the speaking circuit behind her. Her keynotes on achievement and visualisation, her workshops on high-performance living and the science of nutrition, and her work as a Master of Ceremonies are all delivered with the genuine engagement of someone who has not simply spoken about these ideas but lived them. She is a compelling presence for wellbeing, sporting, women's leadership and general corporate audiences alike.