Former West Coast Eagles player and the AFL's first openly bisexual male player — speaks on inclusion
Mitch Brown's story reaches far beyond the football field. Selected at pick sixteen in the National Draft, he played 94 games for the West Coast Eagles, overcoming significant injuries and reinventing himself across multiple positions throughout his career. Yet his greatest challenge was not athletic — it was the identity he felt forced to conceal. In 2025, Mitch shared publicly that he is bisexual, becoming the first male AFL player in 129 years of the game to do so. The announcement was historic, but for Brown, it was also deeply personal — a decision made after years of operating in a culture where authenticity carried real professional risk.
Today he brings that lived experience directly into organisations. He offers a rare insider perspective on the real cost of cultures that do not prioritise psychological safety, and on what becomes possible when leaders choose presence over performance. He speaks with clarity and vulnerability about positive masculinity, about authentic leadership that prioritises empathy and behavioural consistency, and about the practical steps organisations can take to build environments where people do not have to hide who they are to belong.
Mitch Brown has drawn significant attention since his announcement — from corporate audiences such as Shell, which reported "overwhelming amounts of positive feedback and probably our best turn out ever for an event", to interviews with organisations including Adica Insurance and The Imperfects podcast, whose executive producer called him "the kind of guest who elevates the space he's in". For any organisation serious about inclusion, masculinity, or the kind of leadership that actually creates cultures of belonging, Mitch is a voice that lands with both weight and warmth.
Mitch Brown is a keynote speaker based in Victoria who speaks on diversity & inclusion, leadership and mental health & wellbeing. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
This keynote challenges outdated stereotypes and explores what it means to show true strength as a man. Mitch shares how vulnerability, empathy, and authenticity can reshape male culture in sport, work, and life.
• Tools for fostering safe spaces for men to express themselves.
• Strategies to promote respectful, inclusive male leadership.
• Insights into shifting cultural norms around masculinity.
Drawing on his AFL career and personal journey, Mitch shows how authenticity builds trust, drives performance, and creates lasting impact. This session is ideal for teams seeking deeper connection and purpose.
• How authenticity strengthens leadership and team culture.
• Practical ways to lead with empathy and courage.
• Lessons from elite sport on resilience and integrity.
Mitch shares his experience as a bisexual man in elite sport and the power of visibility in driving cultural change. This keynote supports organisations committed to inclusion, allyship, and psychological safety.
• The role of visibility and storytelling in inclusion.
• How to be an effective ally in the workplace.
• Building environments where everyone feels seen and valued.
From injury setbacks to personal transformation, Mitch offers practical insights into navigating adversity and prioritising mental health. This session supports individuals and teams facing transition or pressure.
• Strategies for building personal and professional resilience.
• Tools for managing change and uncertainty.
• Mental wellbeing practices from elite sport.
I had the honour of sitting down and interviewing Mitch Brown, the first openly bisexual or gay male player in AFL history. Hearing his story, courage and humour while reflecting on representation in sport was incredibly powerful. I feel incredibly grateful to work somewhere like Adica Insurance that creates space for conversations like this, fosters inclusion and gives us the chance to hear and learn directly from trailblazers who make the world a little braver, and little safer, for everyone.Adica Insurance
I just wanted to say a big thank for today. We have had overwhelming amounts of positive feedback and probably our best turn out ever for an event. The messages you left us with about calling out everyday disrespect were really powerful and resonated with many.Shell
Having Mitch on The Imperfects was a genuine privilege. He arrived with a grounded presence, a clear sense of purpose, and a willingness to share openly - which immediately set the tone for a powerful conversation. Mitch is the kind of guest who elevates the space he's in. Any organisation would be fortunate to work with him.Executive Producer, The Imperfects Podcast
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