In honour of International Women's Day, we caught up with epic mother, international netball player and inspirational woman, Ameliaranne Ekenasio. She filled us in on what inspires her, how women can support other women, and some advice on how to be our best selves!
Being a female leader yourself, what are 3 key pieces of advice you have for other women?
Do the work to show up as yourself! Everybody appreciates confidence but sometimes just being ourselves and feeling good in our own skin is the best kind of confidence we can wear. This way we can truly be authentic and everything comes a lot more naturally as well. I’ve spent years not feeling like who I was enough but now I realise that not only is it more than enough but it is actually welcomed and I tell you what nothing feels better than just being yourself and it being welcomed for you to be seen and loved this way. Although not everyone will love you for you the people who matter will.
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable! I’ve learnt that when we begin to speak out truth as scary as it is it empowers others to speak their truth as well. Sometimes that truth is the same but you would never have known if you didn’t voice it. It’s ok to not be ok all the time, I mean how would we really feel our highs if we didn’t have some lows in there too.
Welcome hard situations. (I can hear my husband laughing at this because often there are tears in these situations) I’ve never been good in tight, awkward or uncomfortable situations but I have learnt how important they are for my growth, especially for practicing points 1 + 2 as above. The more uncomfortable we are the more we begin to grow and learn, I wouldn’t be half the person I am if I didn’t get dragged through a tonne of these moments. Some of them I’d consider define my character.
Ps. If I can add a 4th in why not.... be kind and lead with love ALWAYS! Self-explanatory maybe but for you to explore.
What’s a quote/mantra you live by or love?
Anything that starts with “but I don’t want them to think...” will end in you not standing as your fully expressed self.
What do you think women should be doing more of to support other women?
I think women should be supporting other women as much as possible. Buy your friends clothes they’ve released, buy tickets to their show, buy their art, supports your girls fundraiser, watcher her movie, read her book, go to her yoga class. Everything we can do to support our own girl gang is massive. Create your own girl gang and pool your money and more importantly resources, make it an event, we all love brunch or wine or dessert sometimes so do your research and why not find a place that’s run by women and spend your money there. Take it one step further and actually really care about the girls in your gang, know what they are going through, check in to make sure they are ok, make it a safe place that they can talk in and maybe unravel if they need. There’s so much power in that.
Who inspires you and why?
I find I draw inspiration not from too many individuals. More of a drive to be better and all that it encompasses. Sometimes though I am surprisingly inspired by women who are able to speak their truth and I am humbled by it, women who have been through it all and are still able to be kind and caring, women who are insanely powerful and still able to be empathetic. Generally I really love anyone who is a good person and let’s that shine through no matter what. 
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