In adversity, we find strength. It’s not about surviving, but thriving—together.
Kellie Finlayson is a respected health advocate and Speaker who is shifting the national conversation around cancer awareness and early detection.
Diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer at 25, just months after the birth of her daughter, Kellie continues to live with a terminal diagnosis. She approaches each stage of her treatment with clarity, strength and a determination to drive change.
She speaks openly about the gaps in health education, the challenges of navigating serious illness and the importance of early action. Her presentations are grounded, relatable and focused on how to find purpose and resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
Kellie’s memoir, There Must Be More, published by Allen & Unwin in 2025, shares her story with honesty and insight, covering her experience of diagnosis, treatment, motherhood and advocacy. It offers practical reflections on living with purpose while managing the realities of a terminal illness.
Kellie is an ambassador for the Jodi Lee Foundation, the face of the national ‘Trust Your Gut’ campaign and co-host of the Sh!t Talkers podcast. She brings a clear voice and strong perspective to conversations about adversity, mindset and what matters most.
Talking Points
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Embracing Strength, Hope, and Purpose
Diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer at just 25, three months after the birth of her daughter, Kellie Finlayson’s story is one of grit, love and a refusal to be defined by a terminal diagnosis.Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Embracing Strength, Hope, and Purpose
In this keynote, she shares how purpose, advocacy and perspective have helped her navigate life on the frontlines of illness. Raw, relatable and at times disarmingly funny, Kellie shares her ongoing journey with honesty, strength and clarity. She challenges assumptions, highlights gaps in health awareness, and invites audiences to reflect on what truly matters and how to keep showing up when life feels impossible.
Key Takeaways:
- A redefined understanding of resilience drawn from real-world adversity
- How to lead with authenticity and purpose through life’s most challenging moments
- Practical insights into the power of mindset, vulnerability and support systems in building personal and professional strength
- A renewed sense of perspective and gratitude, grounded in lived experience
Video
Kellie Finlayson's Battle Against Terminal Cancer | The Project
Kellie Finlayson, the wife of AFL player Jeremy Finlayson, is fighting to save other people's lives in the face of her own battle with terminal cancer.Kellie Finlayson | Trust Your Gut | Jodi Lee Foundation
Kellie is on a mission to raise awareness for the early detection and prevention of bowel cancer, which is alarmingly Australia’s leading cancer killer in 25–34-year-olds. This campaign draws awareness to the symptoms of bowel cancer and encourages people to seek advice from their GP if they experience any symptoms. At the core of this year’s campaign is the new user-friendly online Symptom Checker tool. The Symptom Checker guides the user through a series of questions to respond to, while providing helpful advice and information based on the answers provided.
