AMBASSADOR PROFILE: MAISIE NANKIVELL
Hi, I’m Maisie Nankivell, the newest casual facilitator and ambassador with LifeChanger.
Sport has shaped who I am for as long as I can remember. I’m a dual-sport athlete who competes professionally for Collingwood in the AFLW and netball over the past seven years. Alongside sport, I’ve completed a Bachelor of Criminology and recently added a certification in the Psychology of Criminal Justice.
Away from the field and court, I’m an outgoing, active, and positive person who loves being around friends and family, travelling, and trying new coffee and brunch spots. Sport has taught me resilience, hard work, and the ability to push through setbacks — lessons I hope to pass on to young people. Throughout my journey, I’ve experienced incredible highs but also some deeply challenging lows. I’ve struggled with body image and confidence, and those experiences are a big part of why I’m so passionate about supporting young people today. I hope to be a person kids can turn to — someone who listens, shows up, and believes in them.
I’m incredibly proud and excited to be part of LifeChanger, and I can’t wait to empower the next generation with tools for resilience, self-belief, and wellbeing.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A LIFECHANGER AMBASSADOR, AND HOW DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
I was instantly inspired by the way Scott, Jake, and Nelson (LifeChanger team) spoke about LifeChanger’s impact — the real, tangible difference it makes in helping young people discover who they are, what they care about, and how to navigate life’s challenges with resilience.
I hope to make a difference by showing kids that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Young people face so much pressure today, so I want to be authentic, real, and someone they can rely on. My goal is to support them through whatever they’re facing and remind them that they’re not alone.
WHAT HAVE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU’D LOVE TO SHARE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE?
That life isn’t perfect — no one has it all worked out, and that’s completely okay. I want young people to know that emotions are normal, setbacks are part of growth, and they don’t need to change who they are to meet other people’s expectations.
I hope to help them understand what drives them, what they value, and how to build the tools they need to face adversity with strength.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AT 13, AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
At 13, I was a driven, active kid, but also very unconfident. I was often better at sports than many girls my age (and sometimes the boys), which made me feel insecure. I dreamed of playing professional netball and trained relentlessly, often sacrificing parties, sleep-ins, and the “easy” childhood other kids had.
Looking back, every sacrifice was worth it. But the advice I’d give my younger self is simple: don’t be so hard on yourself. I put enormous pressure on myself to be the best, which led to comparison, self-doubt, and believing I wasn’t enough. I’d remind little me that she was more than good enough all along.
WHY IS MENTAL FITNESS IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND HOW DO YOU PRIORITISE IT?
Mental fitness is essential—it’s what helps us bounce back, persevere, and grow from challenges. Setbacks reveal character, and without them we miss the opportunity to learn and appreciate what we’re truly capable of. I prioritise my mental wellbeing by staying grounded, staying active, seeking support when I need it, and surrounding myself with people who lift me up.
WHAT’S ONE KEY TIP FROM THE LIFECHANGER PILLARS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
Health: Invest in yourself and do what makes you genuinely happy.
Skills: Know your strengths and superpowers and never shy away from them.
Self: Understand what drives you, honour your values, and stay accountable to them.
Purpose: Dream big. You’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for.
Tribe: Be grateful for your people and make sure they know what they mean to you.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR PROUDEST MOMENTS?
I have two.
The first was earning my first professional contract. Only my mum truly understood what I went through to get there — the doubt, the sacrifices, the relentless work. Getting that recognition was incredibly meaningful.
The second is the way I show up for the people I love. Supporting my family and friends, being there in their hardest moments, and helping however I can makes me proud. One of my core values is looking out for others, and living that value brings me so much fulfillment.
WHO ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?
My mum — always.
She is the strongest and most selfless person I know. Our childhood wasn’t always easy, but she found a way to make everything feel okay and to give us everything she could, even when it meant putting her own needs last. She’s my rock, my biggest cheerleader, and the person who shaped so much of who I am today.
