Geelong artist, author and motivational speaker Justine Martin has won the International Judges Choice Award at the International Coaches Awards gala ceremony on the Gold Coast.
Ms Martin, who was nominated in three categories, was selected from a huge field of 200 international finalists to win the award and over $12,000 in prizes.
She said the award was so unexpected she had not given any thought to an acceptance speech.
“I didn’t expect it at all, it totally floored me,” Ms Martin said.
“I didn’t even have an acceptance speech prepared, which was quite funny, considering it was an international speaker/coach award.
“I’m just gobsmacked that, with all the credentials that were in the room and all the things these other speakers and coaches are doing, I actually won it.”
In addition to her work as an artist and author, Ms Martin is a regular keynote speaker at events across the country, speaking about resilience, her experience living with multiple sclerosis, surviving three instances of cancer and other serious health conditions.
“I want to help as many people as I can, and at a speaking gig I can affect the lives of so many people in a positive way,” Ms Martin said.
“I’ve said for a long time that my story is someone else’s survival guide, and if it helps one person in the audience look for a better future and know that there’s hope and positivity, then it’s worth getting up and talking.
“It gives me a purpose in life, that maybe the reason so many things have gone wrong for me is to help others.”
