From the boardroom of Australia’s biggest banks as a leading Financial Advisor to qualifying three times for the Ironman World Championships despite health issues, Amanda Thompson has never been afraid of a challenge.

As an Award-winning Financial Advisor and Founder of Endurance Financial, Amanda has, for the past 17 years, specialised in offering strategic financial guidance for individuals and businesses with complex matters requiring more than textbook advice.

As a dynamic keynote speaker, Amanda is able to captivate audiences with her intelligent wit and real life stories. She is particularly driven to help men and women overcome the gender biases that stand in the way of personal achievement; lessons learned after thriving in typically male-dominated environments.

Whether delivering financial advice or inspirational anecdotes, Amanda’s philosophy is to provide unique, accountable, and comprehensive information that leads to successful outcomes. Her areas of expertise in business include investment strategy, wealth creation, self-managed superannuation, personal insurance, and retirement strategies. Her areas of focus in life include resilience, determination, and dedication to something bigger than self.

Amanda is sharing her inspiring and empowering story with us.

Thank you for joining us here at The Corporate Escapists. Please introduce yourself to our readers. They would love to know about you, your passion, and how you came to find and follow your passion.

Hi! I’m Amanda of Endurance Financial. My goal in business is to turn YOU into an astute CFO, with focus, direction, and a tailored game plan. In particular, my passion is to empower women through a clear understanding of how to make their organisation profitable and achieve their long-term financial goals. I am to provide you with financial know-how and confidence to have a positive relationship with money and value yourself AND to pay YOU what you are actually worth. I am always on hand to lend guidance. The name Endurance Financial stems from my passion of competing in Ironman Triathlons. Who better than to name my business than the person who knows me best – my Mum.

Tell us what attributes you feel make a good leader in business today?

We are all constantly challenged by something. It’s how we play out the challenges and what we do with the experience that makes us. Accountability and Authenticity are two words you need to be to lead by example.

What is your favourite quote about empowerment?
If you’re searching for that one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own business?
If life has taught me anything, it’s that you have to live it with a lot of grit, determination, and passion.

You must take chances and give everything you’re all.

Today, my philosophy in life is just get the work done. Every night I write a to-do list for the next day. Then as soon as I wake, I jump out of bed and start ticking off the tasks.

Usually, the first task of the day is a swim or a run. I never hit snooze on my alarm. I never let excuses, like I’m too tired, stop me from training. I just get it done. Don’t ever think success is easy — it never is. You need to work hard to succeed; dig deep within yourself to accomplish tasks.

What would be one (1) question you would you ask the person who most inspires you?  Also, share with us about this person and why they inspire you?

My grandfather taught me so many lessons in life but perhaps none greater than don’t be defined by how others see you. He was a man who refused to be defined by his disability. In society’s eyes, he was blind. Yet in his eyes, he saw — and he saw so much more than you or I could ever imagine. He studied and became a barrister. This was before Brail university books existed.

I would love just one more chance to sit on his knee (that is where the best place to receive advice was) and ask him just how he always saw the good in people, even when they were not being worthy?

You can connect with Amanda here on Linkedin.