Natalie Queiroz MBE

It has famously been said many times – Life is a Rollercoaster. It is full of highs and lows. But how do we keep that positive focus, that ‘I can do this’ mindset no matter how tough our challenges get? How can we build our resilience and live our best life, making the most impact in all we do?

In 2016 Natalie’s world was a safe, secure and happy one. Working in a professional career in the pharmaceutical industry, living in her large house which she was about to renovate in a leafy suburban area, mum already to two girls, heavily pregnant with her third daughter and planning her wedding with her partner whilst just having celebrated her 40^th birthday! She believed life was going to begin at 40 with all the excitement ahead. But little did she know life was about to blow up and change forever in a matter of minutes on a quiet Friday afternoon on the eve of her maternity leave.

Literally fighting for her life in the street, Natalie battled against a man in disguise as he stabbed her 24 times with a 12 inch carving knife. Experiencing something usually only seen on the big screen, her attack lasted 9 long minutes. But she didn’t give up the fight once. Airlifted from the scene with everyone believing there was no way she and her unborn baby could survive, she stayed determined to live. After coming out of her induced coma, Natalie learnt the amazing news that not only she had fought on but so had her baby – although they were in separate hospitals and both in a critical state. However, Natalie’s world then fell completely apart when she learnt from the waiting police that the man arrested at the scene was in fact her partner, the man she was pregnant by and planning her wedding with, the man she had known since childhood, the man who left home as normal that morning, gone to work and chatted on the phone to her as she walked to the town centre.

What was left of Natalie’s broken world unravelled further as she proceeded to uncover a dark truth about her now ex-partner, along with facing multiple surgeries and terrible prognoses about her child and her own future health. But Natalie was not going to let it overcome her.. step by step she held her head high and rebuilt her life. She discovered new purpose and new meaning.

In her keynote, Natalie stuns audience with her story of survival. She inspires all who listen about what we can all get through. She adds a sense of purpose to life, which will last for years to come.

Natalie’s keynote, which can range from 30 minutes to an hour, will give your audience:

• An energy and discovery of their own inner superpower to perform at their highest level
• An understanding of the strength in forming goals and steps to get to where they need to be in life – be that personally or in their workplace
• The belief in their own self-worth and value – we all bring something important to the table
• The ability to put all challenges into context and ways to overcome them
• A mantra to never give in, to always fight on each day as it will get better and the wins will be realised.

Whether you are focussing on mental wellbeing at work, wanting to uplift the focus and drive in your team or just give that sense of empowerment to all in your workplace – Natalie’s keynote will deliver. With testimonials such as ‘The most inspirational speaker I have heard’ and ‘she manages to bring humour and uplift in what is the most incredulous life-story’ – you will not be disappointed and you will give your audience a completely unique experience that will stay with them for years to come.

Natalie now works with vulnerable young people across the community empowering them to overcome their personal challenges and life their best life. She is an active anti-knife crime campaigner and in 2022 was awarded an MBE for ‘Services To Young People and The Prevention of Knife Crime’ as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list. Additionally she is an Ambassador for a Domestic Abuse Survivors Symposium – empowering those in the workplace to stand tall and not only survive but thrive past domestic abuse.

Natalie was awarded an MBE on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee honours list – For Services to Young People and the Prevention of Knife Crime

• Motivation
• Inspiration: From Surviving to Thriving
• Resilience – the ability to get through anything and come back stronger
• ‘Right Here – Right Now’ -Be the person you deserve to be today
• The power of language- avoiding ‘victim blaming’
• Domestic Abuse – a different perspective
• Violence Against Women – a real-life perspective
• Educational – trauma/youth violence/extra familial harm

“Often something is lost when speakers are called upon to repeat their stories day in day out to different audiences, and perhaps something of their original motivations depreciate over time as a result. Natalie speaks with authenticity and a clear passion to use her story to support others, create positive change and particularly to inspire and empower young people. As a result she speaks with a power that is rare in ‘motivational speaking’ and goes beyond the motivational with the potential to be transformational”  Cambridge University

 “You could hear a pin drop in the room as she bravely described the details of her ordeal. It's a powerful story that everyone should hear and leaves a huge and lasting impact.”  Charlie Beswick, Mentor, Charity Founder & CEO – Our Altered Life

“Natalie is not only a mesmerising speaker, she tells her story with soul and body. I’d heard Natalie’s story before as we were prepping for TEDx Cumbernauld Women yet her delivery on the day had the whole audience 100% engaged and it was like I was hearing it for the first time. She’s one of those speakers you never tire of listening, and I feel completely privileged to have hosted her talk at our event.”  TEDx Cumbernauld Women & Producer at Firewalker Films

Natalie's TEDx – ‘Still Standing, Make it Count’  Natalie Queiroz: Still standing – make it count | TED Talk.