Testimonials

“We booked Mark for our annual operator offsite as his story aligned with the themes of resilience and navigating change that we were wanting to convey. Mark delivered an authentic and inspiring keynote on his journey from playing in the NRL, to his brain cancer diagnosis and the establishment of the Mark Hughes foundation.

Mark’s story and his message on the impact of gratitude and positivity was engaging and thought provoking. Our team were so engaged and moved by his story, that Mark received a standing ovation.

I would highly recommend Mark to any business looking to convey themes around resilience, navigating change and making a positive impact on the world.”

“If you’re looking for a keynote speaker for any occasion, I unreservedly recommend Mark. Mark’s segment was engaging, funny, inspiring, interesting, heartwarming – I’m running out of adjectives. 

I had several attendees seek me out at the end of the conference to tell me that Mark’s talk was their highlight. 

Mark’s story and delivery balances perfectly the mystic of a celebrity; the respect for an elite athlete; the inspiration of someone who has faced their own mortality and how he is moving through that with grace, grit and humour; the determination of someone dedicated to giving back; and the relatability of an ‘ordinary’, humble family man.

To top it off, he is an organisers dream – easy to deal with, HE checked in with ME in the lead up to the event, was there early for his AV check; and once he was organised, Mark turned around and asked ME what he could do to chip in and help get ready for the day before the attendees arrived.  Genuinely good character, on top of an engaging speaker.”

“Mark Hughes’ story was nothing short of inspiring—his message of resilience, gratitude, shifting mindset, and giving back resonated deeply with all of us. The session was a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can make a meaningful difference, and supporting the Mark Hughes Foundation through Beanies for Brain Cancer is one way we can all contribute to that impact. I highly recommend others take the opportunity to hear Mark and Kirralee’s story—it’s one that stays with you long after the session ends.”

The feedback from those in attendance has been overwhelmingly positive. Our staff were highly impressed with your candour, sincerity and humour as you described your sporting career and health challenges, as well as the establishment of your foundation to assist in the battle against brain cancer.

Sharing your experiences with our team was the perfect conclusion to an important development and learning day for our organisation. It provided a poignant reminder of perspective and resilience, as well as the importance of embracing both challenges and opportunities.

We really appreciate your generosity with your time during the event. Our staff believe that your participation was a very positive element of our team forum.

“I had the pleasure of inviting Mark Hughes into the NSW State of Origin camp. His presentation was educational, humorous and inspiring. I was struck with great pride watching an ex-NSW Origin player show resilience to combat the disease ‘brain cancer’ but also take the ball up and champion the cause. I would fully endorse anyone looking for inspiration to engage with Mark Hughes.”

The Townsville Businessman’s Challenge proudly hosts an annual Charity Gala Dinner aimed at raising awareness about the profound impact of prostate cancer in Australia, with a special emphasis on supporting our local community.

For the 2024 Gala Dinner, we had the privilege of welcoming Mark Hughes as our guest speaker. Addressing a crowd of 400 guests, Mark delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking speech. He shared insights into his work with the Mark Hughes Foundation, which plays a pivotal role in funding brain cancer research, raising awareness, and providing support to patients and their families.

Mark also offered heartfelt reflections on his NRL career, candidly discussing the highs and lows of life as a professional athlete. His engaging storytelling truly resonated with our audience.

Organizing Mark’s visit to North Queensland was seamless and professional from start to finish. From our initial communication to the final arrangements, including a thoughtful call from LAX just days before the event, Mark’s dedication ensured everything went smoothly. We highly recommend him as a guest speaker for any occasion.

“Mark spoke at our Awards recently and was truly inspirational. Our audience thoroughly embraced his message and the manner in which it was delivered. Mark’s honesty and compassion shone through with a number of people genuinely moved by his story. I am happy to endorse Mark to anyone who is seeking a speaker to lift their people.”