In this episode, we sit down with Zali Steggall, Olympian, barrister, and Member for Warringah, to explore her extraordinary journey from the slopes of the French Alps to the halls of Australian Parliament.

Born in Manly in 1974, Zali grew up between the Northern Beaches and the French Alps, where she discovered her love for skiing. Coming from a sporting family, with a grandfather who represented Australia in rugby and a father active in rugby and surf lifesaving, it was perhaps no surprise that Zali would go on to compete in four Winter Olympic Games, achieving medal success against the odds.

After retiring from sport, Zali built a remarkable career in law, completing her studies by correspondence while competing, practising as a barrister specialising in sport and family law, and serving on the International Court of Arbitration for Sport. Her contributions to sport and charity earned her an Order of Australia Medal in 2007 and induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Beyond career achievements, Zali is passionate about family and community. She and her family love raising their children in Warringah, taking part in local schools, sports, and activities, while Zali works tirelessly in Parliament to address issues like cost of living, climate, governance, and environmental protection.

In this conversation, we dive into the values that shaped her — courage, commitment, and determination — and how she brings the same drive from the slopes to representing her community in politics.

Stephenie Rodriguez is a digital strategist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As an Ambassador for the Global Fund and The Women’s Resilience Centre, Stephenie leverages her voice and expertise to champion gender equality and resilience initiatives globally.

Her journey is a powerful story of resilience - surviving a life-threatening battle with cerebral malaria, enduring 13 surgeries, and relearning how to walk. This experience ignited her mission to support women in overcoming adversity and building strength in the face of life’s challenges.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Stephenie inspires others to rise above setbacks, embrace innovation, and create meaningful change for vulnerable communities worldwide.

Michael de Haan is a seasoned financial professional with more than 25 years in the industry. After a successful career as a financial planner, he transitioned into coaching and advocacy, bringing a unique blend of financial expertise and human-centred support. Today, Michael is a Certified Money Behaviour Coach and a trained Financial Abuse Specialist, dedicated to helping people overcome limiting beliefs, rebuild independence, and live with dignity.

Michael’s passion lies in tackling one of the most hidden and damaging forms of coercive control: financial abuse. Affecting 1 in 6 women and 1 in 13 men in Australia, financial abuse often goes unseen, yet it is a precursor to other forms of domestic violence. Michael’s work focuses on equipping financial service professionals to identify red flags, support clients at risk, and advocate for stronger systems of protection.

In this episode, Michael shares:

-What financial abuse looks like and the red flags to be aware of.

-Why financial service professionals must embrace their duty of care, despite gaps in government policy.

-How elder financial abuse is on the rise, with urgent need for awareness and safeguards.

-A practical framework for survivors to rebuild their financial independence and take back control of their lives.

Michael’s dream is bold but clear: to eradicate domestic violence by shining a light on financial abuse and ensuring all Australians can live with financial dignity and independence. His upcoming book, Financial Abuse: The Real Truth Behind This Hidden Epidemic and Steps to Take Back Control (August 2025), further amplifies this mission.

👉 Connect with Michael:

🌐 www.quantumleap-global.com