by Shanel
Last week, I stepped onto the stage at the Whakatane Sportfish Club, feeling both honored and terrified as I presented Wild Chix to 120 delegates from around the country at the New Zealand Sportfishing Council's annual general meeting. It was a whirlwind of emotions—extreme privilege to represent our brand and women everywhere, paired with absolute terror about how I would be received.
But you know what? I’m so glad I jumped. Because if I hadn’t, I never would have discovered I could fly. I did have to pause several times and take some big deep breaths and calm the nerves, but you can’t reeeeeeally tell on the rewatch - especially when I twirl it like this 😉🐙
Wild Chix holds a special place in my heart, and so does Isabell, the incredible founder of this empowering company. She has inspired me in ways where others have failed. Helping me shift my core beliefs from feelings of incompetence and irrelevance which have been given to my by others over my lifetime, to confidence, purpose and the ability to see my own light - and to stop giving a f**k about all the haters!
Her vision for Wild Chix isn’t just about women fishing, boating and hunting; it’s about creating a supportive community where women can thrive, learn, and share their passion for the water, the bush, and life in general. She has seen the sunshine in me, my passion for the ocean, my intelligence and excitement, that many over my lifetime have seen it also, yet she has been able to tease it out with gentle encouragement, a few well placed swear words, unwavering kindness and support… and a lot of faith, trust and pixie dust… and now, we want to do that for YOU!
As I looked out at the audience with an approximate ratio of 80:20, men to women last week, I realized this moment wasn’t just for me; it was for every woman who has ever felt sidelined in a male-dominated space. I wanted to share that we are here, and we aren’t afraid to break down barriers, catch record fish, and challenge the stereotypes put on women. I spoke about the impact that role models, both men and women alike can have, not just in fishing but in all areas of life. After all, when women see other women succeeding, it ignites a spark of possibility.
Throughout my presentation, I shared a few lighthearted stories about myself and life to ease the tension. I am not sure that the men in front of me really knew what to think of me initially, but I am pretty sure by the time my half hour was up, they got the gist… we are here, we want to be here, and we want to be respected and acknowledged for what we can bring to the table - and have a whole lot of fun while we do it!!
A huge thank you to Mike, Jess, Sydney and Sam from the NZSFC for their encouragement in the absence of Isabell, and for Mike getting up on stage to pop one of our Wild Chix lifejackets as part of the presentation. We like to get a few giggles, even from the lads!
After my presentation there were a few stories shared and it was so heartwarming that many of the clubs delegates sought me out to enquire how we get into their clubs. Seeing the gentlemen wanting to embrace this change was so exciting!! We 100% want to create a symbiotic relationship between Wild Chix and the Fishing Clubs around New Zealand, so that there are more friendships to be formed, more glasses of bubbles to be had, and more musical laughter from the ladies in these spaces… And more FISHING and BOATING and HUNTING can be done!!! Let’s send it ladies 🙂
P.S. bonus points if you got the Disney/Pixar references in this post, let’s be besties 🥰
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