ALYCIA Poynton is learning to run and is speaking out – as loudly as she can – at the same time.
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Ms Poynton, who grew up in Ballarat, hates running but is using a rare chance to run the New York City Marathon to both break the cycle of family violence and empower women in her hometown.
The Brisbane-based entrepreneur will run as a White Ribbon ambassador but rather than just asking for sponsorship, Ms Poynton wants to make a difference each step of her preparations.
Ms Poynton called on a selection of Ballarat’s most successful business women to share a little of their trade advice to help others getting into the game.
Plans are already underway for the now Brisbane-based Ms Poynton to bring back another event from The Boss Collective, her forum to connect like-minded women. This time the focus will shift from starting a business to empowering others to achieve their health and fitness goals.
“There are so many incredible stories of women here in Ballarat. There are a lot of events like this in Brisbane and Sydney but Ballarat has an incredible network of people without many ways to get together and share their stories,” Ms Poynton said.
A key part of the journey has been Ms Poynton sharing her own story and experience of family violence from her mum’s then-partner as a child: something she says "always encourages other women to speak up and share their own heart breaking experience. Speaking out the first time is always terrifying but standing up to say 'It's not ok' is such an important step in moving forward"
“I’ve come out the other side and have a great story to tell,” Ms Poynton said.
"White Ribbon focus on preventing violence by implementing programs in schools and workplaces to recognise those that need our help as well as breaking the cycle of violence before it starts."
You can support Alycia’s Run for Respect in NYC here.
Register your interest for future events from The Boss Collective here.
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