Lauren Burns OAM, the Australian Olympic icon who claimed an historic gold medal at Sydney 2000, will play a vital role in supporting the next generation of athletes off the mat after being appointed as the new Wellbeing & Engagement Manager for CombatAUS.
Burns will be focused on the holistic support and development of Australian Judo, Taekwondo and Wrestling high performance athletes, enabling them to thrive in sport and in life.
Her recruitment reaffirms CombatAUS’s pledge to Win Well in line with the HP2032+ Sport Strategy, which recognises wellbeing as the foundation of sustainable success.
Burns became a household name at the Sydney Games when she became the first – and only – Australian to win Olympic gold in Taekwondo when she was victorious in the W-49kg event.
She said she was motivated to bring her vast experience as an athlete, author, academic and mindset coach to the CombatAUS stable of sports.
“I’m incredibly excited to join CombatAUS. Supporting athletes through the highs and challenges of high-performance sport has been a passion of mine for years, and I look forward to bringing my experience in athlete lifestyle, mindset and transitions to this role,” Burns said.
“Strong relationships are the foundation of success and I’m committed to fostering a culture where connection, support and resilience empower athletes to thrive – both in sport and in life.”
After her history-making career as an athlete, Burns completed a Bachelor of Health Science, Naturopathy, before undertaking her PhD in Lifestyles and Mindset of Elite Athletes.
She has also been involved in a number of other sports research projects and academic publications. To add to the list, Burns is a former Young Australian of the Year and a best-selling author, having written two books; Fighting Spirit and Food from a Loving Home.
CombatAUS Chief Executive Officer Alex Vallentine said Burns’ transition to a successful career post-sport, along with her illustrious career as a Taekwondo athlete, made her the ideal candidate to support athletes through the LA2028 cycle and in preparation for a home Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane 2032.
“Lauren brings an incredibly rich and relevant background to this important position. I have no doubt she will play an excellent role supporting our athletes as they chase success on the international stage,” Vallentine said.
“Her DNA may be in Taekwondo but Lauren is excited to now also work with the Judo and Wrestling programs and we have no doubt her guidance, expertise and advice will elevate and inspire all of the athletes she will be working with moving forward.”
Burns will begin her role on March 24 based at the CombatAUS National Performance Centre in Melbourne.
