The Positive Pants

15/09/2026

It’s amazing how quickly life can change. And I thought I had received this message loud and clear with a cancer diagnosis 4 years ago. Clearly I had more to learn 😅

Just over a week ago, on a Friday morning I was getting on with life as normal. Making my son his breakfast then my husband a coffee in the morning. A very sudden severe pain in my arm and then head lead us to rush to emergency room. Cellulitus had developed into sepsis and I quickly became seriously unwell. I ended up spending a week in hospital, on an antibiotic drip. One thing the doctor said really hit home hard, was I was lucky I got help when I did. That’s quite a thing to hear.

After everything I’ve been through with cancer, I don’t see this as another poor me moment. If anything, it’s another reminder of how precious life really is. How quickly things can change. For any of us, at any time.

Once again I was reminded about how we can spend so much time rushing around, worrying about things that probably won’t matter in a year’s time and assuming there will always be another tomorrow.

Sometimes life gives you a reminder to slow down and look at what you already have. I’m home now I’m recovering, and I’m really grateful. And pretty tired. My body has been fighting hard.

I feel so grateful for my family and friends. I feel so grateful for the people who looked after me.
And truly I feel grateful that I listened to my body and got help when I did.

Sitting here in my lovely home sipping hot tea in my comfortable bed, I simply feel grateful for another ordinary day. It truly is the simple things in life.

If there’s one thing I’ve taken from this, it’s simple, listen to your body and don’t ignore it when something doesn’t feel right. I don't like to think what might have happened if I had just gone back to bed to sleep it off.

But not just that. As I was spiralling, the most dominant thoughts I had were, have I told my loved ones enough how much they mean to me?

Life can change in minutes.

So love your people, enjoy the little things, and don’t wait for a wake up call to appreciate how bloody lucky we are to be here. 🩷🩷🩷

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

After a touch of jet lag 😅 I had the best day morning running a Positive Pants workshop with a school support team. There were around 40 beautiful souls there.

We talked about creating a positive workplace culture, but really it came down to something pretty simple.

How do people feel after they’ve been around us?

We talked about the invisible backpacks we all carry, the various rocks we hold in them, the power of our words, how easy it is to add to someone’s load without even realising it, and how much difference it can make when someone simply notices, includes, encourages or checks in.

I shared a bit of my own story too, we did some muscle testing, had some laughs, and there were definitely a few lightbulb moments along the way.

It was such a good reminder that positive culture isn’t about everyone skipping around being happy all day.

It’s about being a decent human. Being aware of the impact our own energy has on others. Being kind.
Encouraging each other.
And remembering we never really know what someone else is carrying.

I absolutely loved doing this one.

So if you’re sitting there thinking your workplace, school or team could do with a bit of a Positive Pants reset, please message me.

My workshops are very engaging, fun, meaningful, impactful, interactive without being intrusive and I give everyone attending a special little gift.

I reckon there are a few workplaces out there that # would benefit from a little positive pants magic 🩷

24/07/2026

Last week I flew halfway around the world to Scotland with a mission- to surprise my beautiful mum for her 80th birthday.

Only my brother, his partner and my daughter Chloe knew. Everyone else thought I was still in New Zealand.

Keeping the secret was hard, but seeing Mum’s face when opened up the big pink box and realised it was me not a puppy or garden furniture 😅 made every mile, every lie to protect the surprise, and every second of planning completely worth it.

Some moments in life can’t be bought. They become memories you’ll treasure forever.

Happy 80th Birthday, Mum. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Being able to be here to celebrate this milestone with you is a gift I’ll never forget. I love you more than words can say.

Here’s the moment she realised 🩷

14/07/2026

Tonight I get to share my story.

Not because I have all the answers, but because I know what it’s like to rebuild your life when everything falls apart.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited to stand up and hopefully remind someone that no matter what they’ve been through… they can rise too.

Wish me luck and you are also welcome to come along. The Rotary that have invited me along to speak are hoping to raise funds for a young local boy recently been diagnosed with Cancer. Maybe see you there 🩷🩷🩷

Beachlands Baptist Church
6.30pm
Tonight ( Wednesday 15th July)

13/07/2026

Can't wait to join my buddy Lucy Marie Francis for our Monday sessions. Always so much comes up and we also always have room for some laughter and shenanigans too hope you can join us too 🩷

11/07/2026

🩷🩷🩷

09/07/2026

I am so pleased I can help to generate some funds for a little boy who has developed cancer by sharing my story with the community in Beachlands next Wednesday. Details below and you are so welcome to come along and just a donation for entry.

Pohutukawa Coast Rotary has organised a special fundraising event for Leo Mclean.

Wednesday, the 15 of July at 6.30 pm. The venue will be at the Baptist Church, 59 Third View Avenue. Beachlands. Amy McAauley, professional speaker and author, will share her story.

Amy, with honesty, humour, and authenticity, will talk about some of the challenges in her life, among them mental health and cancer. Amy will also share some of the ways she turned her life around. This will include strategies and tips for personal improvement. According to Amy, "My mission is to inspire people to find hope, strength, and healing, no matter what challenges they are facing".

‘This is more than a talk - it’s a conversation about healing, mindset, community and choosing positivity even through life's toughest moments

Entrance will be by voluntary donation, EFT available, with all proceeds going to Leo’s family

07/07/2026

There is something on my heart that I feel like sharing with you. As you know I wear it on my sleeve. The reason I want to share this is I believe there is something for us all to take from this myself included.

Building "Rise Up With Amy" has brought up a lot more fear than I expected. 😬 It is a very familiar feeling. When I ran Powerhoop same fear was there. Not just at the beginning but each time I put an offer out. Each time I stepped out of my comfort zone. Each time I ran a retreat, a challenge, a charity event. When I launched my book. When I spoke out about my own personal battles with mental health. Fear was like my driving buddy. But I rarely let it stop me.

And now my new website is being built, the monthly costs have started, and suddenly this dream feels very real.

I’m speaking more, writing my books, and I’ve got so many ideas for coaching, retreats and other things I want to create. In the meantime teaching First Aid to keep things ticking along.

But if I’m honest, I still have days where I wonder who am I to do this? What if no one wants what I have to offer? Anyone who has run any business will for sure know this feeling. It's pretty normal. Then I realised something. Maybe I’m not short of ideas. Maybe I’m just scared of putting myself fully out there.

The funny thing is, if someone came to me feeling like this, I’d tell them to back themselves. I’d remind them that they don’t need to help thousands of people. They just need to help one. I tell myself each time I post.

So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

I am not waiting until I feel 100% ready. I’m going to keep showing up, keep sharing my story and keep trusting that the right people will find me when they need me. I do believe that 🩷 And maybe it’s about becoming the person I’ve always known I could be.

If you’re sitting on a dream too, wondering if you’re good enough, maybe this is your reminder. 🩷

Don’t wait until you’re fearless. That will just hold you back. Expect fear to join your on your journey. Just don't let him take the driving seat.

Just take the next step.

We’ll work the rest out along the way. ❤️