Meet Nat

Nat Heath is a proud Noongar and Martujarra man who has entirely dedicated his life’s work to developing and empowering young Indigenous people. Nat learned as early as 16 years old that his “...gift was working with young, Indigenous people. That’s what I’m good at”.

Nat would select Aboriginal Studies and Social Policy at the University of Newcastle for his undergraduate, before pursuing a successful career with the New South Wales Department of Education in its Aboriginal Services team, eventually becoming the leader of that team. Nat’s decision to close this chapter and align further still with his calling is profound, manifesting in his founding of TriMob; a triathlon club and registered Australian charitable & non-profit organisation focused on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

When did you become aware of your sense of purpose?

"I realised early on that my purpose was to work with First Nations youth". Nat's sense of purpose became clear during his teenage years, influenced by his early experiences as a student representative and later as the founder of an Indigenous mentoring group in his school. This would inevitably shape his path towards Aboriginal Studies at university and a life of advocacy.

As we discussed his early desire to support younger, underrepresented Indigenous students, we had a giggle as Nat - very humanly - conceded that he had a lot of self-development to undergo at that age (didn’t we all). With that, it was an older Aboriginal fella’s dissatisfaction in his mucking around that truly lit a fire in him to become the role model he felt he was destined to be. I think Nat would deem it fair to say that this fire carries through in his desire to lead by example at TriMob.

Your key individual goals

Nat’s individual goals comprised of: the need to be a good human, to be a good uncle, and to lead TriMob as an organisation that empowers his people. While his vision of empowering 1000 First Nations Australians to participate in swimming, biking and running is the latter in motion, the byproduct of it is the emotional, cultural, physical, and spiritual well-being of First Nations peoples.

Noting that he led with a core obligation to be good to others, particularly his niece and nephews, I asked if that was significant and of course, it was. Whilst Nat was eager to remind me that he is a “very flawed human”, he conceded TriMob will only be as good as his very self. Nat unsurprisingly didn’t speak of his own athletic achievements in this section, but could his recent qualification for the Ironman World Championships at Ironman Australia (9 hours 31 mins) better epitomise a leadership style built upon tangible actions and positive role modelling?

Your proudest moment

It was at this very race, Ironman Australia, that produced Nat's proudest achievement with TriMob. Not his own result, but his witnessing of six IRONMOB athletes, such as Bobby Maher, complete their first full-distance IRONMAN triathlon, making history in the process. "Witnessing Bobby cross that finish line at 16 hours & 1 minute (as well as the other 5 IRONMOB athletes) was my single greatest achievement”. Nat speaks to Bobby’s achievement specifically with the context that she is now closer to 50 than she is 40 and is an athlete who needed to stay resolute and true to the course at every stage of the program

“It was a powerful moment, she and the other athletes showed what’s possible" Nat shares. "It affirmed that TriMob is not just about sports, but true empowerment. I knew I was doing what I was meant to do in that moment". Readers; when you’re finished reading, please check out the linked YouTube video for a better sense of the significance of this moment for TriMob and First Nations Peoples!

Nat’s Personal Drivers

For Nat, as mentioned, he is an athlete who has always maintained form for many years at the top end of age group fields. I wanted to pry into what his training means to him, knowing the immense power of sport in unlocking our potential! His first response; “If you’re going to suggest to people they should be doing something, you better be doing it yourself!”. Training for Nat is not only essential to his lifestyle, but it’s therapeutic and importantly allows him to challenge negative generational cycles.

“We don't have a long life expectancy as Indigenous people. Then, if I look at my personal family, I'm trying to break inter-generational trauma that has led to many early deaths in our family, and I'm not saying that sport is the (only) avenue (to change that), but it definitely helps on an individual level to process (those things)”.

"Seeing young Indigenous people gain confidence and achieve things they never thought possible is what keeps me going".

Your biggest challenges

Nat’s growth as a Founder is a journey that has seemingly had him outside of his comfort zone 100% of the time; "There's just a lot of things you don't know until you know". It’s a story that’s not uncommon to hear from a Founder, especially in that ‘build it whilst it’s flying’ phase. But then, factor in the enormity of trying to bring representation to a sport that distinctly lacks it. Now on top of that, bake in the historical context of Australia as a Country and First Nations Peoples’ fight for justice and recognition. This is possibly the most profound thing readers can take with them; TriMob might not be a multi-million dollar purpose-for-profit business, but to triumph and emerge in the most adverse environment is a true metaphor for the unstoppable power of purpose.

How do we pursue purpose?

Nat's advice to aspiring change-makers; "Do something that you're hugely passionate about". Nat and I agreed that aligning personal values with purpose-driven actions can only result in great outcomes for you and your community. "If you’re fair dinkum [sincere] about it, it’s gotta almost be consuming of your life," Nat reflects, underscoring the commitment required for meaningful change.

How can we support your cause?