Layne Beachley On Mentoring, Adoption & Winning

She already knew how to handle a surfboard but it was a pivotal moment – when her dad revealed she was adopted – that then, eight-year-old Layne Beachley from Manly Beach on Sydney’s North Shore, knew she had a reason to become the best in the world at what she loved. It didn’t take her long.
Using that same sense of focus and drive, she’s now helping others and in the past 12 years over 400 Australian girls and women from all walks of life have received a call from Layne to break the news that they’ve won an ‘Aim For The Stars Foundation’ Scholarship.’

The Foundation’s aim is to ‘empower and enable individuals to take control of their lives, to invest in their future and fulfil their potential’ with the idea they become leaders within their communities. The support they receive via the scholarship enables them to give back to their own communities, and now with a new ‘Women in Leadership Forum’ due to launch next month (watch this space), a nation-wide 12-month program to help even more women who are courageous enough to reach out for assistance in reaching their goals.

In this interview, Layne talks about what the Foundation means to her, how it came about and the admiration she has for the women and girls who have benefitted.

To follow the one-on-one interview with Robyn Foyster and the vision of some of women engaged in ‘Aim For The Stars’ just click ‘play’, but if you prefer a good read – then here’s how the conversation went:

Layne: So we launched the ‘Aim For The Stars Foundation’ in 2003, we had our first intake of scholarships is 2004 and over the years we’ve actually supported 400 women from all walks of life, so from sport, business, science, technology, academia, environment, culture, sustainability and community.

Robyn: Incredible.

Layne: They are all incredible and inspiring women. They’re all so courageous to at least put their hands up and ask for help because they’ve all got a passion. One of the things about ‘Aim For The Stars’ is that it’s a niche foundation. We’re not supporting people who are sick or dying or terribly disadvantaged, we’re helping women who want to be leaders within their communities. We’re helping women who want to be great positive role models for others within their communities. We’re helping women who have passion and initiative and drive, and also women who have the courage to put their hands up and say we need some help. That’s what ‘Aim For The Stars’ does, we provide them with that pillar of support and also provide a bit of a financial injection into their careers to ensure they achieve their goals.

Robyn: So it must be incredible when they get that call… “This is Layne Beachley…” What’s the reaction been like?

Layne: I have the wonderful opportunity to call the girls ‘when they’ve become a successful applicant and when they receive their scholarships, they’re extremely proud and honoured. The variety of responses goes from squeals of delight to tears to absolute silence, to thinking it’s a prank call, to not knowing who I am, to not believing that it’s me – and then to ‘it’s just too cool for school’.

Robyn: In your career you’ve definitely aimed for the stars. Tell us what inspired you in the beginning?

Layne: Well, I started surfing when I was four years old down at Manly Beach. My dad was a surfer and part of the Life Saving Movement and my brother was a surfer – so they were both clubbies. I wasn’t really that interested in the club or nipper scene, I just wanted to be surfing. And what I loved about surfing was being immersed in nature. Being in an environment where I felt centred and connected and just felt like I belonged there. I was very fortunate to be able to turn my passion into a career. It wasn’t a real viable career for women back then and this was the early 90s when I joined the Pro Tour. But my ultimate goal to become a World Champion, quite honestly, emanated from being adopted. I wasn’t aware of that until I won my sixth consecutive World Title. I had this inner driving force which that was just propelling me forward to conquering the world and be the best in the world at something. It all came from when my Dad sat me down as an eight-year-old and told me that I was adopted and that had a profound impact on me – it presented me with the choice to become a victim of circumstance or the master of my destiny because at that moment I felt like I was abandoned, I felt rejected, I felt worthless, I felt unloved. And so I thought “I know, if I become the best in the world at something everyone will love me”. That’s not how it works but essentially that’s what drove me and my goal to become a World Champion, which when I achieved that by the time I was 26, I became addicted to winning. Obviously.

Robyn: That would become addictive! I want another trophy!

Layne (laughs): And more, and more!
So after winning my sixth world title that’s when I really took the time to stop and reflect on my success and I tended to look back on the most challenging times and think, ‘What was it that made the biggest difference?’ It was people believing in me, people supporting me, people keeping me honest – you know, keeping those honest barometers in my life. Family, friends, mentors, life coaches, surfers, trainers… you name it. One thing I did learn early on is that when you surround yourself with experts, you save yourself a lot of time.

Robyn: It’s incredible what you’ve achieved but a lot of people would be out there thinking, ‘How can I help?’ What can they do?

Layne: Thank you. There are many ways people can help with Aim For The Stars. They can jump online and learn about us and then spread the word – that we’re out there supporting the dreams and aspirations of women. They can also become a sponsor, donor, mentor or instigate workplace giving – there’s a variety of ways people can get involved. We are a very small, niche charity. We don’t raise millions of dollars but all of the money we do raise goes back into developing the programs and creating a more meaningful experience for all the girls who get involved with the Foundation.

Robyn: Thanks for your time Layne.

Layne: Thank you Robyn.

For more information on Layne Beachley and ‘The Aim For the Stars Foundation