I approach the topic of mental health with humour, and luckily science agrees with me. When we laugh or have any emotional response to stimuli, it opens us up to remember it better. I’ll be honest; I didn’t set out to be funny. I just did what came naturally, which is now a pivotal part of my communication style.

I’ve been on stage, performing since I was four years old. My first public performance was singing “Send in the Clowns” at a massive birthday celebration. Since then, I’ve sung in front of audiences worldwide as a solo artist and in bands with audiences in the thousands. My singing career also led me to win a Tui Award for Gospel Album of the Year.

Between the gigs, I taught Music and Health in schools and honed my skills in story-telling and education. There’s nothing like being thrown in front of a massive group of pre-teens to ensure you know how to keep a crowd's attention! 

Over the last decade, I have experienced massive life changes that led to mental wellness challenges. A diagnosis of clinical depression and anxiety caused me to dig deep and learn practical ways of looking after my brain. A particular struggle was finding good language for such a heavy subject. In the middle of the journey, I put my ‘teacher hat’ on and created Grabable Words, sharing them with audiences at conferences and events. 

The feedback was amazing. I am completely transparent about my own daily mental health journey.  Sharing the tools I used to gain and now maintain my mental health has resulted in tens of thousands of people being impacted by the message of Being Kind to Your Mind. 

Training as a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and gaining my certificate in Mind Health Carer have further enhanced my work, increasing the science-based foundation of the tools I teach. 

Now more than ever, we need to learn to Be Kind to our Minds. I look forward to sharing with your audience, wherever in the world you may be.

- Julia

Kia Ora,
I’m Julia Grace

I’m an international keynote speaker, author, teacher and Tui award-winning singer-songwriter with a strong background in Health Education.

In 2022 I won the Professional Speakers Association NZ Break Through Speaker of the Year and Educator of the Year awards.

The opportunity to share my journey with depression and anxiety and to encourage audiences to care for their mental health is a privilege.

My mission is to teach all ages to Be Kind to Your Mind, a message of hope and practical change. 

Experience

    • PROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION NZ Awards

    • Educator of the Year 2022 - 23

    • Breakthrough Speaker of the Year 2022 - 23

    • Diploma of Teaching NZ 1991

    • NZ Teacher Registration Current

    • Certificate Mind Health Carer - Mind Health

    • Mental Health First Aid - Qualified Instructor MHFA Aotearoa

    • Mental Health First Aid - Qualified Youth Instructor MHFA Aotearoa

    • Tui Award Gospel Album of the Year

    • WINNER - 2005 (Juliagrace)

    • FINALIST - 2010 (Beautiful Survivor)

    • FINALIST - 2017 (Girl on the Kitchen Floor)

    • PRESENTER - 2016

    • PRESENTER - 2019

    • GIFEW Global Women’s Award - Education & Advocacy

  • GREY AREAS WITH PETRA BAGUST
    https://omny.fm/shows/grey-areas-with-petra-bagust/be-kind-to-your-mind-julia-grace
    WOMAN’S WEEKLY interview and photo spread 

    RADIO NZ Be Kind to Your Mind interview
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018928750/julia-grace-on-how-to-cope-with-wobbly-days

    GOOD MAGAZINE article
    https://goodmagazine.co.nz/author/julia-grace/

    SUNDAY STAR TIMES What I’m Reading feature
    https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/350167811/what-im-reading-julia-grace

    STUFF article
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/wellbeing/350147826/techniques-get-through-lifes-hiccups

    WOMEN’S DAY Half-It Mental Health Series, interview and photo spread

    NEWSTALK ZB - Real Life with John Cowan interview
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSuzh-qOd_8&t=424s

    NEWSTALK ZB - Christmas Day with Peter Wolfkamp

    NEWSTALK ZB - Easter Wtih Tash McGill

    THE NUTTERS CLUB
    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/nutters-club/julia-grace-how-to-be-kind-to-your-mind

    SUNDAY SANCTUARY WITH PETRA BAGUST
    https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-sunday-sanctuary-with-pet-109469988/episode/20-august-stupid-annoying-gratitude-121382618/

    SEVEN SHARP Interview

    4 CHAIRS Mental Wellness TV show, 2 episodes
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pkxk5jGaG8

    PODCAST - Not so Breakfast Show with Ish Cheyne and Sacha 
    https://thenotsobreakfastshow.buzzsprout.com/1426954/8589657-episode-36-the-one-where-we-interview-julia-grace

    PODCAST - Down to Earth Conversations
    https://www.downtoearthconversations.com/podcast/episode/dd1212e0/episode-5-juliagrace-a-continuum-of-mental-wellness

    THRIVE TV - Lauren Parsons guest (release upcoming 2023)

    THE REAL RAW AND RELEVANT SHOW - with Locky McNeill
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1n6AX-XIzo highlights
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxeLWHg392g full show

    RHEMA MEDIA
    Drive show, weekly contributor of mental wellness content
    Star Radio, Happiness Hacks Monthly mental wellness segment
    HotSpots, 1 minute mental wellness segments played 6 times daily for 2 months

    SHINE TV  Mental Health Week 5 interviews on related topics

    96five BRISBANE Radio interviews 

    VISION BRISBANE Radio interviews

    • FACEBOOK - 4600 followers

    • YOUTUBE - MENTAL WELLNESS VIDEO SERIES - 45,000 Views 96,000 Reach

    • INSTAGRAM - 9000 followers

  • COCA-COLA CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK - 3 years performing
    NOISE CONFERENCE - Training Musicians and singers
    EASTERFEST TOOWOOMBA AUS - Performer maintstage 3 years
    PARACHUTE FESTIVAL - 12 Years Singing, Speaking, Mainstage Opening Acts, Various key stages and events
    FESTIVAL ONE 6 Years - Speaker and Performer
    INTERNATIONAL TOURING PARACHUTE BAND 2007/08
    Extensive international touring as support as well as member of the band
    USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Sth Africa
    WORLD VISION NZ - Girls Night Out Events Nationwide tours 2007 - 09
    40+ Events, Singing and Speaking with Allison Mooney and Petra Bagust
    WORLD VISION AUSTRALIA - Girls Night Out Events with Lisa McInnes Smith 
    Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne
    HILLSONG SISTERHOOD SYDNEY - Performer and speaker 
    FESTIVAL ONE HAMILTON (5 years) - Mental Wellness speaker and Performer
    QLD ONE VOICE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE (2 yrs) Speaker and Performer 
    GIRL’S DAY OUT AUCKLAND - Presenter, Speaker and Performer 
    INFLUENCING WOMEN NEW PLYMOUTH - Speaker and performer

    SIGNIFICANCE WOMEN CONFERENCE - Main session Speaker and performer
    REPLENISH CONFERENCE AUCKLAND, CHCH - Speaker and Performer
    WINTERFEST - Wellington performer
    TEARFUND - 80+ events in Nationwide Tours Presenting, Speaking and Singing 
    Beautiful Survivor Tours - with Ex-Sponsored Child Lillian Nakabiri
    God in A Brothel Tours - with Anti-Trafficking Advocate Daniel Walker
    Girl On the Kitchen Floor Tours - Solo and with Local Duo CHEM
    WORLD VISION - 45+ Girls Night Out Events nationwide with Petra Bagust and Ali Mooney
    NZ Comedy Tour - 10 centres with Paul Aldrich USA

    Since tackling the topic of Mental Wellness 3 years ago, Julia has spoken at over 350 events across NZ and Australia

  • PSA INDIA CONFERENCE DELHI - Keynote Speaker
    PSA UK CONFERENCE - Keynote Speaker
    PSA AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE - Keynote Speaker
    ASSOC. INTEGRATED SCHOOLS - National Conference Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    IMAGINE IT EDUCATION CONFERENCE - Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    NZEI RURAL PRINCIPALS CONFERENCE - Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    PRINCIPALS CONFERENCE FIJI - School of Transformation Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    NYLD YOUNG LEADERS TOUR - Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    (Auckand, Hamilton, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Palmerston Nth, Dunedin, Christchurch)
    MHAIDS TE WHATU ORA AWAY DAY - Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    MHAIDS WELLINGTON - Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    FiTEX - National Conference Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    KORDIA - Senior Staff Day Conference Keynote Speaker Mental Health
    BRAVEGIRL CONFERENCE CHCH, GORE- Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    BLOOM CONFERENCE, TAURANGA - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    OASIS WELL WOMEN RETREAT, PICTON - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    CAIRNS BOLD BRAVE AND BEAUTIFUL CONFERENCE - Keynote speaker and performer
    BRISBANE GIRLS NIGHT OUT - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    BRISBANE THE GATHERING - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    SHE HOPES WELLNESS CONFERENCE - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health 
    AUTHENTIC WELLNESS CONFERENCE BLENHEIM - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    IONA SCHOOL HAVELOCK NTH - Keynote Speaker Father/Daughter event Mental Health
    WAIHEKE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    ELIM WOMEN LEADERSHIP QUEENSTOWN - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    GIRLS NIGHT OUT LIFESWITCH - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    WOMEN’S CONFERENCE KAIAPOI - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    MANA WOMEN’S CONFERENCE NELSON - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    WOMEN’S CONFERENCE WHANGANUI - Keynote Speaker on MentalHealth
    WOMEN’S CONFERENCE JOHNSONVILLE - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    REFRESH WOMEN’S CONFERENCE NATIONWIDE - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    POINT OF CHANGE FORUM, CHCH - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    WELLNESS WEEKEND WINTON - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health
    CHURCH UNLIMITED WOMEN AUCKLAND - Keynote Speaker on Mental Health

  • LES MILLS - Senior Franchise Owners Mental Health Workshop
    LES MILLS - Personal Trainers Mental Health Workshop
    WAITEMATA DHB - Senior Nurses Mental HealthWorkshop
    - Mental Health week Staff event
    - Midwives group Mental Wellness workshop
    DRESS FOR SUCCESS - Volunteers Mental Wellness Workshop x2
    AUCKLAND TRANSPORT - staff event
    ARA CHRISTCHURCH - Staff Mental Health Workshop
    VITACO - Staff Mental Health Workshop
    POSITIVE MEDIA MELBOURNE - Staff Mental Wellness Workshop
    CKL ENGINEERING - Staff Mental Wellness Workshop
    NZ TRAVEL BROKERS - Mental Wellness Workshops
    NEW WINE FESTIVALS KAPITI/NORTHLAND - Main session Speaker, workshop
    NETBALL NZ - High Performance Leaders Mental Wellness Session
    STRENGTH 2 STRENGTH EVENT CHCH - Speaker Training
    PLUGGED IN WELLINGTON/PALMERSTON/AK - Speaker and trainer
    SPRINGBOARD TRUST - Social Workers event
    PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT - Staff day
    THE CRATE - Members Event Speaker on Mental Wellness
    OJI SOLUTIONS- Staff Event Speaker on Mental Wellness
    HIPGROUP - Staff Day Event Speaker Mental Wellness

  • KAIPARA KAHUI AKO- Staff Development 
    KINGSWAY KAHUI AKO - Staff Development 
    PUTARURU KAHUI AKO - Staff Development 
    MATAMATA KAHUI AKO - Staff Development 
    KAITIAKI KINDERGARTENS CONFERENCE - Staff Development
    FRANKTON SCHOOL - Teacher Only Day 
    UPPER HARBOUR SCHOOL - Teacher Only Day 
    ST MATTHEWS COLLEGIATE - Student Session Be Kind to Your Mind
    BETHLEHEM PRESCHOOL Conference - Staff Development
    MOUNT ALBERT GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Staff meeting 
    KINGSWAY Senior Staff Development
    SMALL FRIES DAYCARE - Staff Development 
    PUKEKOHE SCHOOL - Teachers Only Day PD, year 12/13 
    KINGSWAY SCHOOL - Professional Development Workshop 
    TRINITY SCHOOLS MASTERTON - Professional Development Workshop 
    HOBSONVILLE POINT PRIMARY SCHOOL - Be Kind to Your Mind workshops Year ⅞
    IONA SCHOOL HAVELOCK NORTH Year 7 / 8 workshop, Healthy friendships

  • NZ AND BEYOND CONFERENCE AUCKLAND - Speaker Mental Wellness
    MENTAL HEALTH AND THE CHURCH CONFERENCE AUCKLAND
    GIRLS DAY OUT CONFERENCE AK     - Speaker
    MINDFOOD Celebrating Women’s Day with Raewyn Henry and Liz Hancock
    HEART FOUNDATION - Go Red For Women Nationwide Breakfast tour 
    Presenting, Speaking and Singing with Dame Jenny Shipley and Dame Susan Devoy 
    HEART FOUNDATION - Comedy Fundraiser 
    WOMENS EVENT PORIRUA - Speaker on Mental Health
    KAWAKAWA BAY - Community Event Speaker on Mental Health
    COMPANY OF WOMEN - MC and presenter
    HOKITIKA FESTIVAL - Speaker and Performer
    HOPE SESSIONS WORLD VISION NZ - Sunday services 2020 - Speaker and Ambassador
    CHOSEN EVENTS WORLD VISION NZ  - Speaker and Ambassador 
    Auckland
    Thames
    Te Kauwhata
    Dunedin
    Clevedon

  • Life Auckland
    Church Unlimited AK
    The Upper Room AK
    Arise Wellington, Christchurch
    The River AK
    Renew WHANGAREI
    Eastside Apostolic HAM
    Northcross AK
    Northcity CHCH
    Gateway HAM
    Hope Centre AK
    Encounter AK
    Encounter Bream Bay NTH
    Orwell St Church - OAMARU
    Te Awa - WAITARA
    Church Northwest - AK
    Massey community church  - AK
    Church@ - INV
    Encounter - AK
    Te Awa - WAITARA
    Chuch Northwest - AK
    Life - TGA
    Nations - DUN
    The River - PUK
    Salvation Army - WELL
    Vineyard​: Urban Ak, Grace Chch, West Ak, Mahurangi, Hope Palmerston Nth
    Elim​; Auckland, Howick, Whangarei, Wellington, Porirua, Timaru, Christchurch, Taupo, Paeroa, Auckland West, Paeroa
    C3​: Sth City CHCH, Taupo, East Auckland AK, Hamilton, North Shore AK, CHCH East
    Baptist Churches​: Papanui, St Albans, Windsor Park, Waihi, Matamata, Waiuku, Kumeu, Rangiora, Titirangi, Whanganui East, Beachlands, Franklin, Putaruru, Levin, New Plymouth, Bethlehem, Young Adults retreat, Whakatane, Invercargill, Waiheke, Kaiapoi, Beachlands, Whanganui Central, Whanganui East