Britt is an accomplished Australian surfer, health advocate, and occupational therapist from the Far North Coast of NSW. She has a zest for life, a vibrant personality, and there’s a warmth about her that people gravitate towards. She’s a glass-half-full type of person, with everything she does. Britt’s journey has been defined by resilience - diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of seven, she has faced and overcome challenges most people could never imagine, all while pursuing her dreams in and out of the water. Crohn’s disease is a lifelong inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulceration within the gastrointestinal tract. Learn more about IBD - click here.

From Local Grommet To The World Stage
Britt loves sports and took to surfing around the age of twelve. Britt was determined to follow a path in professional surfing, despite ongoing health battles. Some of Britt’s competitive surfing career highlights include various Pro Junior results, three consecutive NSW State Titles, an Australian Title, a World Surf League (WSL) world ranking of 24, Team Australia representation in the ISA World Surfing Games (2016 and 2017), and selection as Australian Team Captain (2017).

The Long-Term Rival That Changed Everything
After a very long and complex health journey (including the requirement of three ileostomies on separate occasions), Britt now has a permanent colostomy. While persistent health obstacles eventually forced her to step away from competitive surfing as an athlete, she still enjoys free surfing and has since worked in the surfing industry in numerous roles including as a Sport Commentator; Administrator; Community, Participation, and Education Coordinator; High Performance Camps and Competition Coordinator; State and National Team Manager; High Performance Surf Coach; and Head Coach for the Irukandjis Australian Para Surfing Team at the 2022 ISA World Para Surfing Championships in California.

Turning Pain Into Purpose
Britt has been a volunteer Ambassador for Crohn’s and Colitis Australia for 15 years. Additionally, she was recognised as the Northern Rivers Adult Volunteer of the Year in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2020. Britt hopes to raise more awareness about IBD and has openly shared her journey in the media, at youth camps, luncheons, corporate events, and Parliament House ACT. She has become a genuine mentor not only for kids, teens, adults, and other athletes…but also for other people living with an ostomy, IBD, or health condition.

A New Calling: Occupational Therapy
Off the back of an unpleasant personal experience with an Occupational Therapist after major surgery in 2020, Britt opted for a career transition and studied a Bachelor of Health Science / Master of Occupational Therapy. Her lived experience with a chronic health condition has contributed to her ability to be compassionate, empathetic, listen, and advocate for client/patient autonomy and support needs. As an Occupational Therapist, Britt wishes to support other people to overcome obstacles and live meaningfully.

Learn more about Britt in the July 2022 issue of Allied Magazine - click here.