FREE TO BE ME

Before you explore

Acknowledgement of Country

Sovereignty was never ceded. No treaty was ever signed. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which this work is made, and that does not become less true with time, legislation or silence.

FREE 2B ME acknowledges Elders past, present and emerging. This body of work exists because systems cause harm when they ask people to become easier to accommodate. No community in this country has been asked to do that more often, or for longer, than First Nations peoples.

We hold that as a matter of practice, not sentiment.

FREE TO BE ME phoenix Tanya HicksFREE 2B ME Enquire

Media & press

For journalists, producers and conference organisers.

The bio, the lines the work is built on, and how to make contact.

Tanya Hicks speaking with a microphone alongside four other panellists seated on stage
Panel · AusMumpreneur Gala Awards, Sydney, September 2026

Media biography

The long version.

Tanya Hicks is the founder of FREE 2B ME, an MC, speaker, author and practitioner.

Her work connects identity, belonging, access and the possibilities people want for their own lives. She hosts conversations, speaks at events, writes books and develops learning and practice with room for different ways of participating.

She is a Specialist Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and a counsellor registered with the Australian Counselling Association at Level 2 (R82053), and a Master of Counselling candidate researching how neurobiology, counselling and positive behaviour support meet in practice. As a late-identified AuDHD woman living with disability and chronic illness, she brings lived experience alongside her practice work. She previously played hockey for Australia Country. She loves MCing because it lets other people have their moment. Her interests include women’s empowerment, LGBTQI+ belonging and helping other people share what they know.

The Nest in Caloundra is operated by Neurodivergent Empowered. She has completed an eight-book FREE 2B ME library, with publication forthcoming. Readers can reserve a copy for A$39, with no payment until launch.

Tanya Hicks smiling, in a white shirt and sparkling tie, against a watercolour background

Short bio

The one for the program.

Tanya Hicks is the founder of FREE 2B ME, an MC, speaker and author, a Specialist Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and a counsellor. Her work connects identity, belonging, access and the possibilities people want for their own lives. She hosts conversations, speaks at events, writes books and develops learning and practice with room for different ways of participating.

Tanya Hicks singing on stage in a silver fringed top, pointing to the audience

The lines the work is built on.

  1. You don’t have to become less of yourself to have more of a life.
  2. What did “fine” cost?
  3. Capacity is conditional. Yesterday is information. It isn’t a contract for today.
  4. Support doesn’t cancel capability.
  5. Does this leave room for me to be me?
  6. What does my practice require the person to become?
  7. Different participation is still participation.
  8. A good question should keep working after the speaker has left the room.
  9. Not permission to be themselves. A world in which they don’t need permission.

For a program or an introduction

The short answer to who is speaking.

  • Specialist Positive Behaviour Support PractitionerPractising, with ongoing supervision in practice governance, clinical integration and sensory and neurobiology.
  • Counsellor, Australian Counselling Association Level 2Membership R82053. Diploma of Counselling, Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.
  • Master of Counselling candidate, 2025 to 2026Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.
  • Gold Medallist, Women Changing the World AwardsLondon 2025, Children’s Education.
  • Gold Stevie Award, Women in BusinessGlobal Female Executive, 2024.
  • Bachelor of Business Management, James Cook UniversityIncluding behavioural and organisational psychology.

The Nest in Caloundra is operated by Neurodivergent Empowered, which holds the NDIS provider registration. Supports are delivered there, not from this site.

Stages, microphones and print

Where this work has already been in the room.

Stages and events

Podcasts and interviews

  • ADHD Mums PodcastSocietal pressure, financial dependency and reading social cues, and what makes people more vulnerable in relationships.Listen
  • ADHD Mums PodcastAn ADHD and Autistic mother on masking, late identification and what authenticity costs.Watch
  • Take a Seat, Little Red NotebookShort conversations with neurodivergent trailblazers. Zero pity, pure wins, zero deficit talk.Watch

Print and features

What she speaks about

Bring a different question into the room.

BelongingIdentityLeadershipCommunityParentingDisabilitySupportWorkProfessional practiceSystems

MCing, event hosting, keynotes, panels, participant workshops, podcasts, media conversations and professional learning.

Speaking and media

Make contact.

For interviews, speaking enquiries, review copies or images, start here and say what you need and when you need it.

Enquire Recognition About Tanya The books

Less fixing. More living.

For your program or media brief.

Use these biographies and the supplied event photograph. Confirm event-specific introductions, image permissions and publication details with Tanya.

Download biographies and contact details (text file)Download speaking photographMedia enquiry