I don't teach leaders how to lead. I teach them how to lead themselves.
Leadership isn't just about how you lead other people. It's about how you lead yourself when life becomes difficult. Under pressure, even great leaders default to patterns they don't realise are shaping their behaviour. Stress replaces presence.
Self-protection replaces connection. Reaction replaces intention. That's why Lachie Samuel created Lead Yourself First.
A keynote that blends neuroscience, practical tools and lived experience to help leaders understand what's really happening beneath their behaviour—and how to change it.
Lachie built his career working alongside some of Australia's largest mining companies, supporting leaders and teams operating in high-pressure environments.
But his greatest lessons came from rebuilding his own life.
After surviving childhood trauma, addiction, multiple strokes, seizures and brain bleeds, Lachie lost his vision, memory, speech and ability to walk. At one point, he didn't even recognise his own family.
Recovery taught him something leadership never had.
Before we can lead others well, we have to learn to lead ourselves.
Today, Lachie helps leaders understand the self-protection patterns that quietly shape how they think, communicate and make decisions—so they can create safety instead of stress for the people they lead and love.
His sessions aren't motivational.
They're practical.
They're relatable.
And they give leaders tools they can begin using before they leave the room.
In this keynote, leaders will learn how to:
Stay calm under pressure and make better decisions.
Recognise the self-protection patterns shaping their leadership.
Take ownership of what they feel, think and do.
Create safety instead of stress—for themselves and the people around them.
Lead with greater presence, clarity and connection.
If your leaders are carrying pressure, they're already influencing the people around them.
Lead Yourself First gives them the awareness and practical tools to change that.
Talking Points
Lead Yourself First — Leaders
Leadership starts long before we lead other people.Lead Yourself First — Leaders
It starts with how we lead ourselves.
Lead Yourself First is a neuroscience-based keynote that helps leaders understand how stress and self-protection quietly influence the way they think, communicate and make decisions.
Blending neuroscience, practical tools and lived experience, Lachie gives leaders practical tools they can immediately apply to lead with greater clarity, presence and intention.
Leaders will learn how to:
Stay calm under pressure and respond instead of react.
Recognise the patterns driving their behaviour.
Take ownership of what they feel, think and do.
Build trust through greater self-awareness.
Create safety instead of stress—for themselves and the people they lead.
Lead Yourself First — Teams
Strong cultures don't happen by accident.Lead Yourself First — Teams
They're built by people who know how to lead themselves.
This keynote helps teams understand how stress shapes behaviour, communication and relationships—and gives them practical tools to take ownership of what they feel, think and do.
When individuals learn to lead themselves first, communication improves, trust grows and healthier cultures naturally follow.
Teams will learn how to:
Recognise and regulate stress in real time.
Understand the patterns influencing their behaviour.
Communicate with greater clarity and ownership.
Build stronger relationships through self-awareness.
Create safety instead of stress—for themselves and their teammates.
Video
Lachie Samuel Mariu — The Self-Leadership Guy | Saxton Speakers
Truly one of the best presentations we have had at Drillsafe. You could hear a pin drop. Absolutely unreal! ... keep reading Drillsafe
Lachie is a phenomenal human. His passion helps to inspire so many people.
I loved the approach and have to say it was one of the best mental wellbeing workshops, actually one of the best workshops I've had on site so far. I really appreciate you sharing your story with us Lachie.
Lachie Samuel was engaged for our recent regional Safety and Health representatives forum, held in Perth. Lachie delivered a highly relevant and engaging seminar on mental health and ‘breaking the stress circuit’ that was both highly relevant and very well received by the audience. The Safety and Health Representatives reported thoroughly enjoying the seminar and gaining valuable insights to take back to their teams, as a person with lived experience of being a FIFO and resources sector work, Lachie was able to communicate and engage with the audience on a personal level, leaving a lasting impact.
In September 2022 we held the GTM/Para Peer Support Forum here in Tom Price. As the Peer Support Coordinator across GTM, I was hopeful to deliver an impactful and meaningful session to raise awareness, show support and educate our peer supporters across the divisions. We were lucky enough to secure Lachie to present during the day, which without a doubt was a raging success. Engaging Lachie was seamless, his accuracy and communication was notable. The session Lachie delivered was beyond our expectations, the response from the personnel within the room was profound with a number of individuals addressing myself post forum to express their gratitude they were able to listen to Lachie’s story and messages around mental health in the mining industry. As per the new legislation showcasing a focus around psychosocial hazards/risk I believe it is more imperative than ever that we bring an ongoing spotlight to the wellbeing and mental health of our personnel. Lachie’s first hand experiences, genuine care and courage to share his story supports our values of care, curiosity and courage. I would not hesitate to engage Lachie ongoing to bring his messages and assist us in continuing to show our dedication to supporting a mentally healthy workplace.
I had the pleasure of engaging Lachie to present his ‘Breaking the Stress Circuit’ session at a West Pilbara Peer Support Forum followed by another session with our Paraburdoo Operations Teams at Eastern Ranges. To state that Lachie is brave does not do the man justice. He lays out the traumatic events of his childhood with brutal honesty and takes you on his journey where those experiences manifest themselves in the choices he made as a man. As are raw and confronting as the sessions are they are ultimately insightful and informative as Lachie delves into how the brain functions, particularly in relation to trauma and stress. He also provides practical tools that harness the body to control the mind and, as per the session’ title, ‘break the stress circuit’. As an advocate of facing your demons, taking ownership of your mistakes and emerging a better human being Lachie shines a light for us all to follow.
Lachie's delivery was first class. It was confronting and real. The ability to not only bring people into the discussion but provide tools to help with peoples own individual struggles was very unique. The end of our session with Lachie with a day of presentations/presenters it was a clear winner. Get Lachie into your teams and workplaces. He will not disappoint.
Truly one of the best presentations we have had at Drillsafe. You could hear a pin drop. Absolutely unreal!
Setting all of our MC trainee drivers up for a successful career. Nothing but great feedback from all who had the opportunity to attend.
Lachie’s advocacy for mental health is truly admirable. His unique ability to break down barriers instantly, in a way that resonates with his audience, is a craft in its own. To develop trust quickly, keep people engaged and inspire action, is a remarkable talent.
Thank you so much Lachie for opening up and sharing your story with us at Baker Hughes. It was incredibly touching and even brought me to tears. The best R U OK Day session I’ve ever attended for sure. Thank you so much.
Truly one of the best presentations we have had at Drillsafe. You could hear a pin drop. Absolutely unreal.
His delivery was first class. The ability to not only bring people into the discussion, but provide tools to help with people’s own individual struggles was very unique.
