If there’s a fine line between success and failure, just keep moving the line.
Mick Colliss is widely regarded as Australia's most entertaining after-dinner speaker/comedic storyteller, with the rare ability to deliver serious messages while making people laugh.
As a young kid growing up, Mick's dream is to play for Australia. He tries a number of different sports, until eventually realising desire is no substitute for ability.
But when the washed-up sportsman discovers there is no Australian team at the World Sudoku Championships, he does what any 42-year-old with unfulfilled dreams of international glory would do – applies to the World Puzzle Federation, becomes the national team selector, then picks himself and three mates from his local rugby club in the first ever Australian sudoku team – despite none of them knowing how to play.
Bursting with pride, he and his mates deck themselves out in a national team uniform and travel to India to compete for their country, with hilarious results.
Mick’s is a laugh-out-loud true story about chasing your dreams, never fearing failure, staying positive, finding a way, overcoming obstacles, setting goals, determination, mateship, celebrating mediocrity, and never giving up.
He is the quintessential Australian larrikin and has spoken at conferences, dinners and events nationally and internationally throughout Asia, New Zealand, London, Vancouver and at sold out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024. His story is clever, funny, highly relatable and clean, making it suitable for all audiences. There is simply nothing else like it.
Already the subject of a book (Full-Contact Sudoku, HarperCollins/ABC Books) and a documentary (Colours by Numbers: The Sudokumentary ), Mick’s unique story is now being prepared for the big screen, with a feature film script already written and a director attached. Production is slated to begin in 2027.
Apart from speaking, Mick is an author, broadcaster and sports commentator. He is also a modern day poet, and was appointed Rugby Australia's poet laureate for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2025, telling the story of the Test series in verse at official lunches in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Talking Points
Chasing Impossible Dreams
What happens when you’ve had the same dream since you were a kid – but absolutely none of the talent required to achieve it? Mick Colliss shares the hilarious true story of how a lifelong dream of playing for Australia eventually led him to the World Sudoku Championships in India. A funny and surprisingly inspiring true story about ambition, goal-setting, persistence and finding a way to make the impossible possible.
Chasing Impossible Dreams
Failing Forward
Failure gets a bad rap. Mick Colliss reckons it can be one of the most useful things that happens to you. After failing to make an Australian sporting team in just about every sport he tried, Mick eventually found a sport where he could represent his country – despite not knowing how to play it. A laugh-out-loud story about embracing failure, learning from setbacks, taking risks and having the courage to give things a go.
Failing Forward
FInding a Way
When the obvious path is closed, what do you do? Mick Colliss has always believed there’s usually another way. His extraordinary journey from failed sportsman to Australian representative is a hilarious lesson in problem-solving, creativity, persistence and thinking differently. Sometimes the answer isn't to change the goal – it's to find another way to get there.
FInding a Way
The Power of Positivity
Mick's story is a celebration of optimism, even when things don't go according to plan. From sporting disappointment to an unlikely appearance at the World Sudoku Championships, he discovers that a positive attitude can change the way you approach obstacles, setbacks and opportunities. Funny, relatable and packed with practical lessons about staying positive when things get difficult.
The Power of Positivity
You Don't Have to be the Best
Mick Colliss has represented Australia at sport. He has also represented Australia at a sport he couldn't actually play. His story is a funny reminder that success isn't always about being the best person in the room. Sometimes it's about showing up, having a crack, surrounding yourself with good people and being prepared to have a go. A celebration of effort, mateship, resilience and – perhaps most importantly – mediocrity.
You Don't Have to be the Best
One Team, One Dream
Mick didn't make it to the World Sudoku Championships alone. He took three mates from his local rugby club – none of whom knew how to play sudoku either. Their unlikely adventure is a hilarious story about teamwork, mateship, shared goals and the importance of having people around you who are prepared to jump into the unknown with you. Because sometimes the people beside you matter as much as the goal you're chasing.
One Team, One Dream
Have a Go
Mick Colliss has built a career – and an international sporting career – on one simple philosophy: have a go. His decision to create Australia's first sudoku team was ridiculous, ambitious and, technically, completely unnecessary. It was also one of the best things he ever did. This entertaining keynote encourages audiences to stop waiting until they're ready, back themselves, embrace the ridiculous and have a go at the things they've always wanted to do.
Have a Go
MC, Event Host & Facilitator
An entertaining, welcoming and versatile emcee, Mick Colliss has hosted Breakfast Radio, awards nights, breakfasts and conferences, as well as numerous functions for a range of organisations in Australia and overseas. These include Brownes Dairy, Extract Resources, Cystic Fibrosis WA, the Australian Rugby Union, Infinity Wealth, ARCIA, Legacy, Rugby WA, T14 events and many more.MC, Event Host & Facilitator
He has also developed a reputation for being one of Australia's premier Q&A specialists, and has toured Australia interviewing a range of athletes including 3 x NBA Champion Luc Longley; as well as All Black legends Richie McCaw and Dan Carter; and the four rugby world cup-winning captains in John Eales, Martin Johnson, John Smit and McCaw. He has also interviewed Olympians Peter Bol and Ryan Pini; Wallabies including Phil Kearns, Quade Cooper, David Pocock and Nick Cummins; former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine; international rugby coaches Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika; Paralympian Ben Popham, swimming coach Dean Boxall, Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus, and numerous others.
Athlete interviews can be tailored to your business needs, with the one-on-one setting giving staff an intimate look into the lives of athletes while providing important messages that can be taken away and applied to the business environment.
Video
Mick Colliss | Blood, Sweat and Beers | Saxton Speakers
Mick Colliss was just what we needed, when we needed it. His performance was 110% and he just made the room come to life. Off the stage, he was professional, and just a lovely, lovely man. W ... keep reading NT Government
Mick Colliss' presentation had the right mix of humour and optimism that hit the spot with our audience. Our organisation has experienced a number of challenges in recent months and Mick's story provided a unique and thoughtful perspective on overcoming failure and persevering to achieve one's goals.
Mick Colliss was so incredibly entertaining! He had the whole room in tears of laughter, and his delivery was flawless. He was a pleasure to deal with, and we'd gladly have him back! He emcee'd the night wonderfully, and so many people have told me he's the best they've seen.
Mick Colliss was simply fantastic! For our end of day keynote we were looking for someone to help the audience unwind after a long, intense, content heavy day. And Mick did just this - he had the whole room in fits of laughter from start to finish. Mick was the talk of the cocktail party that followed his session and, without being asked, happily stuck around to talk to our guests for well over an hour. He is a truly lovely man and great storyteller - I would not hesitate in recommending Mick.
Mick Colliss had the room in stitches, people were actually crying with laughter which is an awesome thing to behold and no mean feat in a room of sales people. Our delegates were just mesmerised by his story and the way he delivered it, with everyone demanding to know where we found him. Thanks Mick.
Mick's timing was perfection! He grabbed the audience's attention from the start and then engaged them completely with his story. His story is both humorous and entertaining to listen to, as well as something everyone can identify and empathises with. Mick was the perfect Speaker at the end of our Corporate Golf event. I would highly recommend Mick to other groups.
