Real strength is being visible, authentic, and true to yourself
Mitch Brown is a former AFL footballer who played 94 games for the West Coast Eagles between 2007 and 2016. In 2025, he made history as the first AFL player, past or present, to publicly come out as bisexual, sparking important conversations about inclusion, visibility, and the culture of men’s sport in Australia.
Since retiring, Mitch has focused on social impact work, particularly in First Nations affairs, and currently works at Yamagigu, a First Nations–owned consulting firm, helping organisations build meaningful partnerships and drive change. He is deeply passionate about positive masculinity, wellbeing, and creating spaces where men feel safe to express vulnerability and authenticity.
A proud father to two young sons, Mitch draws on his own experiences, both on and off the field, to inspire others to lead with empathy, courage, and integrity. Through his story, he demonstrates that strength comes in many forms and that visibility and acceptance can transform lives, teams, and communities.
Mitch speaks widely on leadership, resilience, wellbeing, and the importance of being true to oneself, offering audiences a rare combination of personal insight, professional experience, and heartfelt advocacy for a more inclusive and respectful society.
Talking Points
Positive Masculinity: Redefining Strength
This keynote challenges outdated stereotypes and explores what it truly means to be strong as a man. Mitch shares how vulnerability, empathy, and authenticity can reshape male culture in sport, work, and life.Positive Masculinity: Redefining Strength
Key Takeaways:
- Tools for fostering safe spaces for men to express themselves
- Strategies to promote respectful, inclusive male leadership
- Insights into shifting cultural norms around masculinity
Authentic Leadership: Leading with Integrity
Drawing on his AFL career and personal journey, Mitch shows how authenticity builds trust, drives performance, and creates lasting impact. This session is ideal for teams seeking deeper connection and purpose.Authentic Leadership: Leading with Integrity
Key Takeaways:
- How authenticity strengthens leadership and team culture
- Practical ways to lead with empathy and courage
- Lessons from elite sport on resilience and integrity
Inclusion & LGBTQIA+ Visibility: Creating Safer Cultures
Mitch shares his experience as a bisexual man in elite sport and the power of visibility in driving cultural change. This keynote supports organisations committed to inclusion, allyship, and psychological safety.Inclusion & LGBTQIA+ Visibility: Creating Safer Cultures
Key Takeaways:
- The role of visibility and storytelling in inclusion
- How to be an effective ally in the workplace
- Building environments where everyone feels seen and valued
Resilience & Wellbeing: Thriving Through Change
From injury setbacks to personal transformation, Mitch offers practical insights into navigating adversity and prioritising mental health. This session supports individuals and teams facing transition or pressure.Resilience & Wellbeing: Thriving Through Change
Key Takeaways:
- Strategies for building personal and professional resilience
- Tools for managing change and uncertainty
- Mental wellbeing practices from elite sport
Sport & Social Change: Driving Impact Beyond the Field
Sport is a powerful platform for cultural influence. Mitch explores how athletes and organisations can use their voice to spark conversations and lead change in inclusion, respect, and community engagement.Sport & Social Change: Driving Impact Beyond the Field
Key Takeaways:
- How sport can influence broader social outcomes
- Lessons from advocacy and First Nations partnerships
- Building purpose-driven teams and cultures
Video
Mitch Brown | We Waited 129 Years For This | The Imperfects
Tie up your laces and pull up your socks, this story is ones for the ages. As the first male AFL player in the sport’s 129 year history to come out as bisexual, Mitch, and the public’s reaction to his story, epitomises the importance of visibility, role models and the creation of safe and inclusive environments. Joining us in the studio, Mitch takes us back to the beginning, vulnerably telling Hugh, Ryan and Josh about the hyper-masculine environments which formed (and suppressed) his identity from a young age. Talking through his newfound imposter syndrome, past-mistakes, and journey to finding his true, authentic self, Mitch emphasizes the critical importance of empathy. Confiding with the guys about how monumental, overwhelming and joyful the past few weeks have been, Mitch also acknowledges the deep grief of people in his life who felt like they had let him down.The AFL’s first openly bisexual player (Part 1) | The Daily Aus
In 129 years of the AFL, no male player, past or present, had ever publicly identified as gay or bisexual. That changed with former West Coast Eagles player Mitch BrownThe AFL’s first openly bisexual player (Part 2) | The Daily Aus
Yesterday, we brought you the first part of our exclusive chat with Mitch Brown. In speaking to TDA, Brown became the first player in the AFL's 129 year history to publicly identify as bisexual. On today's chat, we ask Mitch what he expects of the AFL in response to his story, what his family think of his decision to go public, and his advice for the next generation of young boys.
