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Ruth Clare
Author, Inspirational Speaker, Personal Development, Social Issues
Ruth Clare is the author of the award-winning memoir, ENEMY (Penguin, 2016), a three-time TEDx speaker and lived experience mental health coach. In addition to writing for publications such as The Age, Elle, Meanjin and The Good Weekend, Ruth is working on a memoir based on her late life diagnosis with ADHD. Ruth explores serious topics related to mental health, resilience, courage, identity and authenticity using humour and a knack for entertaining developed during her years as a professional actor.
She shares stories of hiding the trauma of her childhood, pretending everything was okay while she struggled alone with anxiety, perfectionism, shame and never feeling good enough, and how she finally got brave enough to share her experience with others. Weaving in polyvagal, mindfulness and breathing exercises, alongside cognitive approaches, Ruth simplifies complex ideas learnt on her own recovery journey and mental health studies, to deliver genuine insights and practical tools participants can immediately use in their own lives.
Ruth’s talks deliver a transformative experience for audiences, showing them how to stop being so hard on themselves and live with more calm awareness, self-compassion, optimism and confidence.
Topics:
• Mental Health
• Resilience and overcoming adversity
• Neurodivergence and Identity
• Owning your stories and rewriting your life
What other jobs have you had?
Once I finished my biochemistry degree I worked in a lab for a couple of days, but had a panic attack at the thought of wearing a white coat forever, so decided to be an actor, as you do. I appeared on Neighbours, Blue Heelers, in lots of short films, plays and tons of commercials. Because I was an actor I was also a waitress (not the good kind, the nasty kind that can ruin your night) and an office temp. In 2004 I became a copywriter/marketing manager of a graphic design business, which I run with my husband (Mono Design). I am much nicer now.
What themes are recurring in your work?
My work explores our lost connection to our animal selves and the science behind our emotions and trauma responses. It delves into the nature of resilience, courage, shame, perfectionism and why our worst qualities are flip sides of our best. It also explores the secret lives we all live, our struggle to claim our identities while still fitting in and the agony and ecstasy of letting yourself be seen.
What have been the highlights of your career?
The bidding war over my book was pretty darned satisfying, but the ongoing highlight is the opportunities I have to talk to people about the things that really matter.
Where have your works been published?
My book was published by Penguin and my writing has appeared in The Age, Good Weekend Magazine, Elle Magazine and Good Reading Magazine. I have been reviewed in The Australian, Better Reading and Books + Publishing and been interviewed on Conversations with Richard Fidler, Life Matters, Jon Faine’s Conversation Hour plus many more.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about reducing stigma around mental health and letting people know that they are not alone in their struggles. I want to share what I have learnt in studies and my own recovery journey so others can find hope and meaning in their lives no matter what they have been through.
Haven’t I seen you before?
I was on Neighbours for a few months and did lots of commercials over the years, so it is possible. Or maybe I was your waitress fifteen years ago. I was sometimes rude enough to be memorable. If that was it, sorry!
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I can do a really loud whistle. Seriously, it will hurt your ears.
Testimonials
Your presentation was both inspirational and much aligned with our school’s values i.e. follow your passion and don’t give up! I have never seen our VCE cohort so engaged.
I am thrilled to share my heartfelt testimonial about Ruth Clare’s keynote speech at the UnitingCare Queensland event. Her ability to touch the depths of lived experiences and deliver a truly heartwarming and engaging presentation was absolutely remarkable.
Ruth’s passion and authenticity radiated throughout the room. She effortlessly connected with the audience, creating an atmosphere that encouraged openness and vulnerability. It was evident that Ruth’s own personal journey resonated deeply with everyone present, as she shared her story with utmost honesty and integrity.
Ruth’s keynote speech was a powerful blend of storytelling, profound insights, and practical wisdom. Through her
captivating narrative, she painted a vivid picture of the challenges she had faced and the triumphs she had achieved. Her ability to translate those experiences into valuable life lessons was awe-inspiring, leaving a lasting impact on every individual in the room.
Ruth’s keynote speech at the UnitingCare Queensland event was an unforgettable experience that has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on our organisation and its members.
The response from your speech has been astounding. So many emails, calls and conversations already… the most important grand round of the year. Many, many thanks.
Ruth Clare’s Creating Compelling Writing workshop was an honour to host. Ruth’s generous, kind-hearted, lively and down-to-earth approach to writing eased first time work-shoppers into the basics of writing, while giving more experienced writers a greater understanding of what they needed to make their writing leap off the page. Participants particularly enjoyed Ruth’s take on point of view, how to be an authentic writer, and ways to structure story. All left feeling more enthusiastic about writing and pursuing a creatively authentic life…key ingredients for creating compelling writing.
Ruth is an engaging and wonderful speaker. We were on a panel together and I’m reading her book at the moment. She knows how to tell a story – in a book and onstage.
Ruth is a highly intelligent writer and speaker. She is also very entertaining and had the audience engaged and excited the entire time. She is a versatile speaker too and addressed in a thoughtful manner such sensitive topics as PTSD, child abuse and issues around Australian participation in Vietnam war. She also spoke with a lot of wisdom about the ethics of memoir writing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Ruth and could have done it for much longer than just an hour.
Ruth recently conducted her 2 hour workshop, Creating Compelling Writing, as part of Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s Booklover’s Festival. Her session was very inspiring and thought-provoking and the feedback we had from the more than twenty participants was fantastic. She definitely has some new fans!
Ruth Clare is a passionate and engaging speaker who is at home on stage presenting to, and engaging with, an audience. A willingness to allow herself to be vulnerable in front of a crowd creates a magnetic atmosphere which keeps people transfixed and, most importantly, wanting more. She is eloquent, dynamic, honest and graceful.