30: Grace Tame (part 1): Running to connect, toothbrush abs and speaking out
Running is a thread that weaves through many aspects of Grace Tame’s life.
In this special two-part episode of Run With It, host Elise Beacom connects the dots with Grace, who’s an advocate, public speaker, writer, artist, runner, and the 2021 Australian of the Year (TW: child sexual abuse, mental health and sexual assault).
Part one traces Grace’s sandy footsteps from the Australian Outback Marathon to the political and emotional terrain of survivor advocacy. Grace shares what it took to set a course record in brutal conditions at her recent marathon near Uluru, and how running has become a metaphor and outlet for life’s bigger battles.
We hear about her role at the Grace Tame Foundation, an organisation championing education, legal reform, and accessible support for survivors of child sexual abuse. Grace also reflects on the complexities of receiving the Australian of the Year award, offering a sharp, honest take on media scrutiny, public expectation and the weight of visibility.
From the connections running creates to our environment and the people around us, to bonds expressed through oil paint with a toothbrush, Grace is full of stories brimming with strength, shared experience and a good whack of humour.
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This episode includes discussions about child sexual abuse, mental health and sexual assault. If any of these topics are distressing for you, please call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au for confidential support and resources.
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Since being announced Australian of the Year in January 2021, Grace Tame has become a household name as a brave and passionate advocate for systemic change to prevent child sexual abuse. She was the first female in Tasmania to be granted the right to speak under her own name about her personal experience of sexual abuse as a child. "Grace appeared as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign (run by sexual assault campaigner and Walkley award winning journalist Nina Funnell). Since then, she has used her voice to raise awareness of the impacts of grooming and the other various injustices faced by child sex abuse survivors.
Before returning to her home of Tasmania in 2020, Grace lived in the USA for almost seven years where she graduated with Associate Degrees with Honours in Liberal Arts and Theatre Arts from Santa Barbara City College. In the USA she worked as a yoga instructor and an artist with clients including actor John Cleese and musician Martin Gore.
Grace is an excellent runner who has won several marathons and ultras, including the Great Ocean Road Ultra Marathon, the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon and the Australian Outback Marathon.
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This episode is sponsored by Mikro Coffee Roasters. Head to Mikro.coffee and use code RUNWITHIT10 for 10% off.
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Follow us on Instagram:
@tamepunk
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@elisebeacom
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Visit the Grace Tame Foundation for more information on Grace’s advocacy work
See Mostafa “Moz” Azimitabar’s painting of Grace for this year’s Archibald Prize
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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom
Graphic design by Kate Scheer
New Zealand