When life doesn't go to plan, and why that's ok
Real stories. Real challenges. Real-life lessons.
Growing up isn't always easy. There's pressure to succeed, fit in, make the right choices and somehow have your future figured out before you've even finished school.
Through honest storytelling, humour and practical lessons, I help young people build confidence, navigate setbacks and recognise that getting things wrong doesn't mean they've failed.
Because you don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to be willing to keep figuring it out.
Growing up isn't always straightforward.
Let's be fair, being a teenager comes with its fair share of challenges.
Friendships, exams, social media, expectations, comparison, uncertainty about the future and the fear of getting things wrong can make life feel pretty overwhelming.
I remember what it was like to have big plans for my future, only to discover that life had a few other ideas!
What I've learned is that resilience isn't about never failing, always being confident or having all the answers, it's about learning from setbacks, asking for help, recognising your strengths and understanding that one difficult moment doesn't define your future.
Lessons that go beyond the classroom.
Having spoken with students across different year levels and schools throughout New Zealand and Australia, I know that no two groups are quite the same.
My presentations and workshops explore themes including:
Resilience and navigating setbacks
Confidence, self-belief and comparison
Fear of failure and getting things wrong
Change, uncertainty and future pathways
Perspective, empathy and personal responsibility
Goal setting, expectations and reality
Leadership, identity and recognising your strengths
I tailor my sessions to suit the age group, school environment and challenges your students are facing.
More than just a talk at their assembly.
I'm not interested in standing in front of students, telling them to believe in themselves and expecting that to magically solve everything, I want them to leave with something they can actually use.
Through real-life experiences, relatable examples and a few laughs along the way, I encourage students to think differently about challenges, recognise what they can control and understand that mistakes and setbacks are part of learning.
From school assemblies and leadership presentations to interactive resilience workshops and smaller group sessions, my goal is to create conversations that continue long after I've left the classroom.
Your circumstances don't define you. Your mistakes don't define you. What matters is what you choose to do next.
Korrin's story was engaging and inspirational.
Our boys were focused and interested as she described the challenges she has had to face and the resilience needed to remain positive and how to navigate the hand she was dealt. It was a real privilege to have Korrin visit us and help our students start to understand how to cope with change and challenges whether they be big or small that we are presented with in everyday life.
- Glen Petersen, Director of Sport and PE/Health - Lindisfarne College
Korrin connected with our students and captured their attention as she shared her story.
Havelock North Intermediate had the great pleasure of hosting Korrin Barrett at our school assembly earlier this year. Sharing her journey of resilience and perseverance when faced with such adversity was inspiring to us all. Korrin was able to connect with our students, capturing their attention and carrying them along with her as she shared her story. I strongly encourage any school considering ways to engage students in conversations about Hauora and well-being to contact Korrin.
- Carla Ellmore, Te Kanawa Learning Teacher - Havelock North Intermediate
We would highly recommend Korrin as a speaker for both students and adults alike.
It is so important for our young people to see examples of resilience and Korrin's positivity and enthusiasm for life, despite what she has been dealt, was infectious. We would highly recommend Korrin as a speaker for both students and adults alike.
- Genevieve Leech, Year 11 Dean - Christchurch Girls' High School, NZ
Role modelling of gratitude, hope and humour
"Korrin presented a real, courageous attitude that embraces opportunity and life. This role modelling of gratitude, hope and humour has left a very positive impact on all who attended".
- Ms Catherine Allen - Deputy Principal Students, St Rita's College, QLD
Korrin left a significant and lasting impact upon our student body.
Korrin delivered a heartfelt, polished and professional presentation to our students. Korrin took care in consultation with the college to align her presentation with our current focus and vision. These factors ensured that the delivery was targeted with a significant and lasting impact upon our student body.
- Jason Reid, Principal - Mackenzie College, NZ
Let's give your students something to think about.
Whether you're planning a school assembly, leadership day, wellbeing programme or resilience workshop, I'd love to hear what you've got in mind.
Let's give your students a fresh perspective, some practical tools and a reminder that they don't need to have everything figured out just yet.
