By Stamatina Notaras
Maih Porfyri had only been in her job for a few months before she was whisked away on a trip to Paris to cover the Paralympic Games as a marketing coordinator. But let’s start from the beginning.
Starting in the fashion world as an enthusiast turned business owner, Maih quickly realised her strengths: marketing, storytelling, and building a brand identity that created meaningful connections with her audience.
Walking away from a business that she had poured blood, sweat, and tears into was no easy feat, but she knew that what lay ahead would be even greater. She pursued a degree in business and communications, which led to her first full-time job as the marketing coordinator to Paralympics Australia.
To Maih, this was more than a job — it was an eye-opening experience that shaped both her career development, and outlook on life.
“My journey at Paralympics Australia has been unexpected yet incredibly rewarding. What started as my first full-time job quickly turned into a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said.
“Being on the ground, capturing the event’s energy, and forming genuine connections with athletes were experiences I’ll never forget. More than anything, it has been a massive confidence boost—seeing my work reach a global audience affirmed what I’m capable of achieving.”
Like baking a cake, stepping into a new role is challenging at first. You have to determine when to add salt here and how long to whisk there, and more often than not, you’re not going to get it right the first time (unless you’re Martha Stewart). But what will take you far is your desire to learn and willingness to just say yes.
“Say yes to opportunities, even if you don’t feel fully ready. Growth happens in the process. When I started this role, I worried I didn’t have all the skills I needed, but no one knows everything from day one. Learning on the job is part of the journey, and being adaptable is key,” she said.
As we all work, eat, sleep, and repeat, it’s easy to forget how big the world is around us and how much our views on it differ.
“Another lesson that stuck with me was how big the world is. Traveling always broadens your perspective, but being at the Paralympics — an event where people from all over the world come together — was something entirely different. There was an energy in the air, a shared sense of purpose and community that made it super special,” Maih explains.
I am a true believer that your inner world shapes your outer world. The more you’re exposed to, the better your ability to empathise with others and understand the world around you — beyond your own experiences.
Maih notes, “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from the athletes is resilience. Their determination to adapt, push forward, and stay focused has helped me through setbacks in my own life. Seeing how others overcome adversity has reshaped my own approach to both work and life. It’s a constant reminder that setbacks aren’t roadblocks—they’re stepping stones to growth, and success often comes from perseverance in the face of challenges.”
Whether your goal is to cook the world’s largest pizza (if so, I’ll be waiting for an invite to the tasting), become a coffee shop barista, or to make it to Hollywood under the bright and shiny lights, always remember to dream big, believe the impossible is possible, and more importantly, engage with and learn from the world around you — I promise it’s not that scary, and what you gain will be well worth the fright, if so.
