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Hello, I’m human

My name is Ness and my pronouns are he/him. I’m not one thing, I don’t fit in a box, I’m human. For me, ‘Human’ is as much a statement as it is a reminder of shared experience, falability and individualility. We are each human.

Work-in-progress, much journeyed and ever journeying. I’m a dual national: proudly Australian and a grateful settler on unceded Coast Salish territories (Canada). I come with intersecting marginalised identities (queer, trans, disabled) that have long forced me to push against power, privilege and prejudice. I work for the day when authentic representation and inclusion no longer means challenging the status quo.

Consultant, counsellor and public speaker, I work at the intersections of social justice, inclusion and mental health. My passion comes from connections and lived experience, understanding the critical need to remove systemic barriers and harmful cultures at all levels and in collaboration. My approach is human-centered. As a consultant I support organisations in their authentic inclusion journeys focussing on organisational culture, brand identity and marketing communication providing inclusive assessments, strategies and education. As a counsellor I bring mental health practices into every space and I also have a private practice for dedicated personal sessions. 

My background and expertise is diverse including anatomy and physiology, applied psychology, business management, education and pedagogy, inclusive design, industrial design, marketing and organisational strategy. This long list is the product of both passion and systemic discrimination. Committed to continued growth, I proudly consider myself a work-in-progress and continue to seek knowledge, learning and understanding ongoing.

I’m a visual thinker and a lover of puzzles. My workspace is full of 3D puzzles and art. The wall in front of me is home to iconic architecture and abstract geometric themed art. My desk is home to several hand-crank kit-build wooden marble runs. My first degree was in Industrial design, which is like a mix of product design engineering and visual communications. I was the youngest student and first blind student accepted into the National School of Design in Australia and I graduated valedictorian. I then believed, and still do, in the power of perspective and relativity, “just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I don’t have vision”. We all deserve to thrive.

I was born with a rare congenital condition affecting my vision which lead to blindness. I have represented three countries in three para sports: Australia, Japan and Canada; in Goalball, Powerlifting and ParaAthletics. Competing internationally since 2005, I hold world records as well as world, continental, and national titles. In 2012 I talent transferred into ParaAthletics. I have represented Team Canada since 2015 including at my first Paralympics, the Rio2016 Paralympic Games.

In 2020 I came out publicly as transgender and became the first openly trans Paralympian. In 2021 I began medically transitioning and in 2022 I made history as the the first openly trans man to compete in the men’s division and be included in the world rankings. I am currently the only openly trans man in competition. I compete for Canada in ParaAthletics in the F11/T11 classification for athletes with the least functional vision. During 2023, my second season in the men’s division, I added to my distance and climbed the world rankings. As a visible trans athlete I am committed to holding space in the sports world for trans athletes to compete as their authentic self.

To connect with me use the contact Ness form or send me an email at ness@nessmurby.com 

Human. he/him pronouns. Dad. Gran’s kid always and Pop’s ‘Tiger’ forever. Proudly Australian, Mixed race and white-presenting. Much journeyed and ever journeying. Grateful to live on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish People (Canada). Queer. Trans. Blind. Social justice and inclusion strategist and counsellor. Competing Paralympian. Lover of puzzles, connection and culture. Still reads bedtime stories. Human

NESS MURBY