Oprah in Melbourne: The Quiet Power of Intention, Inner Knowing & Living Like You’re Worth It

Last Thursday, Oprah Winfrey visited Melbourne — and I’ve been mulling over her insights ever since.

Can you believe that at 71 years of age, Oprah was trekking around Australia and planning her speaking schedule around the best hikes? That alone felt like a message. Vitality doesn’t come from slowing down — it comes from alignment.

What stayed with me most was Oprah’s reminder of the power of intention. Not the fluffy kind. The real kind. Being really, really clear about the underlying drivers of our decisions and actions. Her life, she said, has always been guided by service — helping people live more meaningful, peaceful lives. When you focus on being a force for good, things have a way of working out. Sometimes in Oprah-level ways.

Oprah in Australia

Intention Comes Before Action (And Determines the Outcome)

Oprah shared something that landed deeply:
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction — but before action, there is intention. And intention determines the outcome.

Inside everyone is a still, small voice. The challenge is learning how to drown out the noise enough to actually hear it.

She spoke about how we often outsource our knowing — constantly asking others what we should do — but you can’t hear your own voice if you’re always asking out.

I agree with this… to a point.

Sometimes, hearing the opposite perspective can actually clarify your truth. For example, if you ask someone with values rooted in security and stability whether you should buy a house or travel the world for five years, they’ll likely steer you toward property. But as they explain why — the areas to buy, the logic — your body might whisper, “No… this isn’t it. There’s another path.”

That contrast can be freeing. Like, WOW — I need to get on a plane.

Oprah used a perfect metaphor:
When you try on a pair of shoes that fit perfectly, you don’t ask anyone else if you should buy them. The moment you start the chatter, put the shoes down. The right ones will come — if you let them.

Be still. Peel back the layers.

Ready to align your intentions with action?

Do You See Me? Do You Hear Me? Does What I Say Matter?

At the core of everything, Oprah said, we are all asking the same thing:
Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say matter to you?

She shared a story from earlier in her life, when she crossed paths with Camille Cosby. Both owned private jets, but Oprah was new to it and felt she had to “fill the plane” — crew, guests, everyone — to make it worth it.

Camille casually mentioned she was flying alone to a private island to work on her PhD. Oprah was shocked.

“It’s, just you?” Oprah asked.
Camille replied, “I think I’m worth it.”

Something clicked for Oprah that day.

Now, while most of us don’t have private jets, we do get to choose how we fly — metaphorically.

Maybe that looks like ordering the most nourishing or fancy thing on the menu even if it costs more. Maybe it’s an Uber Black, hiring a cleaner, a sitter, or an assistant to buy back time and energy. Maybe it’s a cold face mask in the fridge, a glass of wine, and an early night. Or a Saturday morning Zumba class.

What makes you feel like you’re flying private?

Spiritual partnerships

Oprah spoke about spiritual partnership, defining it as a relationship where each person wants the growth and development of the other as much as they want it for themselves. That really stayed with me. A spiritual partnership isn’t about holding on, staying the same, or playing small to keep the peace — it’s about expansion, evolution, and deep respect.

Oprah referenced Megan and Paul Castran from Toorak, Melbourne, describing them as one of the most beautiful examples of a spiritual partnership she has witnessed — a relationship grounded in mutual growth, shared values, and reverence for one another’s journey. It made me reflect on how powerful it is to be in relationships where your growth is not just allowed, but encouraged — where love deepens as each person becomes more fully themselves. From a life coaching perspective, this is the foundation of conscious relationships: alignment, emotional safety, and a shared commitment to personal growth.

Oprah Winfrey, and moderator Melissa Doyle- Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre December 2025

When Life Feels Like Autopilot (And How to Break Free)

One of the most powerful things Oprah spoke about was getting to a point in life where you are in awe of it.

Because sometimes months — even years — pass without significant change. No risk. No uncertainty. The years roll on, you’re not behind the wheel, yet you’re #1 in the rat race.

And the only thing worse than realising this… is realising it and being paralysed by it.

So many of us live as though this is a practice life.
I’ll travel later.
I’ll take the risk once the kids are older.
I’ll wait until retirement.

But what if, instead of asking “What if it doesn’t work out?”
you played with the question:
“What if it all works out?”

Notice how that feels in your body. More expansive. More exciting. More alive.

Oprah at Joyful Pilates in Armadale Victoria Australia

Your One Job: Become the Highest Expression of You

Oprah said our singular responsibility in this life is to become the truest, highest expression of ourselves.

Whatever part of you is yearning to rise — keep an open dialogue with it.

We are the seekers who eventually become the light keepers.

Be values-driven. Hold discernment. Know the difference between right and wrong. And when negative things show up, don’t let them take root.

Decision-making is hard because often we don’t know what we don’t know. But that small still voice? It will always tell you when it’s time to move on.

Oprah said she was guided by one question throughout her career:
Am I still growing?
If the answer was no — it was time for the next thing.

Life experience builds strength. Strength builds resilience.

As Dr Maya Angelou once told her:

“I wouldn’t take nothing for the journey I’ve been on.”

Listening Before the Whisper Becomes a Crisis

Oprah spoke about the whispers — the quiet “hmm?” when something is off.

Ignore the message and it becomes a problem.
Ignore the problem and it becomes a crisis.

She shared a story about hearing that hmm when a friend’s husband answered a suspicious phone call and insisted “no one was there.” The whisper got louder. The signs were there.

One of Oprah’s biggest learnings?
Trust your vision sooner. She had a disease to please for a long time — and it delayed her alignment.

The more connected you are to your inner voice, the more connected you are to yourself. And the more connected you are to yourself, the more aligned you are to your path.

Aging, Strength & Choosing the Sunshine Hike

Oprah spoke openly about aging — honour the number you’ve earned. Many didn’t make it this far.

She said she feels stronger in her 70s than in her 30s — wiser, clearer, and able to say no sooner.

Even when hiking Mt Kosciuszko was suggested with “maybe windy, maybe cold, but doable” — she listened to her inner knowing:
I’m a sunshine hike girl. I don’t need to “just make it”.

That’s wisdom.

Final Reflection from Life Coach Jilly

We all have the power to do great things, spread love, and be present in our lives.

Listen to the whispers.
Choose how you fly.
Stop waiting for the “right time.”

And ask yourself, gently but honestly:
What part of me is asking to be expressed more fully right now?

Ready to Listen to Your Own Inner Voice?

If this reflection stirred something in you — a nudge, a knowing, or even a quiet hmm — that’s not accidental.

As a life coach, I help people quiet the noise, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and make aligned decisions they trust.

Book a 1:1 clarity session with me if you’re ready to stop living on autopilot.

Your next chapter doesn’t need to be louder — just truer.

Oprah’s recommendations:
- Seat of the soul - Gary Zukav
- Enough -Dr.Ania Jastreboff
- Continue poem - Dr. Maya Angelou - this poem was gifted to Oprah on her 50th birthday on a scroll.
- Megan Castran, Paul Castran Toorak, Victoria -(Spiritual partnerships a.k.a couple goals).
- Joyful pilates in Armadale, Victoria - owned by Ally & Max Castran (family of Megan & Paul Castran).