THERE are few who can say they have cycled from Darwin to Adelaide. Dr fLorence Cotel is one of these people.

Dr fLorence Cotel PhD is a French neuroscientist, having received a Bachelor of Biology from Sorbonne University, and a PhD and Master’s degree in Neuroscience. 

Together with her extensive educational background, Dr fLorence Cotel is also an endurance athlete, author, and inspirational speaker. She has worked in France, Denmark, and Australia, and volunteered as a Red Cross first aid instructor. Dr fLorence Cotel has founded BLiSS Science and Innovation Incorporated, a non-for-profit that attempts to solve real-world problems through transdisciplinary knowledge and collaboration. 

In 2023, she founded The Burnout Conversation. Dr fLorence Cotel speaks to how interested she is in the phenomena of burnout – specifically as it relates to the workforce – and has both experienced and studied burnout from the early stages of her own career. 

With The Burnout Conversation, Dr fLorence is attempting to assist organisations with their employees, in order for them to unlock their fullest potential, nurture their fulfillment in the roles they operate in, and help staff retention. 

Early in her career, Dr Cotel was involved with public speaking, which has only been refined further along the course of her life. For over two decades, Dr Cotel has delivered keynotes on such topics as the prevention of burnout, cross-boundary expert collaborations, and personal experiences as an adventurer. She is particularly focused on inspiring young girls through similar public workshops on how to realise their full potential and define goals and dreams.

‘As a researcher, I have been developing knowledge. It is so much more valuable when you communicate it to people, and when you can see the impact it has on them,’ says Dr fLorence.

At the tail end of 2022, Dr fLorence decided to make the 3,000 kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide – however, she was going to achieve this by cycling. Being intrigued with the IronMan Triathlon, which she subsequently completed in 2018, Dr fLorence looked for similar endurance activities that piqued her interest. She embarked on the bicycle journey in October, and cycled for six weeks. 

During the trip, Dr fLorence updated international friends on her progress through images and videos. By the time she completed her goal, those cheering her on had told her what an inspiration she had been to them. 

Dr fLorence has since created the inspirational campaign “One Dream Down” following the response from her 3,000 kilometre trek. 

‘I had not tried to inspire anyone,’ explains Dr fLorence. ‘But when I saw the power that inspiration had, I thought “If I can help people start projects when I’m not even trying, what can I do when I put something together with the intention of inspiration”.’

To find information about Dr fLorence and her projects, visit drflorencecotel.com/