KIA ORA, I'M NIC.

I’m a charity founder, speaker, author and general do-gooder.

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I’m also a heart transplantee, mate pukupuku (cancer) survivor and bereaved māmā who lives with Parkinson's. Phew.

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About Me

I'm a Northern Irish woman living in New Zealand.

Now us ‘Norn Iron’ women are made of sturdy stuff: assertive and stoic with a serious stubborn streak. But cancer in my 30s, heart failure, Parkinson's, and a heart transplant in my 40s, and the death of my wee girl, Kenzie, to cancer—these traits alone couldn't save me from this onslaught of horrors.

About Me

MY BOOK BOLLIX!

I’m not here to serve up a ‘journey’ with fluffy phrases like 'hope and healing.' If you’re looking for a story of miracles and fairytale endings, you might be in the wrong place. What I can give you is an unvarnished look at how one woman (that’d be me) keeps moving through the chaos of grief, illness, and the wild unpredictability of life.

Learn more about my book

“I’m referring you for a heart transplant.”
"Bollix!"
‍
This conversation with my cardiologist in 2021 was the inspiration for the title of my book, 'Bollix! When life isn't all it's craic'd up to be.'

More About Bollix

Watch my Documentary

Read some of my articles below to learn more about my life experiences

Watch Documentary on Youtube

Read 1News Article

IN THE MEDIA

Since 2005, I have been invited to share my experiences, thoughts and adventures with media, ranging from life with cancer, Parkinson’s and grief, to charity initiatives and sporting challenges. Below is a selection of media interviews from over the years.

RNZ, December 2023

Cold Comfort

Belfast Telegraph, July 2009

NZ Herald, November 2013

Stuff, June 2017

Nic Russell - Close Up

RNZ, December 2017

Northern Advocate, August 2021

Stuff, December 2017

Good Sorts

Kenzie's Gift Charity - Close Up

See Media

SOME OF MY ARTICLES

Read some of my articles below to learn more about grief and loss.

Living and Working: Two Decades with Serious Illness

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in my early thirties, I didn’t expect it to be the beginning of a long series of serious health challenges.

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Living with a Heart Transplant: The Real-Life Version

Discover the real-life experience of living with a heart transplant—no gloss, just honest insights into grief, recovery, daily challenges, and meaningful moments from author Nic Russell.

Read Article

My Life With Parkinson’s

Tea Showers, Tremors and Not Losing the Plot. Parkinson’s is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Dopamine controls movement, mood, and motor function.

Read Article

See All Articles

HIRE ME

It’s fair to say I’ve faced a lot of adversity in my life, from my mate ūtaetae (breast cancer) diagnosis and a misbehaving body to the death of my three-year-old daughter Kenzie. Through it all, I’ve learnt a lot.

It’s these lessons that I share in my talks on resiliency and determination. I’ve got years of experience of public speaking, including being the keynote speaker at the Human Resource Institutes National conference to a 3,000-strong audience and a TEDx talk.

Hire Me

NIC

RUSSELl

KIA ORA, I'M NIC.

About Me

MY BOOK BOLLIX!

Learn more about my book

Watch my Documentary

IN THE MEDIA

SOME OF MY ARTICLES

Living and Working: Two Decades with Serious Illness

Living with a Heart Transplant: The Real-Life Version

My Life With Parkinson’s

HIRE ME

Follow Me on Instagram

NIC

RUSSELL