Inspiring Aussies share their stories of doubt in new CommBank campaign 

Doubt is something we all face, but it’s how we respond that defines us. 

CommBank’s new campaign, Doubt Never Did, shares the real stories of Australians from all walks of life who have faced self-doubt, setbacks and uncertainty – and kept going. From personal reinvention to pushing through rejections, doubt is part of the turning point that helped them succeed.

Jo Boundy, CommBank Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Doubt can hold us back – whether it’s taking the first steps to start a business or savings goal, or hitting a roadblock further along in your journey. This campaign shows Australians they’re not alone, and that doubt can be a powerful turning point. Back yourself and know that with CommBank in your corner, you can.”

Meet the Australians who turned doubt into something more

From elite sport to the stage and kitchen, the inspiring Australians who feature in the national campaign have each faced down their own moments of doubts. Hear conversations with:

• Mary Fowler, CommBank Matilda’s superstar – who rose from Cairns to the world stage, overcoming pressure and expectation to become one of the most exciting talents in global football;
• Zoe Karatzovalis, Yellow Wiggle, inclusivity champion and business owner of inclusive dance studio, Infinite Abilities Performance Arts; and
• Shaun Christie-David, social entrepreneur, Founder of Plate it Forward and Colombo Social;

From today, see these stories on billboards across the country with QR codes to listen to the full audio interviews hosted by podcaster Matty J.

Mary Fowler, CommBank Matildas superstar, said: “Doubt has been a constant presence in my journey.”

Mary grew up in Cairns and quickly made her mark on football, playing professional overseas while still a teenager. But even as her career accelerated, self-doubt followed – especially during setbacks and injury. 

“Sometimes the situations we’re in and the problems that we’re facing… they feel so big to overcome that it seems like there’s no way through them.”

Now, Mary is focused on flipping the mindset. “I really hate the idea of being a victim… As much as I can, I just try to flip the perspective on a lot of these things. That actually helps me see a lot more positives in what I’m doing and makes it a bit easier to get through it without feeling sorry for myself.”

Mary’s advice? “Everyone experiences doubt. I think it’s a normal part of our journey. The thing to try change is not doubt itself, but the way you react to it and how quickly you can counter it. Don’t let doubt hold you back and keep believing in yourself.”

Zoe Karatzovalis, Yellow Wiggle and Founder of Infinite Abilities Performance Arts, said: “I doubted myself more than everyone did. I think everyone believed in me more than I did… I just didn’t really know what I was doing.”

Zoe grew up in Port Lincoln, where her passion for dance started early. But it was her brother, Costa, who shaped her purpose. “My brother, Costa, he’s on the autism spectrum… we always connected through music and dance. He was a big inspiration in my life… I really wanted to be the change and to inspire others too.”

After moving to Sydney to pursue a professional dance career, Zoe faced pressure and rejection. “I felt like I was this small fish in this huge pond… I struggled to make friends… I’d go to auditions and get cut straight away because I wasn’t tall enough… or my face didn’t look how they wanted it to be.”

Now through her inclusive dance studio, Zoe is focused on helping others thrive. “There was so much doubt, but I am so glad I put all my hard work and energy into it… The energy you put out into the universe is the energy that you’re going to get back.”

Zoe’s advice? “No's leads to yes's in many different ways… You've just got to realise that believing in yourself and knowing that if something didn't work, that means there's something better coming… Your path hasn't ended… No matter how far and long the journey seems, there will be something around the corner.”

Shaun Christie-David, Founder of Plate it Forward and Colombo Social, said: “We were laughed at. We were told we could never ever make it happen… that we'd fail and to basically give up on our dreams. And that hurt.”

Shaun had never worked in hospitality when he opened his first restaurant. What he did have was an idea: that food could be a force for social good. “There was something about food… the equality that’s created through food.”

He filled his front-of-house team with people seeking asylum – individuals who may not be given a chance because of language or paperwork. He remembers the knockbacks.

“People didn't understand it. They didn't get it… but you've got to trust your instinct… The doubt creeps in, self-doubt, the huge kind of voice that sits in the back of your mind saying, this can't be done.”

Shaun’s advice? “Those voices get into your head and they're loud… But if you are doing the right thing, persevere through that, push through the challenges.”

Doubt Never Did is an evolution of CommBank’s long-running Can platform, celebrating the dreams of resilient and determined Australians, and how, with a can-do mindset, you can overcome doubt and achieve those dreams.

For more information and to hear the full stories, visit www.commbank.com.au/brighter 

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