Meet Richie Hardcore: Sparking Change. Inspiring Resilience.

Advocating for mental health, healthy masculinity, and cultural transformation, Richie Hardcore connects with audiences through real conversations and actionable insights.

Richie Hardcore

Speaker | Advocate | Coach

Why I Speak, Teach, and Lead.

We all have the power to create change, but it begins with understanding the challenges we face. Richie Hardcore’s mission is to empower individuals, communities, and organizations to foster resilience, inclusivity, and well-being by addressing the tough conversations society needs to have.

FEATURED IN

From Fighter to Advocate: A Journey of Growth.

Richie Hardcore grew up navigating the complexities of masculinity, resilience, and identity. As a champion Muay Thai fighter, he developed the discipline and grit that now fuel his advocacy work. With over a decade of experience speaking, mentoring, and facilitating change, Richie uses his platform to tackle critical topics like mental health, equality, and cultural norms.

Values That Drive
Every Conversation.

Richie’s work is guided by these principles

Authenticity

Speaking truthfully and connecting deeply.

Empathy

Understanding diverse perspectives.

Inclusion

Advocating for equality for all communities.

Resilience

Thriving through adversity.

An Impactful Voice for a Better Future.

What makes Richie’s approach unique?

We need to let boys know it’s cool to wear pink, you can play with teddies, it’s fine to not feel okay, and it’s okay to cry.

Richie Hardcore

Awards and Achievements

Muay Thai Career

The Winner

Richie has dedicated over 30 years to Muay Thai and martial arts, earning multiple national and regional titles through discipline, resilience, and unmatched passion.

TEDxAuckland Speaker

Runner up

Delivered a powerful talk, “Unpacking unhealthy masculinity: Teaching boys to be better men,” sparking transformative conversations about masculinity and cultural change.

White Ribbon Board Member

The Winner

Plays an integral role in ending men’s violence against women through education, advocacy, and national campaigns.

‘It’s Not OK’ Champion

Nominee

Leads efforts to reduce family violence by inspiring positive behavioral change through public education.

The Rise Above Charitable Trust

Nominee

Established this initiative to connect with incarcerated young men in Aotearoa, sharing stories and lessons to inspire resilience and transformation.

Some of My Favourite People Podcast

Join Richie Hardcore as he dives deep into powerful conversations with some of the most inspiring voices of our time. ‘Some of My Favourite People’ explores topics that matter—mental health, masculinity, social justice, and personal growth—with activists, educators, artists, and athletes who challenge the status quo and inspire change.

Tune in to explore ideas, share stories, and find motivation for your own journey.

Let’s Create a Better Tomorrow, Together.

Whether you’re looking for an engaging speaker, a compassionate coach, or a trusted advocate for change, Richie Hardcore is here to help.