Our ambassadors
Meet our fearless Ambassadors – who use their profile to help raise awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis nationally, share their lived experiences and promote the work of Crohn’s & Colitis Australia.
We thank CCA’s Ambassadors for representing our fearless community and helping to #FlushTheStigma through publicity, events and social media as well as CCA organised campaigns, such as Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month (May) and the Live Fearless Challenge (September).
Our Ambassadors are also champions that advocate on behalf of their local community, sharing their stories and helping to destigmatise these illnesses.
Brittani Nicholl
Australian Champion Surfer
Brittani Nicholl is an accomplished surfer from the Far North Coast of NSW, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of seven. Brittani’s surfing career achievements include various Pro Junior results, 3 consecutive NSW State Titles, an Australian Title, WSL WQS world ranking of 24, Australian representation in the 2016 and 2017 ISA World Surfing Games, and Australian Team Captain. Brittani’s health obstacles forced her to take a step back from competitive surfing, however, she is still involved in the industry and studying a university degree.
“It was a visit in hospital from a stranger at the time who picked my spirits back up and inspired me to continue living my life doing the things I loved. I am forever grateful for this visit.”
Jacinta Parsons
ABC Radio Melbourne Presenter & Author
Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, radio maker, writer and public speaker who currently co-hosts the Afternoon program on ABC Local Radio Melbourne. She began her radio-life at community radio station 3RRR over a decade ago, where she coordinated live music broadcasts and hosted several shows including Detour and Breakfasters. Jacinta has presented on ABC Radio Melbourne since January 2018. Jacinta speaks and writes about the impact of living with Crohn’s disease and is the author of Unseen: The Secret World of Chronic Illness.
“I hope by revealing my own challenges with chronic illness, that I can give voice to some of the millions of Australians living with chronic illness, unseen and unheard.”
Luke Escombe
Musician, Comedian & MC
Luke Escombe is an award-winning songwriter, musician, and patient health advocate whose ability to take his real-life struggles with Crohn’s disease and turn them into laughter and music, has earned him standing ovations on four continents. Luke is a member of the New South Wales Arts Advisory Panel, creator of ARIA-nominated kids band The Vegetable Plot and a teaching artist with the Sydney Opera House’s Creative Leadership in Learning Program. He is most often described by himself as the ‘Mick Jagger of inflammatory bowel disease’.
“I reached a point of acceptance with Crohn’s and started mining my horrific experiences for comedy gold. I think the fact that I could be honest but also funny about a disease that carries so much stigma helped me reach past people’s defences and activate their empathy.”
Teigan Nash
TV Presenter, Podcast host & Co-Founder of Girls Who Glow
Teigan Nash is a TV Presenter, GoPro Ambassador, Friend of Australia, Podcast host, co-founder of Girls Who Glow and lover of dogs. Teigan also lives with Crohn’s disease; she was diagnosed in 2018, so while it is all still new and very early in the remission journey Teigan still lives a fulfilled life. Teigan has travelled the world working and living abroad and she loves the ocean and outdoors. She’s known for her role on popular kids show Saturday Disney and most recently as a host of a travel show on Channel 10, Roads Less Travelled.
“It’s important to feel comfortable with yourself and those around, so that you can open up and talk about IBD. All my friends and even work colleagues all know my needs around having an autoimmune disease.”
– Teigan Nash
Flic Manning
Author, Speaker & Corethentic Founder
Flic Manning is an Author, Speaker and Entrepreneur. She is the founder of Corethentic, a wellness system created on the back of her experience living with inflammatory bowel disease. Flic is a certified wellness coach, personal and group fitness instructor, dance teacher, meditation coach, and a holistic pain management and mindfulness facilitator. She also has a Diploma of Neuroplasticity and a Certificate of Advanced Neurobiology. Flic has lived with Crohn’s disease for over two decades and is the author of Living Human, a book about her experiences with invisible illness.
“I found the process of having an invisible illness de-humanising. As I worked on rebuilding my personal humanity, I recognised that for my quality of life to be high I must not shy away from who I am and what I need and that the only way I could prevent someone else being de-humanised was to let them know what I had experienced and share what I had learned.”