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Spomenka Matic – Wellness Advisor - Punurunha Village

  • Published on Sep. 12, 2025

  • 6 min

Finding Strength Through Change

At Sodexo, our people remind us every day that leadership isn’t always about titles or positions; sometimes, it’s about courage, vulnerability, and the willingness to start conversations that others are afraid to have.  For Spomenka Matic, Wellness Advisor at Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Punurunha Village, mental health isn’t a side note to her role; it’s the heartbeat of everything she does.  Her journey is proof that when you bring openness and humanity into the workplace, you can change lives.

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Spomenka has always believed in challenging herself, even when it was uncomfortable.
 

“I set myself a personal goal that every seven years I’d try something new.  My first job lasted 11 years because it felt safe; they were like family.  It was only when I left that I realised how much I needed that change for my growth and my mental health.  It was the best decision I ever made for myself.”
 

As a personal trainer and mentor, she quickly realised that true wellness doesn’t begin in the body; it begins in the mind.
 

“At first, it was about fitness, looking strong, eating well.  But the real breakthroughs came when people started opening up about their struggles.  That’s when I realised mental health is the foundation for everything else.” 

Taking the Leap Into FIFO 

Adjusting to FIFO life can be a daunting experience for many, filled with uncertainty, preconceived ideas, and the challenge of stepping into a completely new environment.  When Spomenka joined Sodexo as a Wellness Advisor, she admits she was nervous.

“I’d heard so many negative stories about FIFO.  I remember sitting at the airport asking myself, ‘What are you doing?’ However, once I arrived, it felt meant to be.  Within a week, I had goals and ideas coming out of my head.  I remember finishing my first swing thinking, ‘I’m not ready to go home.  I have so much more to do here.’”

Her first act onsite was to lead with vulnerability.

“At my very first Pre-Start meeting, I told everyone, ‘It’s my first time doing FIFO. I’m new here.’  People were so supportive.  I realised if I shared my own story, maybe it would give others the courage to do the same.” 

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Building Trust Through Mental Health Advocacy 

Mental health advocacy often starts with one small, brave step, and for Spomenka, that meant stepping into spaces where silence once lived.

 

“Yes, Sodexo had resources available, but I didn’t see people engaging with them or talking about mental health openly.  That’s where I knew I could make a difference.  It had to start with trust.  And trust starts with me.  It starts with me, because if I don’t step forward, others won’t either.”

 

She shares one of her proudest achievements: breaking through with the Facilities Maintenance (FM) team.

 

“At first, I sensed there was resistance; they didn’t know what to make of me.  But I stayed consistent.  I asked them to share photos that meant something to them, I brought in music, and I asked about their families.  Slowly, the walls came down.  Now those same FM team members drop by my office to chat, share ideas, and even ask me about gym equipment.  That shift didn’t come from a program; it came from patience, persistence, and showing I cared.”

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“Rome wasn’t built in a day. The first step is always the hardest, but if you don’t take it, you’ll never know. It’s never too late to get help, to grow, to change. My mum went to therapy for the first time at 62, and it changed her life. That’s why I believe so strongly that mental health matters for everyone, at every age.” 
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