MONIque harding
For the change makers, legacy leavers and deep caring leaders
Portfolio Business STRATEGIST,
Psychology-led Performance Specialist
I'm Monique. Mon to my friends and clients, Momo to my husband, and Neeki-noo to my nearly 90-year-old dad.
I grew up with a brother who lived more of his life with a terminal illness than without it. Losing him young taught me everything I know today about living a full, expansive life, the philosophy of if not now, then when? and the belief that life is too short to play by someone elses rules when they clearly don't fit you.
That's the thread that runs through everything I do. And it's the reason the portfolio business model isn't just a strategy to me. It's a way of living. Creatively meaningful. Financially robust. Built around YOU.
I've spent 15+ years working across psychology, HR, elite sport and small business. I'm neurodivergent, obsessed with human behaviour, and genuinely believe that mindset is 90% of the work. The strategy means nothing if the energy behind it is off. So we work on both - always.
"I create spaces where people can realign, feel stretched and a little more than when they walked in."
alive
MY PHILOSOPHY
"I genuinely believe that
{LIKELY YOU WILL TOO AFTER SPENDING SOME TIME WITH ME}. FULL DISCLOSURE - I had to fight to get this mindset though... and getting here looked a bit like being a contestant on a 1990s TV show Gladiator."
"I genuinely believe that
I had to fight to get this mindset though — and getting here looked a bit like being a contestant on a 1990s TV show Gladiator."
everything is always working
everything is always working OUT FOR ME.
out for me.
15+
Years across psychology, HR, elite sport and small business
5+
Rounds of Luminate — and counting
2
Multi six-figure businesses built using the portfolio model
100s
Of experts helped to build financially diversified, creatively fulfilling businesses
The stuff.
human
The things that don't fit in a bio but probably tell you more about who I am than any credential ever could.
the 3:45am thing
Up at 3:45am. Gym class at 4:15am. I genuinely love early mornings — it's when the world is quiet and my brain is loudest. Don't invite me to dinner though. I'll be asleep by then.
Neurodivergent & proud
I'm spicy brained and proud. I used to think something was wrong with me. Turns out my brain just runs on a different operating system. It's also probably why I'm obsessed with human behaviour.
Three years alcohol free
I don't drink. I had a yucky relationship with alcohol — and on reflection was probably self-medicating undiagnosed neurodivergence. Going on three years now. Best decision I ever made for my mind, my mornings and my life.
The portfolio was always mine
I'd been living the portfolio business model for years before I claimed it in 2025. I used to make myself wrong — thinking I was scattered, or just needed to pick one thing. Turns out I wasn't scattered. I was just ahead of the model.
Mindset is 90% of the work
Not 80% — 90%. Everything starts from perspective. The strategy means nothing if the energy behind it is off. That's why I work on both. The energy behind the strategy is just as important as the strategy itself.
Obsessed with human behaviour
Understanding why humans do and don't do things — and how to work with psychology to get results that actually light you up — is my version of a hobby. I've been fascinated by it since I can remember.
My energy is contagious
Just try to spend time with me and not get excited about your life. I dare you. True extrovert. Oversharer from minute one. What you see is entirely what you get. You either love it or hate it.
Money for good
I'm passionate about people using their money with intention. Building wealth that ripples — for their families, their communities, the world. I spent Friday mornings at my local community food provision connecting with the less fortunate. It's the highlight of my week.
The other stuff
I've eaten the same breakfast for five years. I'm the last one on the dance floor. Sunrises over sunsets. Kombucha over wine and a lit up night sky in the middle of nowhere — still gives me goosebumps.
HOW I GOT HERE
The portfolio
didn't happen overnight.
2011
Dramatically quit corporate HR for yoga teaching
I am a Leo after all — the exit was always going to be big and bold. Travelled to LA, taught in studios, and eventually learned that some passions should never be turned into income-generating ones. First lesson in the portfolio model.
2012
First big consulting gig — strategy with CEOs
Seconded out to businesses to work with CEOs on strategy. Incredible in theory — I ended up spending more time with the big boys in the boardroom than creating real change.
2014
Back to uni — sOCIOLOGY
In the search for more, I went back to QUT. Convinced that therapeutic work was where I could have the real impact I was after. It changed everything about how I understand people — and myself.
2020
Multi six-figure practice, waitlist, and the online world
A few years into private practice and well established I branched out into the online world with my first course offering - Make Peace With Your Past. I launched and sold out four different courses that year.
2023
Luminate is born
Launched my podcast and signature group offerings. Luminate — the mastermind for building portfolio businesses — came from my own lived experience of making it wrong for years that I did multiple things. Turns out I wasn't the only one.
2025
The portfolio in full expression
Commercial property investments. Private practice. Fifth round of Luminate. Revenue share with selective 1:1 clients. AIS retained work. The portfolio model — fully claimed, fully lived.
THE CREDENTIALS
THE
STUFF.
THE STUFF.
boring
(Useful. But the real flex is the hundreds of people I've helped build businesses they love.)
(Useful. But the real flex is the hundreds of people I've helped build businesses they love.)
Bachelor of Business & Psychology
QUT — Business and Psychology combined degree
SOCIOLOGIST + Systemic Therapist
Qualified Sociologist and systemic and family therapist
ICF Certified Coach
International Coaching Federation certification
NLP Certified
Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner
HR Specialist
15+ years across organisational development, culture and leadership
high performance expert
Retained performance work with the Australian Institute of Sport and AFL clubs
MY OWN PORTFOLIO TODAY
I don't just teach the portfolio business model. I live it.
→ Luminate Mastermind
→ 1:1 Intensive Coaching
→ Retained work with the AIS
→ Private practice
→ Team & leadership workshops
→ Digital products & podcast