By Sharni Layton
2-Time Netball World Champion & Motivational Speaker
@sharnilayton
Netball and AFLW have always required trust. Trust in my body. Trust in my preparation. Trust in my teammates.
Listening to the voice within
Learning to trust my instincts
When you’re out on court, there’s no time to second-guess yourself. Everything happens in the moment, and you learn to rely on instinct.
But life off the court is different.
There was a time in my life when I realised I had stopped trusting myself. I had ignored that quiet voice inside me—the one that whispers when something isn’t right. I had spent so much time trying to fit into a life that no longer felt aligned with who I truly was that, somewhere along the way, I lost connection with myself.
That was the hardest part: realising I had overridden my own instincts and disconnected from what I knew deep down, even when it felt uncomfortable.
“I made a promise that I would never put myself second again.”
A commitment to myself
Finding strength through uncertainty
My marriage breakdown completely broke me in many ways. It was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. There’s so much grief, confusion and emotional exhaustion that people don’t always talk about.
But through all of it, I also found strength, clarity and a deeper understanding of myself.
So I made a decision. If I was going to move forward, I was going to do it differently. I was going to trust myself again.
That’s how this ring began—as a marker of that shift and a commitment to myself.
The beginning of something meaningful
The timing felt almost surreal
When I worked with Nadine from @designbayjewellery to create something that marked this turning point, I didn’t want a big statement.
I wanted one word: TRUST. Something I could carry with me every day—a quiet but powerful reminder to trust my instincts and honour my intuition.
In the same week I handed back my engagement and wedding rings, Nadine reached out to me about creating a meaningful custom piece that represented life after sport and new chapters. It felt like the universe was trying to tell me something.
The story in the ring
A gemstone pointing forward
At the centre sits a beautiful Paraiba tourmaline, vibrant and alive. Its triangular shape feels strong and directional, as though it’s pointing forward.
For me, it symbolises clarity after confusion and strength through uncertainty, while also representing transformation, courage and growth.
It’s a reminder to speak my truth and embrace my imperfections with confidence.
Hidden inside the band is the word that holds its meaning together: TRUST.
A new chapter
Empowered in who I am
I absolutely love my ring. Not just because it’s beautiful, but because of what it represents.
It symbolises letting go, trusting myself again and stepping into a new chapter feeling empowered in who I am.
Every time I look at it, I’m reminded to trust my instincts, honour my values and never lose myself again—in the way I lead, how I love and how I show up every day.
A reminder carried every day
TRUST
This ring reminds me to trust my instincts, honour my intuition and stay true to who I am—even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
And if sharing this story helps even one other person feel less alone through heartbreak, change or the journey of rediscovering themselves, then it was worth telling.