Brooke Staff and Yeah Buddy: The Transformative Power of Running
How a Queensland mum turned quiet driveway jogs into a purpose-driven partnership.
When Brooke Staff laced up her shoes for a quick job between driveways, she didn’t know she was stepping into a whole new life.
A 41-year-old mum from Jimboomba, Queensland Brooke had already lost 45kg through persistence and grit. Running started as a way to squeeze in fitness between parenting and work – but it quickly became much more.
Each power pole passed became a marker of possibility, each stretch a reminder that she was capable of far more than she once believed.
Today, Brooke is not only an endurance runner chasing big goals, but also an ambassador for Yeah Buddy, the proud Australian brand designing bold hats with meaning. Together, they’ve created a partnership that’s less about fashion, and more about purpose – authenticity, perseverance, compassion, and heart.
Running With Purpose
Brooke’s story isn’t one of lifelong athletic dominance. In fact, football was her sport of choice growing up, and she openly admits she once dreaded running. But after one fateful September day back in 2023, running became her path to self-discovery. “What started as a way to shed a few kilos quickly became something bigger,” she recalls.
“It shifted from punishment to possibility. It wasn’t about weight anymore – it was about proving to myself that I could do hard things, one driveway and one power pole at a time. It also became an outlet for me to manage my own self-care.”
Two years later, she’s gone on to tackle challenges many would never dream of, including the Bravehearts 777 Marathon, a gruelling test of seven marathons across seven states in seven days.
While injury forced her to withdraw after day five, Brooke’s perspective is striking. “I don’t believe in finish lines,” she says.
“Perseverance isn’t about glamour, it’s about grit, determination, and showing up when every part of you wants to stop.
“Endurance running has played a profound role in helping me address and manage my own trauma and mental health, with each long run becoming a space where I could confront my fears, process difficult emotions, and find a sense of control in whatever it was that felt overwhelming.”
“Showing up for yourself day after day can be incredibly transformative.”
That philosophy extends beyond the track. As a service manager in early intervention child protection, Brooke deals daily with the toughest realities of child safety, domestic, family and sexual violence, homelessness, and trauma.
Running became her outlet, but it also became her platform, and she realised that each kilometre could carry a message louder than words when it came to awareness.
Enter Yeah Buddy Collab
Yeah Buddy isn’t your average apparel brand. Their focus is singular: hats. But behind every brim is a bigger purpose. From playful designs to deeply personal collaborations, Yeah Buddy hats are built to stand out, spark conversation, and connect people.
When Brooke first connected with the brand through social media, she instantly felt the synergy.
“They didn’t just acknowledge what I was doing (Bravehearts 777 Marathon),” she recalls.
“They made me feel genuinely seen, recognising the value in my story. It wasn’t collaboration, it was shared purpose.”
That alignment sparked the ‘YB x Brooke Staff cap’ partnership, which has since flourished into one of the brand’s most heartfelt campaigns in its Art Series 777 Brook Staff collection.
Founder Leon Hayes and the team believed in Brooke not just as a runner, but as a storyteller and advocate whose courage could ignite others.
So Much More Than Headwear
More than just headwear, the ‘YB x Brook Staff cap’ is a symbol. Designed around the Waratah, one of Australia’s strongest native flowers, it embodies resilience, regeneration, and strength after fire.
Its bold, colourful palette reflects Brooke’s own journey – blooming brighter after hardship, living life in colour after years of struggle.
“These caps represent endurance, advocacy, and the reminder to keep showing up even when it’s hard,” she says.
“To me, they’re a voice. Every kilometre I run is for a child who has experienced abuse, and every cap worn becomes a symbol of standing up for them, of refusing to let their stories be silenced.”
Wearing one isn’t just about style. It’s about solidarity, with each purchase directly supports Bravehearts Australia.
Join The Movement
When you buy a ‘YB x Brooke Staff’ cap, they’re not just picking up a piece of kit. You’re backing a movement. You’re helping fund Brooke’s endurance challenges, supporting advocacy for child protection and women’s mental health, and carrying forward a message of resilience and hope.
As Brooke puts it, “Every cap worn is a step towards creating lasting impact, a declaration of courage, resilience, and hope.”
For runners, dreamers, and anyone standing at the edge of their own challenge, Brooke’s story is a reminder that the finish line is never the end.
With Yeah Buddy, it’s always the start of what’s next.
The Yeah Buddy x Brooke Staff Hat Details
The YB x Brooke Staff cap was designed by Yeah Buddy Chief Designer, Eugene D’Hage Craig.
All profits from the purchase of a YB x Brooke Staff cap go directly to Bravehearts Australia.
