My sporting journey began the same way it did for most of us, for a club playing football (or anything with a ball) and later through school playing a variety of sports. But it was the sport of Athletics where I found my natural home. Discipline, precision, science, hard but smart work, friendships, travel, achievement and disappointment, training squad members I laughed along with, athletes I aspired to be like, and knowing you got out of the sport exactly what you put into it - there was nowhere to hide from your results.

  My own journey as an athlete stopped through a combination of factors - study, work, injury (I'm grateful for how much we have learned since about recovery) and illness. I retired as a sprint hurdler after trying to qualify for the 1990 Commonwealth Games but developing glandular fever in the process.

  As a coach today I've helped athletes in both team and individual sports get faster and move better, all focusing on what is functionally relevant to them for their enjoyment and confidence both on and off the sport arena. It's the sport of Athletics (track and field), however, where I spend 90% of my coaching time. I began my coaching career in Wellington focusing on sprints, took a break (because coaching for me remains a commitment alongside my regular day job - Psychologist) for career reasons, returned to it in Christchurch for around 10 years (Phoenix Athletic Club) and from January 2019 have been based in the Hawkes Bay (Hastings).

  Along the way I've coached sprinters, jumpers, throwers, hurdlers and multi-eventers to international level, been part of some great NZ teams, and have had the pleasure of coaching athletes to podium and first place at regional and national level. It takes time though. Champions aren't made overnight and talent/genetics will only take you so far. It doesn't take winning to make someone a true champ in my eyes. The real challenges are the ones we set against ourselves.