Follow
How long have you been competing or partaking in your sport?
After travelling to Kona, Hawaii to watch my partner race at the Ironman World Championships in 2014 I was inspired to start triathlon (as a complete rookie). I started training for my first enticer triathlon in November of 2014. I’ve been competing in long course triathlon since September 2015.
Where do you call home?
Beerwah, Queensland, Australia. We have so many awesome training spots and facilities around here.
Favourite event or place to practice your sport?
I have done a couple of training camps out of Bright in Victoria and absolutely loved riding through the Victorian Alps. My favourite event is the Cairns Ironman Festival in Far North QLD.
What is your focus within your sport (what sub-discipline of your sport do you do most)? Why do you like that aspect the most?
I like the Ironman and Half Ironman distance in triathlon because you not only need physical strength and fitness, but you also need mental strength. There is something so rewarding about pushing your body and mind further than you thought was possible.
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you while doing your sport?
I taught at a small school out West for a couple of years, in my final year out there was when I found triathlon. In this time, I experienced a few strange things that happened while training out there:
- I got run off the road by an out of towner while I was on my bike.
- I swam in the pool in the middle of winter to get my swim sets done with a water temperature of 13-14 degrees Celsius.
- I would often run late into the night after working all day and marking through the night. I’d use the main street because it had streetlights, I would often come across all the rowdy people on their way home after the local pub had closed. They’d either give me words of encouragement or words of discouragement.
Do you have a local claim to fame?
I guess you could say my local claim to fame would be my strength on the bike as I came from a Powerlifting background.
Do you promote an annual event or are you involved in a charitable cause?
I don’t promote a particular event, however, I love to help my old high school, Beerwah State High School, with their annual triathlon as much as possible. Last year I took the senior students for a squad session in the pool, passing on key race tactics for the swim. Being a HPE teacher, I am always passing on advice and am willing to help students achieve the best they can in their sport.
A charitable cause that I believe in and donate money to is Surf Life Saving Australia. I believe it’s important for a country that’s population predominantly resides on the coast, that we have drowning prevention measures with coastal water safety. Surf Life Saving Australia creates an environment for the youth of today to challenge themselves in sport while making friends and learning the risks and safety about the ocean.
Anything else you would like to add about yourself or your sport?
When I’m not training or racing in triathlon, I work part-time as a High School Teacher. I have been scuba diving since the age of 14 years and love rewarding myself with a dive or two after important races when I have some down time.