Date of Birth: 7/3/1985
Where do you live?
- Lord Howe Island- Australia, Boulder- United States, Suffolk Park- Australia.
How did you get into triathlon?
- I was strongly encouraged through school to move away from team sports and into endurance events after excelling in fitness testing. Was also getting very tired of being the smallest guy on the rugby field and basketball court . With the encouragement and support of good friend Phil Whilstler I flirted with the sport through university to keep my pending beer belly at bay and then got more serious in 2007 when I realised there was a possibility of doing triathlon for a living for a few years.
Years racing pro?
- Quit full time work and started living the dream in March 2010, however I’de raced in the pro category for the majority of races in 2009.
Favourite Food?
- Kettle Chips- A pack a day keeps the ribs from poking astray.
Best thing about triathlon?
- Enjoying summer all year round.
What would you be if you weren’t a professional triathlete?
- Either a teacher, a very successful or very unsuccessful entrepreneur (nothing in between) or a struggling musician.
Triathlon Idols?
- Triathletes- Greg Welch, Craig Alexander, Chris McCormack and Simon Thompson
Favourite Discipline:
- Running. Nothing beats the simplicity and freedom of returning to our evolutionary roots through the act of running.
Goals for the future:
- My primary goal as an athlete is to simply improve. If I can keep on improving, I should achieve some very good results.
- Continue to learn everything I can to improve as a coach.
Tips for starting out triathletes?
- Remember that triathlon is simply how fast you swim , ride and run. It doesn’t make you a better person because you do this well.
- Balance in life is everything. It will keep motivation levels high, make you train more effectively and hopefully keep the most important aspect of life, relationships, healthy and happy.
- Don’t waste time doing junk kilometres. Get physiological testing, get a good coach (ie- I’ve heard transitionfitness.com.au or aeromaxteam.com are great sites to check out) and let your coach help you train efficiently so that every session has a specific purpose and increases your improvement whilst reducing your chance of injury.
- Learn and understand the ‘power of the present’ and how to have fun while racing.
- Stay injury free- Work on your core strength, ensure body balance and learn correct technique before getting stuck into conditioning work.
People you couldn’t do without?
My Mum and Dad first and foremost. It took them a couple of years to get their heads around all the training but once they realised that it stopped me partying and that I was getting results they have been 100% behind me.
Mike Humphries for his belief from the start and his magical bike mechanic skills plus doing his utmost in successfully securing me sponsorship. Ned Lindsay for amazing support and helping me believe in anyone’s ability to achieve their dreams, my great friends – Wicksy, Egg, Pyza, Newman and others who have helped in their own way.
Monica Taylor who inspires, supports, shows incredible patience and loves me for reasons I haven’t quite worked out yet.
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