BMX was what brought me out of my shell. I didn't really fit in with the other riders at the park but that was perfectly fine with me because I didn't need their help or approval to do my own things. I poured myself into it to escape the bullying and general depression school weighed me down with and because of this I rapidly increased in ability. It wasn't long before I was the best rider at my local park and catching the eye of other, more capable riders further afield. I started getting lifts around with various older riders who would help and push me and I LOVED it. To be praised for something was a foregin concept for me outside of home and I was thrilled people were enjoying my style.

As that progressed I noticed that all the riders I first knew started quitting in favour of parties, girls and driving while I had no interest in it. I continued to dedicate myself to riding and all that encompassed, pushing myself daily to be the best I could be and entering any contest I could hope to get to. That carried on pretty consistently for a few years until I finally got the chance to head to America in 2011. I had been coaching for a little while now and I was getting some pretty good results, so when Woodward West reached out to me to be their pro level coach for 3 weeks in August I pounced on it. I flew over and spent 3 of the most incredible weeks of my life there. I learnt so much and got to know some incredible people while there. That then fueled my passion to get up and visit more places. 

After that I got to visit multiple countries throughout the UK and Europe as I started targeting more contests. I rode FISE a number of times and that thrill of competing was and still is indescribable. The feeling of tens of thousands of people roaring at you mid run... pure bliss. It pushed me on further and higher than I ever thought I could have achieved and I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who's thinking of aiming for something like that. I never placed all that great with me only reaching a few finals internationally, but I chalk that up to not enough experience and no real guidance on what to do while there. Back home in Australia though I did win a couple of big contests here such as a few CORE series stops and being crowned Australia's King Of Dirt Champion.

After about 2016 I started winding down and that's when I found myself starting to move into more of a mentorship and coaching role.

I had always been teaching kids from when I first started riding and as I progressed more and more people came to me for help. I started coaching full time in 2013 and between that and contest earnings I was able to do really well. As I started winding down it was then I realised just how important it is to pour your knowledge into the next generation. As one who's gone before them, it is my duty to make sure that any young rider who comes after me is supported and uplifted in such a way that they go further than me, ride harder than me and achieve a level of riding superior to mine. There is no better feeling than watching one of your students strike out and achieve goals they never expected to fulfil. Case in point, watching Natalya Diehm start out as a young girl with a big dream of going to the Olympics, now being drafted to head on over to Tokyo and represent Australia in women's freestyle BMX.

If there is anything I can say to the younger generation reading this now, then let me say this. Don't let anyone steal away your dreams. Don't think just because you're not the best at your local park doesn't mean you can't become the best. Winning the contest is as simple as staying on your bike. If you practice consistency and endurance, you will be in the top 50% of riders in your area easily. Write down what you want to achieve and then strike out and do it. If someone tries to discourage you from trying something, first ask yourself if they have been successful in what you're trying to do. If they've never been successful in any form of sports, then you shouldn't listen to them! Get yourself a good mentor and coach if possible and run as HARD at your dreams and stop for nothing and no one until you achieve them.