What do you do outside of training? I work for NASA & CSIRO out at the Tidbinbilla tracking station as a facilities assistant specialising in Horticulture. It is pretty much my dream job, working with a team to further astronomical science, while I primarily take custodianship and care of my little section of spaceship Earth.
Where do you draw inspiration from and why? I draw inspiration from the universe and life itself. For when I observe nature, nothing is done in a hurry yet everything gets achieved. The constant growth that leads to decay which then provides hubris for life to grow. Sacred geometry and harmonic resonance has always interested me and the patterns repeat constantly in nature.
What was the best advice you were ever given? “Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment”.
What is one key event that changed your life in a positive or negative way? Sitting on the prow of a sail ship in the middle of the ocean with a full moon lighting the endless expanse of the sea, it was the moment I conquered my fear of the sea and felt totally calm and at one with everything, I have been chasing those moments ever since.
What is your favourite part of class? Pushing through and digging deep, when you are a sweaty, exhausted mess, and all you want to do is stop. You find that inspiration, motivation to keep going because if you can’t find and break those limits you have conjured, then you don’t really know of what you are capable of.
Do you want to fight, why or why not? Yes, I do want to fight as it would be a great way to challenge and express oneself honestly, testing the culmination of training discipline and character.
Favourite fighter and why? Bruce Lee, he has been my favourite fighter and childhood hero of all time. He was a significant cultural bridge between east and west that paved the way of kung fu movie mania. His philosophy, his sheer tenacity towards life, martial arts made him a legend that continues to encourage many generations to do their best, to be authentic and expressive.