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About me:
I’m Australian
I was born in Mitcham, Victoria. I lived in Heathmont until the age of 7, before we moved to Warranwood. My family live there to this day. I would describe my relationship with Australia as a complicated one. I love the nature, the sporting culture, the humour and the freedom of growing up in a country like that. I struggle with the individualism, entitlement, tall poppy syndrome and racism.
Australia has so much healing to do. It starts with the indigenous people. You can’t have a great country and neglect the foundations.
Auckland, New Zealand is home
In 2015 I moved to Wellington with an ex-girlfriend. We lived there for 10 months. The way the country made me feel never left me, even when she did. After a few more years back in Melbourne, an opportunity to move to Auckland for work came up in mid-2019. I jumped at the chance and never looked back.
Opportunities New Zealand has given me:
- A feeling that I belonged somewhere
- First paid TV comedy writing gig
- First full time job
- Great friends
- A feeling that I’m okay just the way I am
I also met my partner here! Her name is Sierra and she is originally from Hanoi, Vietnam. She is now a New Zealand citizen. Together, we host The Grounded Circle Podcast. She draws all the artwork you see on this site.
I don’t know almost everything
I thought I used to know things, but lately I have realised that I don’t really know anything.
Some of the different lives I’ve lived include amateur golfer, comedy writer, TV producer, EdTech start-up founding employee and inventor of the world’s most popular online writing competition for high school students.
At one time or another, I thought each place was my final destination. I lead my life with a big heart. I have gotten better at looking at the data and pairing that with my intuition when it comes to decision making. I am more of a tortoise in the way I move between phases in my life. It’s hard to watch the hares race on by, but tortoises like me are happiest making a few small, meaningful steps every day. We all end up in the same place eventually.
I’m a pretty happy person
I read a lot on how to improve myself and then I put into action what I’ve learned. When something works, I tell as many people as I can. I make mistakes. All. The. Time. At home, at work, when nobody’s looking. I call them out kindly, see what I can learn and do better next time. I think that this is the engine room of a great life.
More about me:
- I like to watch cricket, AFL and golf highlights. I rarely watch an entire game. Highlights, I always have time for. Sport makes me happy and makes me feel safe.
- I love being great with money. 6 years ago my grandpa gave me a copy of The Barefoot Investor and it changed me life. I invest in low-cost index funds so I can invest my time in the people I love and the things I want to do. I don’t believe in real estate as an investment.
- I’m a messy minimalist. I own very few things. But my partner and my colleagues will be the first to tell you that I tend to spread them out.
- I love chocolate. But it is possible to love something too much. I recently set a rule for myself to only have one piece per day and I like how it’s made me feel ever since.
- I love nice restaurants. Every Saturday, Sierra and I will pick a restaurant and have the best time.
- I am an eldest child. My brother is a graphic designer, working for my dad’s graphic design business of 30 years. My sister works at a university in office administration. Mum works in the cafeteria of my old school. I try to call one family member every couple of weeks. I love living in a different country, but I miss everyone a lot.