SO WHO AM I?

Well, that's a question I'm not sure you really want the answer to.

To be honest, I'm still discovering myself more each day. But I can tell you this: the person you're meeting today is nothing like the one who was creating chaos just a few years ago.

Here's what I know for certain—I love life. I love my family, my friends, and the people I work with. And yes, I have colleagues. Beyond teaching meditation, I founded and lead a multi-award-winning residential construction company that I'm genuinely proud of. More on that later.

I love challenging myself and will try almost anything. Surfing, golf, mountain biking, fishing—I dabble in all of it. But spreading myself across so many activities means I've never really mastered any of them. Classic jack of all trades, master of none. (Just don't say that phrase on a building site.)

Music is a constant in my life. There's rarely a moment I'm not listening to something in the background. My taste changes with my mood—one minute I'm head-banging to heavy metal in the truck, the next I'm dancing to pop songs with my kids in the kitchen, then zenning out to classical piano. Whatever it is, I'll find a reason to turn it up louder and get into the groove.

I have a smart, kind, beautiful wife and the most incredible kids. They're my world. We have so much fun together and love going on adventures. But let's be real—lock us in the house too long and we'll fight like cats and dogs.

I've battled with alcohol for as long as I can remember. The drink I used to escape pain would regularly become the source of new pain and suffering. A vicious cycle. I was in denial about it for almost 20 years—until my four-year-old son said something that broke my heart. How did I become this person? What message was I sending my children? From that day, I gave up alcohol for 14 months. I needed to deal with my past and understand that masking pain with drinking served no purpose. Now I can confidently say I enjoy a cold beer or a good cocktail with friends. I've found a balance I didn't know could exist.

I've explored the deeper realms of consciousness through plant medicine, and I believe in the benefits it can offer across many aspects of life.

I've been violent—typical testosterone-fueled adolescent behavior. I've hurt people physically and emotionally. I've treated people with disrespect and made choices that, when I look back, bring guilt and shame. But I know that to become the person I am today, I had to walk the path I walked. That's why I believe I can guide people toward peace and calm in their lives. Because I've brought it into my own.

I used to be stressed, angry, running around like a madman just trying to get through each day. I had everything I needed, yet I was constantly unsatisfied. Always chasing the next goal, the next high, the next thing to bring happiness. But it never came.

It never came because happiness isn't something you obtain by acquiring things or letting go of things. Happiness has to be found within.

I believe that I need to ensure that I am the best version of myself at all times, so that I can give the best of myself to others.  It's not selfish, it's a fact.  So therefore prioritizing my health and wellbeing has become my priority as it has helped me become a better father, husband, sibling, son, friend, leader.
In order to achieve this, my primary practice is Vedic meditation.
Woah hang on…… meditation???  Yes, that's right.  To be honest I'm shocked as much as you.  Who would have thought that a blokey builder who enjoys a bourbon and coke and listens to heavy metal could be a meditation teacher?  Well it’s true.
Of course I had always known about meditation, even tried it a few times but couldn't switch my brain off.  I would sit there going “don't think, don't think, don't think” only to have more thoughts than ever.  So I just accepted that it wasn't for me and must be for devout monks who live in the hills of India or “hippies” from Byron.  Ps- I love Byron.
It wasn't until that by chance (even though we all know nothing in this life happens randomly) I was introduced to Tom Cronin, and he taught me the simple and ancient technique of Vedic Meditation.  From the very first experience I was blown away at the power of being calm and present within my own mind.  No thoughts….how could this be??
Since then I have been absorbing as much not knowledge as I can and attending retreats and doing deep deep work on myself and to be honest……I’m pretty happy with the progress so far.