Some background
A late starter
I left school with no ideas about a career. Drifted into retailed banking, then international trade. After having an epiphany in 1997 (age 30), I decided to go to university in 1998 to study psychology. When the time came I decided against pursuing a clinical career and, instead, followed my interests in motivation and goal striving.
After completing my Bachelors, Masters and PhD, I specialised in coaching psychology and focused mainly on its various applications within organisations & workplaces. Since receiving my PhD in 2006, I have held academic positions at the Coaching Psychology Unit, University of Sydney (2008-2011) and Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong (2011-2020).
New directions
I’ve always been a keen learner. Ever since developing and teaching a course on the Psychology of Peak Performance in 2009 at the University of Sydney, I’ve become increasingly fascinated by the impact that psychological and physical health have on performance. So much so that in 2018 - more than 12 years after saying ‘I’ll never do another degree’ - I found myself sitting in a human anatomy lecture, beginning a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science. This has been nothing short of a revelation!
With the end now in sight, I’ve begun to fuse psychology and exercise science together through my recently published book, Get Moving, Keep Moving. But I wanted to do more than write a book, so I’ve developed a new program and invite you to follow my new Facebook page: The Healthy Ageing Project.
‘Gordy’ is just fine
I live on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW, with my wonderful wife, Anita (we’ve just celebrated 21 years), my son Riley (15), my daughter Ella (13) & our fluffy pooch Oscar. I’m an avid runner, who likes to switch between track, road and trail. At other times I enjoy swimming, occasionally swinging a golf club, listening to a diverse range of music, watching any movie by the Coen Brothers, and trying hard not to mess up DIY projects I decide to take on.
I also like to make community contributions whenever I can. At various times over the past 20 years, I’ve been a LifeLine telephone counsellor, a Camp Quality companion, a Primary Ethics Teacher, a running coach for the Can Too Foundation, & an Event Director for Parkrun Australia.