“I think, therefore I am.”
— René Descartes, Discourse on the Method (1637)
Public Health & Mental Health Research
I had the opportunity to work as a Research Assistant at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH) at the University of Melbourne. Collaborating with researchers like Professor Jane Pirkis, Dallas English, Professor Gary Freed, and author Robert Lukins, I contributed to several major projects focused on mental health and suicide prevention. This role helped me develop a solid research foundation while contributing to work that genuinely mattered.
One highlight was my work under Professor Freed at the paediatric emergency department at the Austin Hospital. I was involved in a study on low-level triage cases, which gave me hands-on insight into why children present to emergency care, ranging from acute injuries to respiratory and infectious issues. Working closely with medical staff, I saw the human side of policy problems like hospital overcrowding and gained empathy for children and families navigating distressing experiences.
Suicide Prevention & Media Impact
With Professor Pirkis, I researched how media reporting affects suicide rates, especially around high-profile cases like Robin Williams. It became clear how powerful media narratives are in shaping public mental health. While I don’t support censorship, this work strengthened my belief in ethical and compassionate reporting, especially when it comes to vulnerable audiences.
Men’s Mental Health
I was also involved in Ten to Men, a major longitudinal study of men’s mental health. Through qualitative reporting and analysis, I developed a deeper understanding of the structural and social challenges that men face. Drawing on my background in sociology, I became interested in what I now refer to as “mental hygiene” for men. That research directly inspired Metal4Mental, a free fitness workshop I launched during my Strength Coach internship at Praxis Athletic, designed to foster resilience and community through training.
Psychology, Resilience & Recovery
My interest in mental health has always been personal. A major hip injury during a high school athletics carnival marked the beginning of a long recovery journey, which included a sacral buckle fracture, high ankle fracture (with emergency transport), and a head injury that required cosmetic surgery. During this time, I worked with a sports psychologist in Prahran and learned invaluable mental tools—positive self-talk, visualisation, and arousal regulation—which I now incorporate into the support and coaching I provide to others.
I also pursued my own mental health journey, working with professionals across psychiatry and psychology, including clinicians like Simone Farrelly (King’s College, London) and Dr Niraj Sareen (FRANZCP). These experiences shaped my approach to mental health and recovery and inform my current work supporting others through complex emotional or psychiatric challenges.
Disability Support Work
My commitment to disability support grew from a life-changing role as the primary carer for a man in Albert Park who had survived clinical death and sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI). Despite dire prognoses, he recovered significant function under my care. I took over his rehabilitation from a physiotherapy provider, creating a personalised plan based on strength training, mobility work, and structured social support. He eventually moved from cane-assisted walking to walking independently. That experience affirmed my sense of purpose in this field.
To date, I’ve logged over 1,000 hours of disability support work, assisting clients living with a range of challenges, autism, schizoaffective disorder, ABI, addiction, learning difficulties, dementia, fibromyalgia, homelessness, and more. My work is client-led and trauma-informed, with a focus on building independence and quality of life. I also liaise with GPs, Centrelink, Services Australia, and other agencies to advocate for clients and assist them in navigating complex systems.
Lived Experience of Rehabilitation
My understanding of rehabilitation and injury management is informed not only by professional training, but also by being a long-term client. I’ve completed over 100 sessions with Durham McInnis (Core Advantage), 100 with chiropractor Martin Harvey (Victorian Chiropractor of the Year), and 50+ with AFL physiotherapist Simon Anning. These sessions have given me direct experience in what effective rehab looks like, and that knowledge is something I pass on in my coaching and support work.
From research and clinical settings to gym floors and client homes, my focus has always been on helping people face challenges with strength, insight, and dignity. Whether I’m assisting someone with mental health struggles, designing a rehabilitation plan, or simply showing up consistently as a support worker, my goal remains the same: to be a steady presence when it matters.