My path to counseling did not start in the conventional way. In fact, for a long time, I actively avoided the industry altogether.

As a teenager navigating some dark times and personal struggles, I gave counseling a try—and it didn't work for me. Looking back, I realize now that it wasn't the concept of counseling that was broken; I just didn't have the right counselor. For years, I carried a harsh stigma against the entire profession. I assumed therapy just meant sitting in a soft room, being nodded at, and talking in circles. I found a way out of some very hard times through taking action, self-development, changing my social circles, and a love of physical training - leading me to working in the fitness industry.

For years, working as a personal trainer and coach, I quickly noticed a pattern: the real heavy lifting wasn't happening with the weights. It was happening in the conversations between sets.

People were constantly unloading the heavy mental weight they were carrying outside the gym. They didn't want a sterile evaluation; they just needed someone who listened to their issues, and circumstance, and then worked with them to collaboratively find a plan and way forward. I realized that physical health means very little without the mental leverage to back it up, and I found I really enjoyed supporting people outside of gym programs, inspiring me to transition into professional counseling.

I went into studying Counseling, with additional university studies in Philosophy and Criminology. The moment I could, I started working in the counseling space, finding roles for national NFP’s, private organisations, and delivering workshops for local goverment and community groups - with a specific focus on men’s mental health.

Today, I am an ACA-registered counselor, a mental health practioner, co-founder of a men’s mental health initiative, and studying my Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling.