Hello

My Story

From the Rugby Pitch to Performance Psychology

Since I was a kid, sport (particularly rugby) has been at the centre of my life. Like most, I started in grassroots rugby, falling in love with the game early on. I wasn’t the most naturally gifted player (no blistering pace, no outrageous step, no bouldering strength), but what I did have in my favour, was that I could work hard, and I had a genuine love for what I was doing. Whether it was training in the cold, pushing through exhaustion, or just refusing to quit, my persistence became my biggest strength.

That persistence led to an opportunity that changed my life. A coach from my secondary school suggested I trial for a private school known for its rugby program. One scholarship later, I found myself at Seaford College, a place I never expected to be, and this helped me to develop myself to the point where university became a possibility. Coming from a background where private school and university were extremely far from the norm, this was a game-changer for me. I was the first in my family to have the opportunity to attend such an institute. This is to say, sport didn’t just shape my performance, it shaped my future.

The Turning Point: Discovering Sport Psychology

I originally went to Hartpury University (admittedly) with dreams of playing professional rugby. That was the goal. But while there, I discovered sport and exercise psychology, a field that would completely shift my focus. I earned my BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Psychology with first class honours, followed by a Master’s in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Leeds Beckett University while competing at BUCS Super Rugby and National 1 levels. Following this I went on to play National 2 level rugby before starting the Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR) with the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES). 

Looking back, my first real experience with sport psychology wasn’t in a lecture hall. It was on the pitch. As a hooker in rugby, my job included throwing in at the lineout. I took it very seriously. I would spend hours practicing, throwing ball after ball at a basketball hoop in the park, determined to hit the perfect spot.

I had a… sort of… exiting ritual for these practice sessions: I would tell myself, I was not allowed to leave until I hit 10, 15, 20 perfect throws in a row. Sometimes, I’d be 80% through, miss slightly, and start all over again, staying out for another 45 minutes or more until exhaustion, hunger or the fear of mum telling me off for being out too late forced me home.

All that practice should have made me elite… right? And yet, in a match situation, under pressure, my accuracy would drop significantly. I didn’t understand why. Now, with a tad more knowledge and experience, I recognise this as performance anxiety and overtraining in isolation without any realistic pressure causing me to crumble when real pressure set in. 

My Approach: Performance, Resilience, and Growth

Now, as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist (in Training), I take an integrative approach, drawing from multiple frameworks to tailor support to each athlete’s unique needs. My practice philosophy is strongly aligned with humanistic and holistic principles, prioritising the growth of the whole individual, recognising that performance, well-being, and personal development are deeply interconnected. While I look to incorporate various evidence-based methods, I currently favour Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a guiding framework, alongside approaches that support resilience, self-determination, and psychological flexibility.

I aim to help athletes, coaches, teams, and organisations perform under pressure, build mental resilience, and optimise their environment for sustained success.