When did you decide you wanted to train and what made you decide to do so? 

Years ago, when I trained every day religiously, my friend saw how much passion I had for training and told me about the fitness institute college in Sydney. I took a look and joined their studies. So here I am helping people achieve what I achieved.

Tell us about growing up in Australia?

Growing up in Australia means eating vegemite on toast for breakfast, walking in your flip flops to the local fish and chip shop, turning up to a friends barbie (grillout) with a case of beer and no food and lying on the beach all weekend long. This is life in Australia… it seems much more simple than here in the states.

Tell us how much better it is training in Nashville.  Ha.  Just kidding.  What’s it like working with Americans versus Australians?

Training in Australia was different to here in Nashville. I conducted most of my sessions at outdoor parks as the weather is consistent and allows you to do so. The training here at Lean is much more technical and has more purpose to it I believe. Australia’s are more laid back than Americans I tend to notice. Americans talk food; we talk beer. Americans drive; we walk. Americans complain more but not directly to the person they are complaining about, but to someone else. This is the strangest thing??, ha. Overall Americans are very thoughtful and courteous more than the average Australian. These are the main difference I have noticed coming from the outside and looking in.

What elements do you focus on the most in your personal training sessions?

I focus on core strength, identifying & correcting muscle imbalances and muscle strength & endurance training.

How do you select exercises for each client you train?

Well that depends on the client. Depending on their level they are at and any restrictions they may have, I prescribe each client with their own individual program. A beginner client will start with a full body spread of the workload and progress into overloading the same muscle groups with a variety of exercises.

You tell your clients they’re in for a “flogging”. That’s an Australian term – is it good or bad for the client?

A flogging is a great thing! It means you are going to get your butt kicked. You will get your money’s worth and a great session. A flogging is not for everybody though, ha.

Tell us about your family.

I have an older brother and 2 younger sisters who live near my Mom in South East Australia. My dad lives in Long Island NY. My brother has 4 young boys and one of my sisters has a baby on the way. I live here in Nashville with my wife Brandi and 2 kids, Taylor and Cayden. We have another baby on the way!

If you could get each of your clients to do one thing (other than train with you) for their fitness program, what would it be?

Work on Nutrition more. A lot of people work hard at the training but lack the correct nutrition to get the best result possible.

Are your clients allowed to eat Tim Tam’s?

Only one per week!

What is your background in fitness, both school-related and life experience?

My background in fitness starts with athletics in high school and college, followed by my military training as a rescue swimmer and aircrew.  Following the military I knew that I wanted to compete in something that would be just as challenging as my training had been that's when I decided to train for figure competitions. It was imperative that I stay committed to fitness as I am genetically predisposed to heart disease.

What is the most inspiring trait you see in a client?

The most inspiring trait I see in a client is trust. If I can get them to trust me, they will get the results they want.

What approach have you found to be the best for helping ensure fitness progress?

I have found that a no nonsense yet compassionate approach is more often the best to have.

How does training for your own personal competitions parallel training for your clients?

Training for my own competitions parallels with training my clients in that they observe my body fat changes and are therein encouraged to train harder and eat cleaner

If you could get all of your clients to do one thing that will make them healthier, what would that be?

If I could get all my clients to do one thing that would make them healthier it would be to eat small meals more often.

Okay, you're stranded on a desert island.  Do you want protein or Starbucks?

Does that coffee come with a shot of protein? Ha ha ha