I was a dominant figure through to the early 2000s as an elite international champion Butterfly swimmer over 50 and 100 metres, becoming, by the age of 25:

• Dual Olympic Silver and Bronze Medallist
• Five times World Champion
• Eight times World Record Holder
• Five times Commonwealth Gold Medallist

And along the way I achieved over 10 Australian National titles. Plus established myself as one of the World’s great Butterfly competitors and a tour de force for Australian swimming.

Then I called it quits when I was 26 and instead of waking at 4am for training, I was coming home from a big night. But now I have my sights set on the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and the 2012 London Olympics.

And I turned my life around and got my life back on track by ditching the diet of alcohol and pizza!

At 30 years of age my biggest step came in October 2008 when NSWIS gave me a scholarship so I could train under Grant Stoelwinder and alongside his Super Squad that includes the likes of Eamon Sullivan.

The good news is that in August 2009 I was back on the winner’s podium with a successful swim at the Australian Short Course Championships in Hobart where I stopped the clock in the 50m Fly in a time of 22.80 which was just .05 sec behind my previous World Record PB time and I also came away with a silver medal!

My 1st medal in 5 years.

Since then I have competed at the recent FINA / ARENA World Cup 2009 circuit and I recorded 5 PB times including 1st in the 50m LC Butterfly – 23.11 (SC 22.50) & 100m LC 51.92 (SC 50.40). Then a gold medal first place in 50m LC Butterfly at the Victorian State Championships Jan 2010…and gold again in 50m LC Fly at the NSW State Championships Feb 2010.

As of March 2010 I am once again the Australian 50m LC Butterfly title holder (23.46) and qualified for the Commonwealth Games Trials / National Championship (March, 2010).

And I am in the Leadership Group as part of a 48-strong swimming squad for October’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

When I started with the squad I weighed in at 115kg’s with skinfolds of 140mm (7 point pinch test). As of this of December 2009 my weight is 95kg’s (more muscle bulk) and skinfolds are 40mm. Sub 50mm is acceptable for Olympians.

Today, I am an Athlete-Entrepreneur with my own company, OPS Consulting, and I am positioning myself within the ranks of the business and corporate world, humanitarian ambassadorships, civic-minded projects, and undertaking socially responsible community outreach initiatives.

OPS Consulting has a unique propriety product for self-improvement and increased performance: Be-Your-Best (BYB) where “inspiration meets perspiration”. BYB is about commanding YOUR Best-Self for optimal “performance” in both mind and body. Our clients include the Commonwealth Bank, Fitness First, and Hittech.

BYB plays to your strengths and be galvanised by a CHAMPION MINDSET at every level, with every objective, in every situation, in any area of your life by applying body, mind and spirit into an unstoppable PERSONAL BEST, in all things, anywhere, anytime.

Partners and alliances as follows:

• 3 year sponsorship consultancy with the Commonwealth Bank Australia involving Be-Your-Best deliverables.

• 3 year sponsorship contract with Fitness First involving Be-Your-Best deliverables, personal appearances, and extended ambassador role for their community programs (FFIT & New You Achievement Awards).

• Foxtel contract.

• TV productions in development swimming content for a major global media partner.

• A reality TV series based in India in development with Matthew Hayden and The Hayden Way Company.

• Ambassador role for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and with the Sir David Martin Foundation.

• Along with Brook Hanson, 2009/10 AUSTSWIM community service announcement to be aired nationally.

And I had the most amazing opportunity in 2008 to help a children’s charity in Fiji. I spent 7 days as host/sports personality in Fiji for the Accor Hotels & Resorts ‘Race to Survive’ charity event working to improve the odds for Fijian children in partnership with Rotary towards funding the basic, life-saving medicines and equipment which they believe, are every child’s right.