1. What first drew you to surf life saving and eventually to becoming an Ironwoman?
Like many Australian children, I was introduced to Nippers at a young age as a way
to develop ocean safety skills. What began as a safety initiative quickly became a
regular family activity, our Sundays spent at the beach alongside cousins and
school friends. For me, it was less about competition and more a social gathering
with friends.
In truth, I disliked many aspects of Nippers growing up: the sand, large surf, and
swimming. I only really enjoyed the shallow wades and board paddling when
conditions were calm. I have vivid memories of sitting on the beach in tears during
board training because the surf felt overwhelming, watching my younger sister
confidently head out in large swells while I remained closer to shore, practicing
bunny hops and wading with the under-8s.
This pattern continued until the under-15s, when my coach, Jack, began pushing me
outside the break. I was not allowed to return to shore until I had successfully
negotiated the surf at least twice. Ironically, those challenging experiences laid the
foundation for what would later become some of my strongest Ironwoman and board
performances, particularly in large surf conditions.
Initially, my participation in carnivals was driven more by convenience and social
connection than competitive ambition. I attended many events primarily to spend
time with friends and socialise afterward rather than to focus on results.
Nevertheless, I always gave my best effort, having grown up alongside athletes such
as Lani Pallister and Holly Williams, and I did not want to let my team down.
Over time, I unexpectedly emerged as one of the stronger junior athletes progressing
through the ranks, something I still find surprising. I eventually qualified at a trial for
the series, and from there, the journey unfolded naturally. Competing at that level
was never an explicit goal; it evolved organically, and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. You've race at elite levels from a young age, did you ever imagine you'd end up where you are now?
From a young age, I never aspired to compete in sport at an elite level. I was
content participating for the social aspect and as a way to balance my studies.
I naturally progressed in the sport and qualified for a series round at the age
of 16, without having set that as a specific goal.
As a child, I always envisioned myself travelling and supporting friends who
excelled in their respective disciplines, such as soccer and ballet. I often told
my mother that I would simply travel the world following their careers. In many
ways, my own involvement at a higher level developed organically rather than
by deliberate pursuit.
3. What is your favourite race format or event in the World Ocean Series and why?
My preferred World Ocean Series format would be the M-shape eliminator,
although it has not been run for several years. While I never had the
opportunity to compete in this format, I believe it would be particularly
engaging and enjoyable to participate in. In general, I am most drawn to
shorter, high-intensity formats rather than endurance-based events. As the
longer race puts more significant strain on my body and I don't like the feeling
of discomfort through those events.
4. Training as an Ironwoman is intense, what does a typical week look like for you?
A typical training week for me consists of five swim sessions, two gym
sessions, one run, three ski sessions, two board sessions, and one iron
session. In addition, I am currently rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, which
includes two exercise physiology (EP) sessions per week
5. What part of the Ironwoman do you enjoy the most the swim, board, ski or run?
I thoroughly enjoy the board leg of the Ironwoman event.
6. How do you mentally prepare for a big race day?
I mentally prepare for race day by keeping my approach simple and familiar.
In the days leading into the event, I focus on routine and preparation rather
than the outcome, trusting the work I have done in training. On race day, I
break the race down into manageable segments and concentrate on
executing my skills one stage at a time. Staying calm, excessive amounts of
sh*t talking to teammates, controlling what I can, and remaining adaptable to
conditions helps me stay focused and confident under pressure.
7. You’ve battled injuries and setbacks; how do you stay motivated when things get tough?
To be candid, experiencing moments of emotional difficulty (Menty B or
mental breakdown) has, in some ways, helped me regain motivation. While
not ideal, these moments often prompt my mother to offer direct and
sometimes uncomfortable realities that help me refocus and re-engage with
my injury rehabilitation, training, and the process of filtering out the frustration
that can arise when working within a highly competitive squad.
8. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given during your sporting journey?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is that every setback in your past
shapes the opportunity for your comeback. Challenges and obstacles are not
just difficulties, they’re lessons that prepare you for future success.
9. When you’re in the middle of a hard race or tough training block, what keeps you going?
What keeps me motivated are the small rewards I plan for myself after a race
or training block. For example, after racing I look forward to indulging in some
fast food, and I also always have a holiday booked or social activities with
friends outside of clubbies, which gives me something to look forward to and
helps me switch focus and recharge.
10. Is there a mantra or quote that you come back to when you're feeling challenged?
I believe it would be the same as the most valuable piece of advice I have
received: every setback you encounter helps shape the opportunity for your
comeback. Challenges and obstacles are not merely difficulties; they are
formative experiences that equip you with the insight and resilience necessary
for future success.
11. How has your work as a nurse influenced your approach to training and competition?
Working as a nurse has had a big impact on my approach to training and
competition. The unpredictable nature of shifts has taught me to adapt quickly
to changing circumstances, and managing a busy schedule has honed my
time-management skills. These experiences make me more flexible and
efficient in planning training, adjusting on the fly when unexpected events
arise, and staying focused under pressure during competition.
12. When you’re not training or racing, how do you unwind or relax?
When I’m not racing or training, I enjoy unwinding by playing card games with
my family, friends, and partner; our family is very competitive, so we always
play to win. I also enjoy going out for dinners with friends and exploring new
experiences along the coast, such as visiting escape rooms, discovering
waterfalls, or trying high ropes courses.
13. You've travelled around Europe, what’s one of your favourite memories from those trips?
I have countless memorable experiences across Europe, each so unique that
it’s impossible to select just a few favourites. Many of the moments that were
the most stressful at the time have since become my most cherished stories.
Highlights include clubbing in a medieval castle, inadvertently walking into
gang territory, staying in an Airbnb later revealed to be connected to
organised crime, a police search for drug smuggling in Croatia prior to an
overnight bus journey, hiking the cliffs along the Amalfi Coast, and
experiencing an earthquake while on an overnight ferry in Greece. In addition
to these adventures, I also enjoy all the classic tourist experiences, such as
sampling traditional foods and exploring diverse cultural ways of life.
14. If you weren’t a surf Ironwoman or nurse right now, what would you love to be doing?
If I weren’t an Ironwoman or a nurse, I would hope to be living outside of
Australia, enjoying my best life with the freedom to travel extensively. I
imagine embracing new countries and cultures, remaining largely anonymous,
and fully immersing myself in what would feel like one long, unforgettable
adventure.
15. What is something about you most people don’t know but would be surprised to learn?
I have a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which affects my
connective tissues. Because of this, I have chronic pain and fatigue, my joints are
extra flexible and my tissues more fragile, making me prone to injuries that might
look “accidental” to others. It’s not just clumsiness or being overly cautious into a
carnival, it’s bad genetics passed down from my mother that I have to manage
symptoms every day.
