SPORTS MIND GAME

John has been a sports motivator and mind game trainer for over 20 years. He has devised and facilitated hundred's of personalised motivation (mind) strategies for elite athletes. The athletes have participated in sports as diverse as football, gymnastics, cricket, rugby, soccer, surfing, swimming, tennis, basketball and golf.

John's Eastern philosophical inclination and insights have catapulted him into National and International prominence as a Sports Motivator with a clear difference.

He is a leader in his field!

Some of the athletes and teams John has worked with:

• Nick Rizzo, Sydney Olympian - capped thirty times for Australia in soccer; now plays with Milton Keys (formerly Wimbledon) in   England.
• Samantha Gale - NSW and Australian Hockey Representative.
• Wendy Doolan, LPGA golfer, who won the 2004 Evian Masters ($326,000US).
• Ashad Munas- NSW Cricket Rep and State 100m & 200m Rep.
• Da Silva Tennis Academy.
• Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation.
• Waverley College: First's Rugby, 16A's Rugby and First XI Soccer.
• Nancy Kemp-Arendt - Luxembourg (2000 Olympics Triathlete)
• Hanny Zahra & Kelly Shimmings, Aust. (No. 1 Male and Female Open Karate Champions both former Junior World   Champions).
• Shelly Sandie, Aust. (2000 Olympics Basketball- dual Olympic silver medallist)
• The NSW Karate Team
• Leigh Marning, Aust. (3 times National Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion & dual Commonwealth Games silver medallist)
• Yasmin Dunn - World Cup Swimming Representative.
• Eastern Suburbs Rugby Colts.
• Eastern Edge Elite Swim Team - 3 National Champions.
• National and World Aerobic Champions
• Tyson Williams, Aust. (World Body Board Champion)
• Clancy Pye, Aust (NSW Surf Board Champion)
• Iron Men & Women in Uncle Toby's Series 2000, 2001   

• Shaun O'Connor- 2007/2008 Australian Mountain Bike Champion        

• Bronte Surf Life Saving Club Teams 2007

Approach.
John draws upon Zen concepts based on years of Martial Arts training, competing and instructing.

"The power of positive thinking is just the 'tip of the iceberg' of what goes on in the mind of a champion",John stresses.

He goes on to say,"To be sensational at anything you must commit every molecule of your being to your desired goal. And, all of that must be done with a lightness of spirit."

John believes - "The absolute key to success in my field is to clearly understand the individual I am working with and thereby identify the best of that person in respect to their mind, body, spirit and emotions. It's not about me telling the person 'the way' but rather it's about formulating a unique path for the athlete to proceed on and to live by. Once that is established it's as simple as following a formula. You just keep repeating the best of yourself knowing that with every breath you just get closer to your ultimate aim. I help to facilitate the brilliance of every one that chooses to work with me. I end up being part of that person's inner circle of success! Exciting stuff"!

Being an Athlete
John has a prolific record as a martial artist with over 2 decades of competition. As a 3rd dan Black Belt of Goju Karate, he represented his state on 14 occasions. During this time, he won 3 state titles and ranked in the top 4 in Australia on numerous occasions.

During one of those State victories, John tipped the scales just over 80 kg, which placed him into the heavy weight division. Much to John's surprise, waiting for him in the final that year, weighing in at a lean 100kg, towering at 6f 5" was a bloke called Dolph Ludgren who played 'Drago' in Rocky 4. John overcame the man mountain in a painful encounter, one that goes down as a major milestone in his fighting career.

In the year of his retirement, aged 38, John earned a respected 4th place at the Nationals in the 'Open' of all weights, all ages from over 40 karate styles in Australia. In the same year, John won a silver medal in the Veteran's Heavy Weight Competition.

Moreover, twice John won the National all-comers Kick Boxing competition as a middleweight. On his third defense, he lost in the final in a split decision to an internationally ranked fighter.

John believes, "I distinguished myself in Martial Arts by clearly identifying my goals, developing unique training methods, being disciplined and passionately enthusiastic".

"When I came out of retirement at 33, I committed myself to trying all the principles I practiced, shared and believed in with my elite athletes".

Note: "in the first phase of my career - 18 - 24 years, I'd do thousands of kicks and little-to-no mind training whereas at 33 I completely turned this around - I committed to 95% mind and 5% body".

"And given the results of my personal research, I am convinced of the power of the mind. I believe that I have developed a comprehensive system to assist any athlete to reach their ultimate goal".

John's other sports.
At an early age, John played Rugby League and Soccer. He played in the S.G Ball competition for Western Suburbs in Sydney and was graded for Sydney United (soccer) at 15.

Also, an avid runner throughout his late 20's and 30's, John's greatest achievement was to run his 'one and only' half marathon in 83 mins.

Now John enjoys walking zealously, continuing his Martial Arts practices, wrestling with his powerhouse son Jack and surfing the waves of the East Coast of Australia when the opportunity arises.