I am a Chartered Psychologist and a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training.
As a sport psychologist in training, I blend evidence-based psychological principles with firsthand experience of elite sport to deliver impactful support across individual, team, and organisational contexts. My approach helps clients understand the vital connection between psychological functioning and performance outcomes, while nurturing sustainable wellbeing. Through collaborative partnerships, we implement proven strategies that not only prepare for success but create the foundations for long-term excellence.
My passion for sport psychology emerged during my career as a professional rugby player in South Africa, where I represented the University of Cape Town, Western Province Rugby, Eastern Province, and Griquas. Following a serious injury, I seized an opportunity to rebuild my career in France, playing there for several seasons until a repeat injury led to my retirement. Throughout this journey, I had the privilege of representing Zimbabwe at senior international level.
During my 12-year rugby career, I experienced firsthand the mental challenges of elite sport, which ignited my desire to help others navigate the demands of high-performance environments. This unique blend of personal experience and professional interest laid the foundation for my transition from athlete to sport psychologist.
Guided by this passion, I completed my BSc (Honours) in Psychology while still playing professional rugby. After retirement, I pursued an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology, followed by a PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology. My doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with the UK Sports Institute, examined several Olympic Sport Organisations to understand how they create environments that promote holistic talent development. The findings have informed the formation of optimal talent development environments that foster both sustained performance excellence and athlete wellbeing. This work has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee and nominated for the British Psychological Society PhD Thesis of the Year Award.
Today, I maintain an active consultancy supporting clients and teams across various elite sports, including rugby, golf, and athletics. I also serve as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Sussex, where I lead sport psychology modules exploring the psychological principles underpinning elite performance in individuals and teams. In this role, I supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research students while pursuing my own research agenda on thriving in elite sport organisations, contributing peer-reviewed publications to our field's growing body of knowledge.
Publications and Media
Guest appearance on the Sport Psych Show podcast
Featured in an article on culture change in Elite Football
See my publications and research profile here.