CHILDHOOD

I learned to ride a bike shortly after walking. It’s my one true passion & I attribute a lot of my values to immersing myself in the sport of mountain biking. It’s provided me with fitness, community and a career path.

2008 - My friends and I would spend countless hours riding & filming each other; hoping we’d become the next world famous biker. Little did we know, I was on my way to achieving worldwide acclaim for filming, not riding.

2011 - My first paid film gig was at the ripe age of 15. It was the most turnkey moment in my life. With pay reflective of below minimum hourly wage but a burning desire to explore my craft; I was motivated to see how far I could ride this wave. The things you’ll do when you’re young and hungry.

2013 - In my last year of high school my attendance was too poor to pass, so I was given an ultimatum; start attending or find something else constructive. Luckily, I’d already sparked my passion for life and had a career path to follow.

Before we move forward, it’s important to acknowledge that I had a support network and privileged circumstances that allowed me to chase my dreams in my youth. I’m self developed, not self made.

ADULTHOOD

2014 - My first paid filming gig overseas. The Asia Pacific DH Challenge in Bali. A beast of a cinema camera in hand and very little clue how to properly utilise it but you learn pretty quickly if you throw yourself in the deep end.

2015 - A month living and working in the MTB mecca of the southern hemisphere, Queenstown. Riding and filming every day, living the dream!

2015 - First trip to Whistler, the MTB mecca of the southern hemisphere. All expenses paid to fly out and capture Crankworx, the biggest event of its kind globally.

At this stage, all sorts of doors are opening up in the MTB industry but I’m starting to explore other avenues in life and explore myself, my values and broaden my horizons.

I spent a week skating and photographing NYC, solo, at the age of 20. Aussie boy in the big smoke, absolutely loving it and even inspired to try a bit of rooftopping - an epic fail that would motivate me to explore the urbex world religiously for the next 2 years.

This transition from exclusively action sports and nature to urban environments and a good mix of anything that catches my attention has allowed me to develop into a multifaceted artist the likes of which you won’t often stumble upon.

2015/16 -Documented Erebus Motorsport, capturing the race team as they compete in the premier racing class all around Australia

2018 - I’ve been grinding my ass off, working two part time jobs between freelancing to bank as much savings as possible to travel the world. That year I managed to travel to 14 countries, a lot of which were for work. To this day, still the best year of my life. That round the world journey is worthy of its own literature.

TRAGEDY

2019 // I had a bike crash that resulted in a broken back. I was able to safely fly back to Australia, without surgery and minor permanent damage. Within 2 months, I recovered and was back on the bike.

3 months after a broken back, I broke my arm for the third time. When I stood up, I saw my bones sticking out of my arm; dangling by skin and tendons. I was rushed in for surgery and discharged from hospital in 3 days of the injury.

When you’re a freelancer, you often live with sporadic payments and no one to fall back on. Breaking my arm came at a terrible cost of jeapordising a big budget project that would enable me peace of mind for months. Having broken my arm before and underestimating the severity of my injury, I said “fuck it” and went full send on a 6 day shoot, 2 days after surgery.

After the first day shooting, my arm had swollen and turned purple. I was suffering from a severe condition known as compartment syndrome and had it not been addressed as soon as it was, I’d have had my arm amputated. Hearing something like that is bone chilling. It makes you reevaluate your life.

This was another turnkey point where I could no longer neglect my health and maintain my youthful recklessness. Health is wealth and balance is key to unlock that vault. Through some soul searching, I wound up in Uluru for New Years Eve 2020.

2020// Moving out of home and finding my feet during COVID madness was one hell of an exercise in building independence. It was nice living by the ocean for a few months while we saved and prepared for an East Coast road trip for the record books.

Late 2020 // Living out of an overloaded Honda CRV for 3 months on the road is an experience I won’t be replicating again but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 15,000 km later and we’re back home in Wollongong.

NFTS

2021 // Australian citizens have fallen victim to some of the most strict COVID related regulations world wide, which has paralysed my way of life and career. Enter NFTs!

I sat on the sidelines for months; listening and researching until I decided to take the plunge, strike up conversation and build community on platforms like Clubhouse and here on Twitter Space

I identified a gap in the NFT market and it just so happened to be my one true passion. Mountainbike Origins is the first photography collection of its kind on @OpenSea - 

A month passed, no traction on MTB Origins and a closing window of opportunity. I needed to pivot and showcase another skillset. Dronelapsing on @OpenSea was born -

And with its success, a ripple effect occurred. I was being identified as a community leader in both droning and mountain biking. Finally, a platform and community that rewards diversity. There’s space for everyone here. We have opportunities to collaborate instead of competing and it makes a world of difference.

THE FUTURE

So what does the future hold for me? Continuing to share my view of the world through art while motivating, inspiring and helping others to do exactly the same.