F. A. Q.

How did you get into Triathlon? I entered my first triathlon when I was 16 years old and still at High School. I was a team member and raced the swim leg only. I've been competing in Triathlon ever since.

What do you love about this Sport? I have always wanted to compete at the very highest level in Sport. When I discovered triathlon I was confronted with the challenge of trying to excel in three different sports combined into just one - but it's this diversity of three disciplines that's addictive - there's always this balancing act - trying to get all three going well & in unison. This is the fun part of the sport - it's like a dangling carrot that you're just not quite getting - and I enjoy that.

Which leg of triathlon do you prefer? (Swim, Bike or Run) I'd have to say swimming - probably because it's the most natural & familiar to me since it's what I grew up doing the most. It's also what I find the most comfortable. I have no real preference & I enjoy all three disciplines. That's the beauty of what I do for my sporting life - but to remain competitive I must not have a preferred race-leg because my opposition would exploit it.

What's been your toughest race and why? Probably a 2007 World Cup race in Iowa USA because I was suffering from undiagnosed Sport induced Asthma. It was a new event on a tough new course, extremely dry, hot, dusty & windy. I just couldn't get enough air to breathe and didn't understand what was wrong with me. It was the only race my Coach stopped me from trying to finish. Since then I have been to a clinic that can reproduce the effect, and now I take an approved inhale Asthma medication.

Who's your toughest competitor and why? Oh, that's my inner self - because it just won't allow me to consider giving up.

Do you ever get nervous before an event? I think everyone gets nervous to some degree, but it's how you harness that energy that's important. I think you just have to look at it when race day comes because once you're on the start line, there's nothing in training or your preparation that you can change now. That's the attitude I take into races.

Have you any good training tips? Well there's a razor sharp edge between hard training & tipping over that border into injury. So don't over-train, listen to your body, always use top quality running shoes like ASICS, and finish off with an 'iCOOL' ice bath.

Any good Nutrition tips? Yes, I’ve relied on the live natural raw ingredients in MEGABURN nutrition products for the past 6 years to give me the goodness and strength I need. Their great products are convenient to carry and help me deal with hunger-bonks.

What are your proudest moments as an International Champion? I am always very honoured to represent my country – most especially when won Gold Medals at three World Triathlon Championships & the Commonwealth Games Triathlon.

Besides Triathlon, what other sports do you enjoy? I like basketball, skiing, wake boarding – but most of all I love surfing.

Describe your typical day? I rise at 5:30am, go swim-training; Breakfast; nap; ride; Lunch; nap; run-train; Dinner; then sleep.

Greatest influences on your triathlon career? All of my past & present patient, clever & caring Coaches, such as Hugh
Simpson, Jan Green, Brian Chapman, Bill & Joyce Richards, Jenny Alcorn, Jackie Fairweather, Bill Davoren, Brett Sutton,
Craig Walton, Dennis Cottrell just to name some.

What is your favourite race in the whole world? The NOOSA International Triathlon festival on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

If you weren't a Triathlete what would you be: Definitely not someone idle. Professional surfing would be pretty cool; I'm not good at it, but it sounds great, doesn't it? Sometimes I think I'd like to own a Gourmet Café - but I'd eat all the profits.

What was your worst 'blunder' during a race? I put my feet into the wrong shoes during a transition from bike to run.

And your most embarrassing sports moment? Not unclipping my SIDI bike shoes at a stop light when I was learning to ride my first ever racing road bike – I did a slow sideways tree-crash to the bitumen with both feet still firmly fixed to my pedals.

Where is your favourite bike ride? Out through the Gold Coast hinterland rain-forests and loop up and over the State border.

What do you do during your spare time? I have a black-belt in shopping so I need to get lots of practice. I just love to shop (for clothes, food, music, magazines & books) – and if there is a spare moment I play games with my little dog named Jett.

When you need to escape & settle into a good book, what do you like to read? Anything by Harlan Coben.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, mainly because I love dolphins and seals.

What music do you listen to when you're training? LOUD fast music that's and got a good beat & some aggression in it – like AC/DC

What is your favourite chill out music? Ben Harper plus Angus & Julia Stone, but I’m a bit of a Jazz fan & also like Dave Brubeck.

Who are your favourite sports hero's? In the men it’s Lance Armstrong & Craig Walton. In the women it’s Susie O’Neill & Dawn Fraser - but really, any genuine healthy sportsperson who takes themselves to the limit of their personal ability – and suffers a little hurt along the way – is a sports hero to me.

What clothing brands do you like to wear? Kookai, MNG, Sass & Bide. . . .and shoes? Mollini, Diesel, Onitsuka Tiger.

What is the name of your favourite shades? OAKLEY because they have the latest and best styles in casual sunglass protection - plus they have the very best designed and practical sporting eyewear.

When you food binge, what do you reach for? Binge eating is not often something I’m able to do because of training, but I love Chocolate and sometimes go for the Large Coke & Pizza after a big race.

What are your future goals? I’m very achievement orientated and get bored easily - so I like to set new goals for the future immediately after attaining old ones. This keeps me on my toes.

What TV shows do you get your family tape for you when you're racing overseas? I’m a fan of ‘Desperate Housewives’ & ‘Grey's Anatomy’.

If you could only eat one thing right now, what would that be? That’s a tricky question because I’m known to be a voracious eater – but my Mum's “Spinach gruyere-cheese tart” and a big serve of “sticky date pudding” would rank right up there if I have to choose.