My Story

Where It All Began

My journey in sport started on the football pitch. From a young age, I was fascinated by performance — not just the physical side, but what went on in the mind. Football took me to some incredible places: Iceland, Australia, and the United States, where I competed at the highest level on a Division I scholarship in Virginia.​ Those years shaped who I am today. I experienced the highs of achievement and the lows of self-doubt, often putting huge pressure on myself to succeed. Like many athletes, I became caught up in overthinking, perfectionism, and fear of failure — and that’s what first drew me to psychology.

From Athlete to Psychologist

After returning to the UK, I wanted to understand the mental side of performance more deeply. This led me to complete an MSc in Performance Psychology, and a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology where I explored the links between perfectionism, overthinking, and emotions in youth footballers. My research opened my eyes to how common these experiences are and how powerful psychological tools can be in helping people manage them. I now use this knowledge to help others develop healthier, more balanced relationships with sport, performance, and themselves.

Building My Practice

Today, I’m a Practitioner Psychologist (Health and Care Professions Council Registration: PYL046336), a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Newcastle University, and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society. My work combines academic research with real-world experience, allowing me to support athletes, coaches, students, and professionals in managing pressure, building resilience, and finding confidence.

A Holistic Approach

Alongside my psychology work, I am a qualified yoga teacher (200-hour training). My yoga teaching weaves together mindfulness, breathing techniques, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles to enhance awareness and psychological flexibility. I’ve seen how combining body-based and psychological approaches can profoundly improve wellbeing and performance — helping people feel more grounded, calm, and capable both on and off the field.

My Philosophy

My approach is all about helping people achieve their potential without sacrificing their wellbeing. Whether you’re an athlete striving for peak performance or someone navigating life’s challenges, I aim to give you practical, evidence-based tools to manage anxiety, unhook from self-criticism, and act in line with your values.  Because when you feel confident in who you are — not just in what you achieve — that’s when true performance and fulfilment begin.