Not every marathon gives you a breakthrough. Some give you a lesson. Newcastle gave me a hard one, but it also gave me a clear path forward.

Somewhere between the early morning runs, late-night rides, and long café sits, I realised travel isn’t about ticking off landmarks-it’s about how you experience a place. This trip taught me five simple shifts that turned cities into something more than destinations… they started to feel like somewhere I belonged.

Most people think I overthink.

But what I’ve realised is that I’m not overthinking—I’m preparing.

Instead of reacting to what’s in front of me, I’ve usually already asked: what if this changes, and what would I do if it does? That small shift creates options, and in a world where things rarely go to plan, having options is everything.

To most people, 11 kilometres across London is a commute.
To a runner, it’s an opportunity—one to see the city differently.

Real change doesn’t come from big dramatic moments — it comes from showing up for the small, boring things every day. This is how running, making my bed, and a simple habit tracker helped me build momentum and become more intentional with my life.

Running taught me more than how to move faster. It taught me how to live better.
From showing up on hard days to embracing discomfort and setbacks, these lessons go far beyond the road. The medal isn’t for race day — it’s for the journey.

After months of hard training and early mornings, I finally broke the 3:30 barrier — but not before battling a sleepless night, car revvers, and a tightening hamstring that nearly ended it all. From a ferry ride start to finding rhythm with the 3:30 pacer, the Auckland Marathon threw up every challenge imaginable. Here’s how I held it together, found my stride, and finished stronger than I thought possible.

After a long pause, Michael Eggins Coffee is back in action! From award-winning roasts to the joy of crafting and sharing coffee, the roastery is up and running again, bringing passion and flavor back to every batch.

I never thought watching planes could be thrilling—until I stumbled onto live streams of Heathrow and Sydney Airport. Giant A380s skimming overhead, crosswinds, go-arounds—it’s addictive. What started as curiosity turned into a full-blown hobby, family fun, and a new way to see airports. Here’s how plane spotting changed everything.

It started with a 4:30 a.m. alarm and a nervous train ride into the city. By the time the gun went off at the Sydney 10K, the crowd’s energy was electric — and my son Sebastian was already flying down the hill ahead of me. What followed was one of our best race days yet, full of pace, PBs, and plenty of smiles.

After missing my goal at Canberra, I gave myself 100 days to turn things around. The Sunshine Coast Marathon was my redemption shot — flat roads, sea breeze, and one simple mission: prove I could do better. What happened next surprised even me.