Start Before You're Ready

CHAPTER 2Making dreams come true

It was 2012 and I was choosing what to study at university. I thought a Sports Science degree would be a good marriage of my passions, but I had only gotten 44 per cent in my Grade 12 exams, and I needed at least 65 per cent to get into Sports Science. Surely I could find a way. I picked up the phone and called the convener, negotiating with him that I would help to better the look of the degree to other students, and would give as many volunteer hours as needed, in return for a place. He was impressed with my guts and that I was committed to adding value to them by helping out for free — so he gave me a place! I was pumped.

I set my sights on a 10-year goal of finishing my Sports Science degree, doing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and then opening a franchise network of physios around Australia. But just like I hadn’t done well academically at school, university turned out to be no different. The one thing I did well was connect with people at my uni, both in my peer groups and among my teachers. My nickname from high school, ‘Mick on the go’, carried across to uni. I was known for my high energy and passion, and that I was always on the go. Socially, things were great. I was young, single and ambitious. I was learning a lot about life really quickly: learning what I wanted and what I didn’t want.

I remember one special day, walking into a class and seeing blond hair, beautiful blue eyes and a gorgeous, smiling girl. I immediately introduced ...