20/07/2026
For anyone interested in research, ice hockey, or both: comment “Thesis” and I will send you a copy of my full thesis
Over the past few years, I’ve been balancing three demanding roles at the same time: completing a Master’s by Research, working in professional sport, and running a business.
It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me lessons I’ll carry forward long after the degree.
5 things I learned:
1. Progress beats perfection. Consistent, focused effort over time will always outperform waiting for the “perfect” opportunity to do great work.
2. Your time reflects your priorities. There will never be enough hours in the day, so learning to protect your time and say no is just as important as saying yes to the right opportunities.
3. Theory and practice make each other better. Research challenged my thinking, while working in elite sport and clinical practice allowed me to test ideas in the real world. The combination made both stronger.
4. You don’t have to do everything alone. Mentors, colleagues, clients, and peers all played a part in helping me develop. Asking for support isn’t a weakness.
5. The journey changes you as much as the qualification. The biggest achievement wasn’t just earning a Master’s. It was becoming more resilient, disciplined, curious, and confident in my ability to solve complex problems.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge, late night, and difficult conversation. Balancing research, professional sport, and entrepreneurship wasn’t just about managing competing demands it was about learning how to thrive within them.
