Your Thrive Coach

Hi, I'm Nick. I'm a nutrition and strength & conditioning coach, and I've just hit the big 5-0. More importantly, I'm someone who had to learn the hard way what it actually takes to build a body that lasts.

Back in 2016, I thought I had it all handled. I was 42, running a freelance graphic design business, coaching CrossFit classes most days, and raising a young family. On the surface I looked fit, active, and in control. But behind the scenes I was running on caffeine, stress, no sleep, and a pretty average diet. I told myself I was fine.

Then one day, everything changed. After coaching a class, I had a full-blown seizure out of nowhere. I was rushed to hospital and told it could be a brain tumour — not the words you want to hear. A few days later, I underwent six-hour brain surgery to remove a cavernoma, a cluster of blood vessels in my brain that had been bleeding. Just like that, life hit pause.

Recovery was brutal — memory loss, balance issues, depression from medication, and a complete loss of confidence. For the first time, I had to face the truth: I wasn't as healthy as I thought. I'd been overtraining, under-recovering, under-fuelling, and living in a constant state of stress. I wasn't building a body that would last — I was slowly breaking it down.

Then in 2018, I had another seizure, this time while driving. That was my second wake-up call. I had a choice: keep going the same way, or completely change how I approached my health and my life.

That's when everything shifted. I stopped chasing intensity and started focusing on sustainability. I cleaned up my nutrition, trained with purpose, prioritised recovery and sleep, reduced stress, and learned what the body actually needs — especially after 40. I stopped trying to push harder and started building smarter.

Today, I'm 50 — stronger, fitter, and healthier than I was in my 20s and 30s. But more importantly, I understand what it takes to build a body that lasts: not one that looks good temporarily, but one that supports your life long-term.

That experience is what led me to create The Thrive Collective. I work with men and women over 40 who are busy, frustrated, and feel like their body is starting to work against them. I get it, because I've been there too.