I am not passionate about grapefruit (I find it distasteful), I don’t want to be pigeon-holed (it sounds painful), and sometimes I’m not sure I understand whimsy (you be the judge).What I am unreservedly passionate about is the achievement of one's full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world (Abraham Maslow called it self-actualization).Founder of a real estate investment company, I'm a former semi-professional rugby league player (but lousy disc golfer). A once-avid surfer, I relocated from Australia to Minnesota five years ago to be close to family (yep, I love ’em that much). I’ve become a big fan of lakes.A journalist by my first profession, I'm an imaginative and relentless thinker, bold communicator (some would say chronic oversharer), and an engaging professional writer and editor. My work has been published in USA Today and appeared widely online and in print in the US, Canada and Australia.I admit to not trying hard enough during my first degree at college, but have been an unyielding autodidact (self-taught learner) ever since. I aced a degree in psychology as a mature-age student a few years ago.I like to receive constructive criticism, but I strongly believe truth should always be delivered as medicine not weaponry, to paraphrase Erwin McManus. I don't think the public school system offers enough education in practical life skills, such as effective decision-making, personal finance, negotiating savvy, and social psychology (or stand-up comedy, for that matter).I guess I'm opinionated.Ultimately, I am passionate about people, and believe life needn't be a zero-sum game (in which there has to be a loser) – I am most satisfied and duly rewarded when I can add value to your life.