Life Lessons from the Reef, the Rainforest, and Beyond
This year, I’ve had the privilege of working between Airlie Beach and the Daintree Rainforest — Earth’s oldest rainforest. It’s the only place on the planet where two World Heritage sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics. It’s a truly gorgeous part of the world.
While here, I’ve met people from across the globe, each brave enough to hop on a plane and venture to the other side of the world. Yet, despite that courage, many cling to their comforts — avoiding local food, fearing tap water, and shying away from new experiences.
I see fear in their eyes and feel it in their stories — whether it’s a fear of spiders, snakes, the ocean, or even pool noodles (yes, pool noodles). Often, they don’t even realise how much control these fears have over them.
And here’s the thing: the more we focus on what scares us, the more power we give it. It’s like watering a weed — we’re unknowingly helping it grow.
Fear, the Invisible Anchor
I’m endlessly fascinated by fear: how it shows up, why it holds us back, and what happens when we let it go.
In this work, I’ve helped people snorkel, kayak, and explore incredible natural wonders — all risk-assessed to the moon and back. Seriously, the safety measures in Australia are intense. Even skydiving, with thousands of jumps daily, is probably statistically safer than crossing a busy city street.
The magic, though, lies in seeing someone conquer their fear.
I’ll never forget one woman who faced her lifelong fear of water during a snorkelling tour on the Great Barrier Reef. Her tears flowed as she shared a trauma: during a clothed swimming test, an instructor had stomped on her fingers every time she reached for the pool’s edge. For decades, this experience haunted her, keeping her away from water.
Yet there she was, on a private sand cay surrounded by turquoise waters, determined to try. At first, she froze, overwhelmed by the fear. But she didn’t give up. With patience, encouragement, and a stinger suit (because obviously everything in Australia can kill you), she stepped into the water again.
The transformation was incredible. Floating among coral and cute little fish, she forgot her fear. “I got so distracted I forgot to be scared,” she said with a huge smile. My reply? “No, you were in the moment. Your mind didn’t get a say. Welcome to the present.”
She came back to the boat laughing, a complete shift from the tears she’d arrived with. “I came out crying, and I’ve come back laughing,” she said.
This is what it’s all about. Life is meant to be lived here and now. The past is gone. The future is a daydream. The present? It’s all we truly have.
Reactions Are Where Your Power Lies
When something triggers a big reaction — anger, frustration, or fear — it’s rarely about the moment itself. It’s about something deeper.
I recently had a guest on tour who enjoyed nearly everything. Yet, in her feedback form, she focused only on one cancelled kayak trip (due to weather), ignoring all the other incredible experiences. I just don’t get it.
I hope she remembers the beauty of Australia’s wildlife, landscapes, and sunsets, not the one thing that didn’t go as planned.
Life happens. Plans change. Planes get delayed. Weather doesn’t always cooperate. It’s not a personal attack — it’s just life. How you react to those moments? That’s where your power lies.
Finding the Beauty in Every Day
Two of Australia’s three most photographed locations have been part of my life this year. Even now, I still get lost in the sunsets, kangaroos at dusk, and turtles gliding by on the reef. The screech of a stone curlew (a bird that looks like a distinguished old man but sounds utterly chaotic) makes me smile every time.
This is why I love what I do. Nature never ceases to amaze me. It reminds me how lucky we are to be here, breathing, living, and witnessing this incredible world.
Sure, things go wrong sometimes. Maybe the aircon’s too loud, or the bus ride’s too long. But isn’t it a miracle that we’re even here? That we get to experience this vast, wild, beautiful planet?
Your Reactions Are Your Compass
When life challenges you, ask yourself: where is this reaction coming from? Why does this moment feel so big?
Often, it’s not about the thing itself but about something unresolved within us. Exploring that path isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Because once you understand where your reactions stem from, you can choose how to respond — and that’s where real freedom lies.
Focus on the present. Let go of what you can’t control. And don’t forget to pat the dogs, gasp at the sunrises, and stand in awe of the beauty around you.