Tony started off his career as an international athlete with the British Biathlon team (Cross country skiing and shooting) in 1988. He worked closely with the British Olympic Medical Centre, sports psychologists and a variety of coaches from the UK and Eastern Europe during his six years with the team. During this time he was fortunate enough to travel extensively throughout the Northern hemisphere and still feels at home within the peace that accompanies desolate winter landscapes.
During this time Tony was awakened to the wonder of diverse cultures and beliefs and although he had reached his physical peak after keeping to a strict training programme for six years he felt it was time to expand his knowledge of different cultures further. He bought a set of bag pipes with a tutor book and cassette and having never played them before decided to busk around the world.
For two years Tony worked as a musician throughout India, Nepal, Thailand, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Through his music he managed to engage all the communities that he encountered on a much deeper level and was accepted as more than a tourist. Tony found himself being invited to talk on Melbourne radio along with performing for various folk clubs and professional bands (Due mainly to his unusual instrument).
During his travels Tony recognised the truly healing effects of music and through his music he met a variety of traditional healers. On returning to the UK in 1997 Tony continued to play professionally throughout the country and began to study healing traditions.
A chance meeting allowed Tony to reconnect with the great outdoors again and after working in a variety of mountain centres including The National Mountain Centre in North Wales. He now has a teaching certificate in Outdoor Education (He is a qualified kayaking/climbing instructor and mountain leader). Never one to follow mainstream ideas Tony plunged himself into the forefront of Educational project initiatives in Wales, taking on the job of steering the country’s first Social Inclusion Centre for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Tony now works a two day week within the same setting and enjoys the balance between this and working in the corporate arena with Team International.
His interests include playing Irish jigs and reels on pipes, writing songs for guitar, white water kayaking, climbing, mountain walking, nutrition, reading anything metaphysical, Reiki healing, yoga ( completed 4years of intensive 1-1 Ashtanga yoga tuition). He is a tea total vegetarian with a deep and profound connection with the world we live in. He has a sincere urge to reduce the suffering endured by people and follows a Buddhist path
Last Updated: 31/01/2007
