“Why did you write a kids’ book book about healthy lifestyles when you now facilitate strategic planning and governance workshops?”

Fair question.

My work life started in the youth sector, think juvenile justice, youth work and local government. It then merged into the sport and recreation sector, think bike lanes, colour fun runs, dirt jump parks and rock climbing strategies.

That evolved into health promotion and the broader health and community sector, think physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and smoking cessation.

These days, instead of doing the doing, I support the people who do the doing.

I’ve found so many organisations deliver incredible, forward-facing work in their communities, they just need a little support strengthening their ‘back of house’. Governance. Strategy. Leadership. Stakeholder engagement. Evaluation. Policies and processes.

So what’s that got to do with my kids’ book?

It’s actually the same philosophy.

We sometimes teach kids about reading and maths, even the planets in outer space, before we teach them how to understand and manage their own bodies: their energy, habits, safety, health and happiness. Their own ’back of house’.

Whether it’s organisations or six-year-olds, I’m all about the foundations.

Because when the back of house works, everything out front runs better.

Clear as mud?