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my story...
My name is Mark Harris. I grew up in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, and my life was surrounded by my family (mum, dad and my two brothers), I had a huge love of sport, and I remember playing games with my two brothers every moment we had.
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I was okay at school, not brilliant, tried hard, and probably the same could be said about me and sport. I loved playing, tried hard, not really that successful, but waking up on Saturday mornings were the best.
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I became a teacher (I think the constant play I had with my two younger brothers helped shape this) and after deciding this wasn't for me at the time, I went back to Uni to complete a Human Movement Degree. It was my love of sport that brought me there.
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1997 was a pivotal year for me, I began volunteering as a Fitness Coach at Central District Football Club and I met and fell in love with my future wife, Karen. My voluntary role at Centrals lead to the main role there and later at The Woodville-West Torrens Eagles. I was driven to become an AFL strength and conditioning coach. I remember at one stage writing to every AFL club asking for a start. It never came.
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Karen had a burning desire to travel overseas, and I was keen to stay put and pursue a career in sport (2 degrees and not much to show for it wasn't what I was keen to keep saying about myself).
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But an opportunity to experience overseas with my life partner was too good to refuse. We planned to travel for 12 months and stayed for 4 years. We had the time of our lives. We toured Canada with our own campervan, backpacked through Europe and South America, all around living in London, the ultimate young person’s city. I went back to teaching and loved it. ​​​
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​​​​​​Following four years of limited responsibility, in 2008 we decided it was time to head for home and start a family and reconnect with our family and friends. We got married and soon welcomed the pocket rocket Sagittarian, Lindsay Violet. We had a house, good jobs, and a kid we adored. Life was awesome.
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Then the world changed. Karen got cancer. Our world caved in. My heart was broken.
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Over the years Karen had tests, surgeries, treatments, recovered, got better, got worse, cried, laughed, lived and thrived. Part of our thrive was the arrival of our second child, Ollie Mack, the kid we thought we would never have. Ollie is a free spirit, the all-singing, all dancing, kind, funny, clever kid.
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Thrive was also travelling overseas again and showing the world to our two beautiful kids. Thrive was also moving to the country, picking up and moving and knowing hardly anyone and almost starting again. We bought a piece of the countryside and soaked it all in.
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And then Karen got worse. It was all traumatic and so painful and it was all over. My girl died. I can’t believe she died. I was there, of course I was there. Fiercely independent yet we were inseparable.
And now it’s me. So, what now?
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There was a time toward the end of Karen’s life, that I had a very clear feeling that my life purpose was to provide love and care. It was a moment of clarity amongst the most difficult time of my life.
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I’ve learned a lot about life especially the last 12 years of Karen’s health challenge. Self-care, caring for others, understanding your superpowers and your life purpose. I’ve spent hours thinking, practising, applying, and re-aligning.
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It helps me now, to be the best person I can be and the best Dad to Lindsay and Ollie.
So, this is me, this is who I am. Mark Harris. My life purpose is to help people I love and care for to live their best life. The best version of me is brave, kind, trusting and joy. I strive for this every day.
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Thank you for listening xxx
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