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@james_ambrosini_fit
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Former pro athlete, qualified sports scientist, personal trainer and integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a masters in mental coaching for peak performance in elite sport.
After 12 years travelling the world as a pro rugby union player since leaving school and living in Italy the past 8 years, he has trained himself and others in strength and conditioning from all ranges ranging from Junior to elite athletes of all ages and all different sports. James learned from some of the best coaches in the world and has some great mentors that has guided him along his journey
1. At age 16 last year of school I suffered from
Viral meningitis and was told to take 3-6 months off. My identity was so attached to sport that I was back playing cricket and sport after 2 weeks. I was cleared and had my best year of sport playing Australian schoolboys and going undefeated captaining the first 11 and first 15 at st laurence's college.
2. After school I went to brumbies academy at age 17 and a half and played half a year un injured then my injury run hit me. AC joint and dislocated shoulder, after coming back from
That the next year I was in line to be reserve Australian under 20s fly half one year younger at age 19 competing with two other fly halves one year older than me ben Seymour and Jono Lance but I got injured at the first trial breaking my hand and that’s where I spiraled downwards breaking my hand another 2 times and having 4 surgeries on the same left hand in the space of a year and a half.
This was the start of my mental health struggle (depression, anxiety, no longer wanted to go out, was comparing myself to all my other team mates who were making it)
3. The next day I broke my hand (5 days prior to junior World Cup in Italy) I got a call from the benetton rugby ceo throwing me a lifeline ans offering me my first professional rugby contract.
I went back home as my head wasn’t right and knew I wouldn’t be ready to go over straight away so I wanted to go home and rehab it up and get my mental game right before going over.
I must admit I still wasn’t ready when I went over one year later but I developed my mental resilience slowly when I was there and was forced to grow up.
If I k ew how to support myself better mentally and be more resilient in terms of self worth, self trust and self confidence. On the outside I was confident and had a strong identity of being the jock but inside I was timid and hesitant and never backed my own decision and instinct after a few injuries and going to Canberra where I wasn’t really happy.
I wish I had of got a mentor at an earlier age instead of at 24. I think it’s important to be guided by a mentor, psychologist or whoever (some sort of role model that you can lean on) paid or unpaid. Better if it was unpaid but I think you take ownership and accountability and responsibility when you start paying for your own personal development and growth.