I've been doing part-time work with Forsyth Barr who specialise in wealth management. I'm working towards a financial advising role but need more industry qualifications.
You must have a few letters after your name?I got a Bachelor of Business Studies through Massey, majoring in finance with a diploma in personal financial planning.
Q: How do you spend your down time when you're not investing your rowing fortune?
I'm project-managing the building of a house with my partner Lizzie. It's been a good experience, testing at times. We're lucky to be involved with a builder called Chris Jacobson who has been patient and helpful.
Q: I'm guessing a three-bedroom house in Cambridge?
Yeah, it's dragged on a bit longer than anticipated. We started in November, but Lizzie is a doctor at Waikato Hospital and she has limited free time when I'm overseas.
Q: Sorry if this feels like an inquisition from that joker off Grand Designs, but do you have a feature wall or anything like that?
It's only a small section and pretty low maintenance. We don't have a need for a big yard. It's two storeys and the staircase is going in shortly. I haven't seen the finished product but I found all the timber in a yard over at the Mount [Maunganui]. Chris put it together. It's a bit Grand Designy because I have an intimate knowledge of everything that went into it. Hell, the whole process has surprised me. There were more decisions than expected.
Q: Speaking of rooms, you must get your own on tour? An Olympic gold medal must come with privileges?
Yes there's the odd perk. Eric and I have been lucky enough to get our own rooms. I am about to experience something different though. I haven't been home in July for at least eight years.
Q: How do you entertain yourself on tour?
I've done a bit of research organising the house and I've been watching Game of Thrones [the television series].
Q: Righto. A couple of my mates rave about it. How does all that medieval shenanigans sit?
I heard a lot about it, started watching it and got hooked. I even started reading the books to know what happens next. They're big books. It takes a bit to chew through them.
Q: You haven't got a box set of Downton Abbey hiding in your suitcase? Lizzie's not meticulously taping Coro St for an omnibus session when you get home?
No. I've had to do Coro St in the past. I private boarded when I first trained in Cambridge with the under-23 team. They watched it religiously and there was one telly in the house. I had no choice. I find it's like Shortland St; if you see 10 minutes once a year you know what's going on.
Q: You've just finished a successful European campaign. Knowing how much energy you guys burn, what's your assessment of their tucker?
I like Bavarian, Swiss and general southern German fare best. It's hearty.
So we're talking bratwurst, sauerkraut, perhaps horse?
Actually they served us up eye fillet horse last year and didn't tell us until after we ate it. We thought it was normal steak. I specifically went to tell the chef that was the best dinner we'd had that trip. Fresh asparagus, fries... and steak. I said that was "beewdiful" and he said, "you know vhaat zhat waz?" I said, "Yeah, steak," and he said, "But from vhaat animal?" I said, "cow?" and he said, "No, no, zhat waz horse." I shrugged and said, "Well, that was delicious." Honestly, it was lovely.
Q: Giddy-up.
