Biography

I’m just some kiwi kid who grew up in 90’s rural New Zealand for my defining childhood, coming from a highly conservative mormon background, I was constantly challenged for my neurodivergent thinking and later became disowned for questioning mormon authority. 

In my early adult life I was 'catching up' from the social bubble many ex-mormons have found themselves in growing up and I explored many community volunteering projects which culminated into teaching in Primary Schools and my own professional sporting career

in 2009 I moved to China for three years, absorbing culture while working on expanding digital educational content focusing on ancient cultures that found its way in over 1,400 schools across the world at its peak.

in 2012 I returned home to the Christchurch Earthquakes, but so much had changed or gone, losing several friends; I decided to move to Melbourne, Australia.

In 2014 due to relationship issues I became homeless with no friends or family support and lived on the streets of Melbourne for almost a year, this became a defining moment in my life where I knew I had to work towards living my authentic self.

In February 2018 I became a wheelchair user, diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder, after many years hiatus of exploring the outdoors I found myself in a situation where accessibility is now an issue and the call to the wild stronger than ever and made a real effort to find the wilderness to be accessible for all.

In late 2020 I left the Transgender closet after 24 years and began HRT, already having changed my name years prior to a gender neutral 'Taylor' I was finally coming to learn to love my body and matching my inner gender. If you want to see what life was like pre-transition, I'd recommend my inactive Instagram account @Tychopup

Since being homeless I have struggled with PTSD and have had to focus on my mental health more, even though it did not stop me from continuing to volunteer in groups. At age 38 I was diagnosed with ADHD + Autism (auDHD) which helped fill in the gaps of my feelings of 'strangeness' from childhood and beyond and have helped me immensely understand who I am.

I have helped many community groups and organisations over the years and I do my best to instil the values of self expression, discovery of ones self and a sense of community spirit that I live for everyday.

I hope you do find something useful here that can help you.
For a detailed history, check out My Online Resume