Mark
Dobson

Speaker Profile

Mark Dobson is a performance coach, advising a host of athletes at a national and international level. Testament to his skill set is that in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics Mark spent one year advising Australian Olympic Swimming Coach Ian Pope, coach of Olympic medalists Grant Hackett, Matt Target and Patrick Murphy. Mark also coaches USA Ski Champion and Winter X Games medalist Colby West and has advised elite athletes such as Australian Olympic Steeplechase runner Victoria Mitchell, international trampolinist Christie Jenkins, Australian Memory Champion Tensel Ali and a host of others at the top of their fields.

In his recent book Parenting Freak Ability, Mark interviewed the families of Australia's great sporting families to discover what was different in their homes. Families such as Gaze, Hackett, Buckley, Aloisi, Ginn, Sinclaire and Siddle. This knowledge, combined with his coaching skill makes his presentations potent with inspiration and strategy.

'My observation was that this guy was a natural in the art of communicating with aspiring athletes. He has a clear understanding of the mindset that is required in order to gain the edge needed for optimal performance.' - Australian Olympic Swimming Coach Ian Pope

Further, Mark was a founding member of New York City's first University for talented teenagers - Bard High School Early College, which in 2009 was acknowledged by President Barack Obama for its educational innovation. Mark also led America's largest ever intercultural exchange program, taking 40 inner city African Americans onto a Navajo Indian Reservation, documented by 60 Minutes journalist Andy Taylor.

Mark does over 100 presentations across Australia annually.

In addition to his unique lifestyle, Mark has been shot at in a tribal war, leapt from a sinking raft in a hurricane, written two best sellers and has done stand up comedy in New York City. As you can imagine he has some incredible stories, is a captivating speaker and offers very strategic advice on performing at your best.

Travels from Victoria