Camp One.

Who would've thought the kid who once struggled with a stutter and Mums my blood pressure would start rising when it was time to read out loud in class would one day stand in front of a room, deliver his final Master's presentation and perform four original songs.

For my final presentation, I wanted to tell a story and hopefully make something people would remember.

I told the story of my Master’s through The Climb, which started as a philosophy and metaphor for life and has now become the brand I’m building.

I broke the year into camps, ascents and a summit, talking about the challenges, lessons, people and experiences that shaped me along the way, before finishing with four songs including a remix of The Climb by Miley Cyrus.

The year itself was far from smooth sailing. There were highs, lows, stressful days, great nights, plenty of mistakes and a lot of uncertainty. Homelessness scares, placement issues, eye surgery… people who know me personally know the full story.

One of my most transformative years yet.

The funny thing is, at the time I didn't even fully appreciate what I'd done or the impact I'd made even though I'd had classmates emotional during the performance.

My mind was already on the mistakes I thought I'd made, what I could've done better and whatever I was going to do next.

It was only looking back, while I was recovering from surgery, that I could actually sit there and think…

Sometimes you're so focused on the next mountain that you don't realise how far you've already climbed.

Music has educated me, inspired me and helped me through some of the toughest periods of my life. That's a big part of why I make it. Hopefully something I create can do the same for somebody else.

One of the lyrics I performed that day was:

“Without you, I couldn’t grow into this version.”

Nobody climbs alone.

The people I met throughout this Master’s became a huge part of the story.

To my classmates, lecturers, friends, family and mentors and a special thank you to Myles, Rory and Ollie. Thank you for the conversations, advice and opportunities.

Sometimes other people believe in you before you fully believe in yourself.

The Master's is over.

But this was never the summit.

Now I prepare for the next ascent and the next set of goals to reach.