Goals, Intentions, and the Freedom to Compete With Heart: Reflections on my 2025 Goals

I’m a huge fan of goals.

You might assume my goals are things like “enjoy myself” or “have fun in the ring with my dog.”
And while those things matter deeply to me… they are not my goals.

The truth is, I’m competitive.
Very competitive.

I compete in dog sports because I love to compete. If I didn’t, I’d happily stay at home, train quietly, tend to the garden, and enjoy the process in peace. But that’s not who I am. My nature pulls me outward — towards challenge, mastery, and the edge of what’s possible.

And I say “unfortunately” with a smile, because being competitive is both a gift and a commitment.

Once you’re wired this way, it leads you into a world of extraordinary adventures — adventures that cost time, money, energy, and devotion. These aren’t hobbies; they become life’s work. So instead of warm kitchens and quiet weekends, I find myself standing on cold, windy, rain-soaked fields in far-flung places. Seeking the best trainers. The best helpers. The best environments. And along the way, finding the best friends to walk this path with.

All of this, in service of my goals.

But my goals probably aren’t what you’d expect.

Audacious Goals and a Different Way of Holding Them

Of course, I do have what most people would call “normal” goals. But I prefer to call them Audacious Goals.

My personal aim has always been to work my dogs at the highest level possible. To date, both Shanti and Gracie have worked at the highest level in the sports they competed in. Shanti became just the second ever female Aussie Obedience Champion, Gracie, her daughter also an Obedience Champion, and won the most number of CC’s for any Aussie, as well as competed at the World Championships in IGP. MeMe, heartbreakingly, died aged just two, her life far too short. And Rumi… well, Rumi is still just a pup, full of possibility.

But here’s the crucial distinction — one that shapes everything for me.

I separate my intentions from my goals.

Intentions: The Compass That Never Wavers

I’ve been a yogi for over 30 years now, and intention-setting has always been a cornerstone of my life. Intentions are my North Star. They keep my inner compass pointing true, regardless of where the external journey takes me.

Intentions aren’t about what I achieve.
They’re about how I walk the path.

They are value-driven. Character-driven. Heart-driven.
They don’t dictate what I do — they dictate how I do it.

Without right intention, there can be no right action.

My intentions live in the present moment. They aren’t something I work towards — I embody them. Right now. They are entirely within my control, and no outcome can take them away from me. They are about alignment, integrity, and how I want to feel internally.

And so, I’ll be brave and share my intentions for working Gracie in 2025.

My Intentions With Gracie

I intend to know Gracie more deeply.
To connect with her more fully.
To choose the things that bring her joy and allow her to shine.

When we work together, I intend that we embody love, connection, mutual respect, and understanding.

My intention in her sports career is to have a tough back and a soft heart — to be a fearless warrior of kindness.

I intend to prioritise Gracie and her feelings about what we do above everything else.

I intend to feel lightness in our journey — in our goals, our dreams, and our competing.
Lightness mixed with playfulness.
Curiosity.
Purpose.

On trial days, I want her to feel confident and unstoppable — as though she is touched by gold. I want her to feel ten feet tall. I want her to know it in her bones before she steps onto the field, and to carry it with her afterwards — no matter the result.

Win or lose, I want her to know this:
She is touched by gold.
She is the only dog in the world.

My overarching intention for dog sports in 2025 was simple and vast:
To go on an adventure of wonder, awe, and connection.

When Intention Leads, Everything Changes

I repeated these intentions every single day before the World Championships. I carried them with me when we trained, when we travelled, and when we stepped onto the field. They guided every choice I made.

And because of that, something extraordinary happened.

My connection with Gracie is stronger than ever. I feel as though there is a golden thread of light between us — unbreakable, through life and death. Our heartbeats feel connected. Our trust in each other is absolute. Our confidence together has grown, and continues to grow.

And Then… The Audacious Goals

Alongside my intentions, I also set Audacious Goals.

These are outcome-led. They are bold, demanding, and sometimes wildly inconvenient.

They’re the reason I travelled to Spain a week early to track twice a day.
The reason I travel the world to find the very best helpers for protection work.
The reason I film my training, analyse it, refine it, and commit to constant improvement.

And yes — I set the audacious goal that Gracie would become the first Australian Shepherd in the world to compete at the FCI World Championships in IGP.

I set it because it was nearly impossible.

And because it was nearly impossible, it was fun.

There was no pressure in it — only curiosity and excitement. I didn’t need to achieve it. I didn’t expect to. But I allowed myself to dream.

And for me, that’s the difference.

That’s what removes pressure, keeps me grounded and grateful, and still allows ambition to thrive.

The Sweet Spot Between Dreaming and Being

I am so deeply, profoundly chuffed to say that I achieved both my 2025 intentions and my Audacious Goal.

But more importantly — I walked the path in alignment.

So I’ll leave you with this:

What were your intentions for 2025?
Did you set any goals — audacious or otherwise?
And how did they make you feel along the way?

Because when intention leads and goals follow…
the journey becomes as meaningful as the destination.