Award-winning Journalist, Writer, Speaker, Mentor, and Mother of Two (now young men). Welcome!
Hi, I’m Pallas
Interested in my qualifications? I graduated from Oxford University, with a BA Honours degree. I’ve just earned a Master of Creative Writing degree (with Distinction) from Massey University in New Zealand.
For three decades I worked as an award-winning TV News broadcaster, public speaker and mentor.
Writing is my core passion. I’ve discovered how to leverage this creative power to help you express yourself, access and process your emotions and ultimately live a more fulfilling, even extraordinary life.
Happiness to me is writing blogs on this site, and publishing essays, poems and flash fiction published in print and online: in HuffPost Australia, New Zealand Herald, Otago Daily Times, 1964 Magazine, and The Spinoff (in NZ) as well as Cultural Daily (in US). I’ve also self-published two books—including the Make Your Life POP ebook. All that I write is meant to help. That’s the power of creative expression.
For two decades, I devoted my life to television journalism, winning a couple of Emmys among other prizes and recognitions. I told stories about communities across the country. It was the realization of a childhood dream.
But I had lots of dreams, and in the end I found that one career path wasn’t enough for me. Neither was living in just one country. I had two sons I desperately longed to spend more time with and I wanted them to see how wide the world is. So I left my career and was lucky enough to recalibrate—in New Zealand!
Studying, working and living around the world (in the US, UK, Europe, Saudi Arabia as well as New Zealand) taught me how important it is to discover and define who you are, be true to your values and passions—so you can authentically connect with others, in whatever country or culture.
On that note, I began my broadcasting career in the Middle East, as the host of a children’s TV show broadcast around the Arabian Gulf. This opportunity popped up unexpectedly after my father accepted a job and moved our family to Saudi when I was 13. (That’s my younger brother and me recording on location on the Eastern coast, in Jubail.)
This experience taught me both broadcast skills as well as cultural literacy. It also fueled a desire to share what I’ve learned.
Tragically, decades after this experience, I lost my beloved brother and then my father to suicide. These losses made my work more like a mission, and that’s where my passion for advocacy began.
My life has been as challenging as it’s been charmed. Most of us can probably say that, if we’re being honest. But I’ve learned crucial lessons along the way—lessons I’m committed to sharing with you.
What I help others do, especially those who’ve been knocked down, is find your way back to living life to the fullest—overcoming fear, and getting clear about how you want to spend your time and energy.
I spend my time and energy writing, reading, coaching and connecting, traveling, hiking, enjoying film, good food and friends.
Do you live an extraordinary life? A life that POPs?
If you don’t, find out how you can.