Video Shout-Out from Peter Hooley

Hey, I’m Peter Hooley.

Blog post - http://pleasantdistractions.blogspot.com/2022/06/my-pursuit-of-happiness.html?m=1

ESPN Moment of the Month

https://youtu.be/766Gd5c5Q0c

The Shot

https://youtu.be/jP3OtIq1TCY

I’m a NBL champion, 3x NCAA America East Champion for UAlbany in NCAA and current sports broadcaster and writer for ESPN/Channel 10/SEN. As well as my media roles, I have a passion for inspiring others to find their happiness and overcome extreme adversity/mental health battles (anxiety and fear) with a keynote speech that I present. I have a very unique story about losing my mother to cancer whilst in America at college, and shortly after finding myself on ESPN sets talking about my journey and NY Times! (pls YouTube). I was also lucky enough to be asked to be our graduating class Commencement Speaker in 2015, speaking to 15,000 people. https://youtu.be/FjbaLYHaww0

In my spare time I find myself using my platform and what I've learnt through dealing with loss/grief and mental health side of pro sports to help and inspire others to get through whatever life throws at them. After losing the joy to play sport, I knew I had to find a different path to my happiness, and battling through that was tough. However, using everything I have learnt through my troubles, I've managed to find a place I am completely happy to be in. I find it very rewarding to help others do the same.

I have a keynote speech that I present to many groups/teams, that encompasses all I have been through and learnt from my journey

• Dealing with Loss/Grief
  
• Mental Health/Anxiety Struggles
• Injuries, Setbacks
• Tough Life Choices
• Success/Failure
• Teams/Leadership

All the highs and lows that life brings and how ive managed to overcome them. I have some entertaining anecdotes of my journey to provide a great listen and always am open for a Q&A to help people dig deeper into getting out what they need out of my journey  

Here’s what I’m known for in the sporting arena

Winning an NBL championship with Melbourne United in 2018 was an amazing experience. I played in the highest level for college sport in America, then transitioning to professional in Europe before coming back to Australia 

I also enjoyed great success at college in the United States, where I was part of the America East Conference Championship winning team three years in a row with University at Albany (2013 - 2015), along with back to back America East Most Outstanding Player awards (2015 and 2016).

In that time I was also awarded Times Union Athlete of the Year and an ESPN Moment of the Month and in studio to discuss everything I went through. My time on ESPN was something that helped me realize my story is able to help people through some tough times.

But I’m much more than an athlete

I found myself as a National headline in America after losing my mother to cancer whilst playing college basketball in 2015. I was lucky to be home by her bedside as she passed. Soon after I returned to the USA and found myself hitting a buzzer beater 3 pointer to win our college championship. This moment catapulted me to National attention as seen on YouTube 

I’m now part of the NBL’s commentary team, where I share my game day insights on SBS and ESPN. I also have a regular radio spot with SEN in Melbourne and host a podcast for Sportsbet.

Working in media is a dream come true, and something I’ve been focused on even while playing professional basketball. I’ve always been aware that a career as an elite athlete doesn’t last forever.

I completed a Bachelors in Journalism and Psychology with a Masters in Interpersonal Communication. I won numerous academic awards and had the privilege of delivering the UAlbany undergraduate commencement student address to 15,000 people in 2015. Which is on YouTube as well  

I live by these values Happiness

Bringing joy and positive energy to people in all situations and circumstances. 

Creativity 

Storytelling, influencing and reaching people through media.

Inspiration 

Using my story and lessons learned to inspire people to overcome their own challenges. 

I have an impactful story to tell on these key themes and topics Death & Grief 

While at college in 2015, I got the call from my Dad saying it was time to say goodbye to my Mum, who had been battling cancer for four years. She passed two weeks later. But not before I made a promise to her that I’d go back to college and finish what I started.

Seven weeks later I hit the buzzer beater to win the Championship for my school. It was like a fairytale, and catapulted me to a place I could never have imagined.

Inspiration 

My Mum’s story taught me that no matter how dark life can seem, there is always a light somewhere. And in the midst of the hardest moments of my life, there were also miracles. Mum taught me that there is always a reason to smile every day.

Happiness 

I’ve learned through my journey that life is indeed too short to not pursue a life of happiness and joy. If you’re not happy you have the power to change your path, any time. Not only did I learn this through my Mum’s cancer battle, but more recently through a tough decision I had to make about my own professional basketball career. It wasn’t bringing me the happiness that it used to, and it was taking a toll on other aspects of my life. I made the call to pursue new things and put my family first, and it has been the best decision I’ve made.

The audiences I connect with

Sports fans 

Youth and troubled kids 

Corporate

I'm available for:

Guest speaking 

Brand partnerships 

Events and appearances

MCing

Keynote Speakinghttps://youtu.be/jP3OtIq1TCY