Formerly a physicist, I've been coaching PhD students from a vast range of academic disciplines since 2010.

In that time I've helped hundreds of individual students and thousands more through my courses, webinars and workshops.

Like many students, I struggled through much of my PhD. And when I told people I was struggling, most of the time they'd simply tell me that it was normal, that everyone goes through difficult times and that I just had to keep going.

Although they meant well, this was terrible advice. I was struggling because I was doing the wrong things, so it was only when I changed some of my basic habits that results started to go my way.

See "The basic habits that saved my PhD"

The effect of these changes was remarkable. I was able to get the data I needed for a couple of publications, then once I'd finished doing experiments I was able to write my entire PhD thesis in just 3 months before passing my viva with zero corrections.

During my last postdoc contract I realised that many of the PhD students I was working with - no matter how talented - were terrified of writing, so I figured that maybe there was something I could do to help.

This led to the first version of my blog (originally launched with the awful title, "The 3-Month Thesis") and my first coaching clients. The focus broadened from writing to the PhD process in general and through working with students in different fields I was able to refine my ideas and approach.

In 2015 I published the book, "PhD; an uncommon guide to research, writing & PhD life".