Mark Worthington: Non-Work Identity & Life Beyond The School Gates | Episode 155
“Who we are beyond our work shapes how we show up within it.” Mark Worthington
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham sits down with Mark Worthington, Head of Player Development Manager at the Geelong Cats and former teacher, to explore what it means to have an identity beyond work.
Together they discuss the parallels between education and elite sport including the intensity, the transitions, and the pressure to perform, and why cultivating a non-work (or non-athletic) identity is vital for long-term wellbeing and success.
Mark shares insights from his journey from the classroom to the AFL, reflecting on balance, leadership, self-compassion, and how caring for the person behind the professional transforms how we live and work.
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Chapter Markers
- 00:00 – Welcome and introduction
- 04:10 – From teaching to elite sport: Mark’s story
- 10:35 – The intensity of high-performance environments
- 17:20 – Developing a non-work identity
- 23:40 – Balancing personal life and professional demands
- 31:15 – Self-compassion and sustainable leadership
- 38:00 – Feeling supported beyond performance
- 44:50 – Lessons from sport for teachers and school leaders
- 50:30 – Final reflections: thriving beyond work
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Deliberate Actions
- Reflect on what fills you up outside of work.
- Schedule time this week for something that reminds you of who you are beyond your role.
- Start a conversation with a colleague about how you each protect your non-work identity.
- Give yourself permission to rest and recover because it’s part of sustainable performance.
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Episode 155 Shownotes - Click here.
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Mark Worthington LinkedIn
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