James Horwill has earned more than 100 caps for the Queensland Reds and over 60 for the Wallabies. He captained the Reds to a Super Rugby Championship in 2011, and led the Wallabies during their Rugby World Cup campaign in New Zealand later the same year. After finishing his professional playing career with Harlequins in the English Premiership, James moved to Cambridge University where he captained their first XV and earned a Masters of Business Administration. Having recently relocated back to Brisbane, he is now working in his family business within the automotive industry. He is a husband to Lauren and a father to two girls, Eva and Arabella.
James is a human mammal. Here are his thoughts:
What brings you the most joy in life?
Spending time with my family and friends and seeing them succeed. Being part of a team/group that achieves what it sets out to. I also enjoy travelling and seeing new places.
What does success mean to you?
Completing what you set out to do while staying true to yourself.
What do you see as your greatest achievement?
I’m hoping my greatest achievement is yet to come…
What are you most grateful for?
I’m grateful for my upbringing and the support I have always been given from my family… I am super grateful for my family, particularly my wife and 2 daughters.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Not sure, I’m an open book.
Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?
Both my parents have had a huge influence on me in different ways – I’m very lucky to have them.
What do you regret?
I try not to have regrets but they undoubtedly happen, so I try to learn from them and move on - you can’t change the past.
Has there been a defining moment in your life? Can you tell us about it?
I’m not sure this was a defining moment, but it had a big impact on me. When I was 20, two of my best mates died in a boating accident. This happened a week before I left on my first Wallabies tour. It taught me that you need to make the most of opportunities you get because you never know how long you have.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Read more and make the most of the spare time you have.
What is the most important thing we can teach kids in school?
Understanding that everyone is different, and this should be celebrated.
What do you doubt most?
Myself.
When did you last have a significant change of mind?
During these questions.
What is the role of luck in our lives?
Luck can only be important if you are able to make the most of it.
What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?
I would hire the smartest people in the world and work out how to solve the big issues impacting the planet and humanity.
If you could have the definitive answer to a single question, what would you ask?
What’s next?
Do human beings have free will?
Some do.
Do you believe in God?
No - I believe there is higher power, not sure what it is though.
Could we be living in a simulated universe?
There is a chance.
Will the continual development of technology have a net positive or negative influence on humanity?
Technology isn’t the issue – the way humanity uses it is.
What is the single greatest achievement of humanity?
Hopefully it’s still to come.
What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?
Humanity itself.
What does it mean to live a good life?
To be happy with yourself and the life you live while bringing joy to those around you and impacting their life in a positive way.
What is a good death?
One at the end of a good life.
Thanks for your time, James!
Twitter: @james_horwill
Instagram: @jhorwill
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