Danny has been a friend, mentor and someone I’ve always looked to as a coach & man to model myself off. His professionalism and strong moralistic values in all areas of his life mean he’s extremely dedicated to everything he does. Danny is a man of few words, because he lets his work and actions speak for themselves. We are extremely fortunate to have him share his wealth of knowledge on this platform. Men of this caliber don’t happen often.
Danny Cooper Biography
Human Performance Consultant
Human Performance Advisor to Special Operations
ST George QLD Reds Assistant S&C 2017 – 2019
Special Operations High Performance 2009 – 2017
Qualifications
PhD Candidate
Master of Science (Research) (Integrated Cognitive & physiological training interventions for peak performance)
Master of Science (Strength and Conditioning)
Bachelor’s of Exercise and Sports Science
Graduate Diploma Elite Athlete Mentoring
ASCA Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach
EXOS level 3 performance specialist
AWF State Weightlifting/Sports Power Coach
The Applied Neuroscience of Peak Performance
Daniel is an extremely accomplished Human Performance specialist. He developed a passion for understanding the true limits of human potential whilst serving as a member of Australia’s most elite Special Operations unit, where he spent 18 years of his 22-year career in the Special Air Service operating at the coal face of Australian special operations missions.
His passion for understanding and developing human potential led him into pursuing an academic pathway from a bachelor’s degree through to his current Higher Degree by Research project. Where he will investigate the factors of cognitive and physiological high performance during critical decision making.
Daniel transitioned into Human Performance during his Military service working within Special Operations where he was involved in raising and working within the Human Performance program for 8 years prior to taking a role within the QLD Reds High Performance Unit when he spent close to 2 years. Daniel has now returned to a part time role as an adviser to Special Operations Human Performance
Daniel used his knowledge and experience to challenge himself to compete feats at the edge of human physical and mental endurance across the full spectrum of human performance. In 2010 he completed the Racing the Planet, 250km Kununurra ultra-marathon. In 2011 he competed in the Pacific regionals. Just 2 weeks after later he completed the Kep Ultra 100km. In 2012 Daniel became the first Australian to finish the 450-mile (750km) Yukon Arctic Ultra, on foot. Completing the race in just 10 days. In 2016 Daniel qualified in the CrossFit Games Masters Qualifier finishing within the world’s top 80. More recently he undertook Australia’s Toughest Mudder, covering 55km’s in the 8-hour overnight event to finish 3rd in class, whilst concurrently qualifying in the Masters League QLD qualifier. His future events include the 24hr Obstacle course racing world championship in 2019 and the Iditarod Train Invitational 350mile in 2020 and 1000mile in 2021 crossing the frozen Alaskan wilderness on foot.
