Human 3: Michael Hooper

Professional rugby player, Wallaby Captain

Michael grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where he played his junior rugby for the Manly Roos. Since then, Hoops has become the youngest player to earn 100 Super Rugby caps, and is one of the youngest ever to captain the Wallabies. He has been awarded the John Eales Medal for the Australian player of the year twice, and has won the Matthew Burke Cup for the Waratahs’ player of the year 5 times. As you’re about to read, Hoops is an intelligent and considered human, despite spending most of his life falling off skateboards and headbutting some of the densest skulls on the planet.

Michael is a human mammal. Here are his thoughts:

What brings you the most joy in life?

The things that bring me most happiness in my life are my relationships - wife, family and friends.

What does success mean to you?

Success is staying true to yourself and your values.

What are you most grateful for?

Health and family.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?

My upbringing in general. Parents and the opportunities I’ve had from my lifestyle.

What do you regret?

I have regrets, but I’m teaching myself to frame them as opportunities to learn and grow. I can’t change something from the past, so dwelling on it doesn’t do me any favours. I try to view my regrets differently, albeit this is easier said than done.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Read and practice mindfulness.

What do you doubt most?

I don’t know.

When did you last change your mind?

In answering or not answering the last question.

What is the role of luck in our lives?

Luck is only luck if someone is able to take it.

What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?

I want to say I’d do something great for the planet but I have no clue where to even begin. Therefore, I’d probably hire people who could do something great for the planet and fund their work.

If you could have the definitive answer to a single question, what would you ask?

Perhaps having the ability to answer one single thing would lead to another being left unanswered. I mean, things like ‘what is the meaning of life?’ or ‘how to achieve complete happiness?’ are good questions, but if the answer is handed to you, it may no longer be correct. I think it could be like getting the cheat code to a game when you’re young, the game is fun for a few minutes, but soon all enjoyment is lost because the work towards overcoming it is gone. 

What concept/fact/idea should every human on the planet understand?

Themselves.

Do human beings have free will?

I think we are free to think our own thoughts.

Could we be living in a simulated universe?

I don’t think so.

Will the continual development of technology have a net positive or negative influence on humanity?

I sit firmly on the fence. 

What is the single greatest achievement of humanity?

Being able to think about our own consciousness.

What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?

Ourselves.

What does it mean to live a good life?

Do good by other people.

What is a good death?

Satisfied with a life well lived.

What question should I have asked you?

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Thanks for your time, Hoops!

Please leave comments and suggest future questions or guests. If you enjoy this blog, SUBSCRIBING and SHARING is the best way to support it.