Paul Wood (author)

Last updated

Paul Wood
Born1976or1977(age 46–47)
Nationality New Zealand
Alma mater Massey University
Known forHow To Escape From Prison, Mental Fitness
Website https://paulwood.com/

Paul Wood is a New Zealand motivational speaker, author, facilitator, and doctor of psychology.

Contents

Biography

Wood left high school early, [1] associating with a peer group which valued drugs and violence. [2] Wood was dependent on drugs, committing crimes to maintain his habit. [3] At 18 years old, Wood went to prison in Paremoremo Prison for murdering his 42 year old drug dealer, Boyd Bevan, after he attempted to sexually assault Wood. Wood was convicted of murder and served 11 years in prison. Wood's mother passed away three days before the murder. [4] [5] He served part of his sentence in Paremoremo Prison, which he described as "New Zealand’s toughest facility." [6]

From prison, he started a PhD in psychology. Wood completed his undergraduate and master's degrees while imprisoned, [7] and he commenced a PhD, which he completed in 2011. [8] He is the first New Zealander to have achieved both feats. [9] [10] More than 10 years after his release, the Parole Board granted Wood a rare discharge. [11] [12]

Wood has written a bestselling book How to Escape from Prison, an autobiography on his life, and Mental Fitness, a self-help book on building resilience. [13] He also spoke at TEDxAuckland and other conferences. [14] [15]

Personal life and views

Wood is married with children. [3]

Work

Books

Speech

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References

  1. ↑ Cole, Charles (14 July 2019). "How to Escape from Prison: Kiwi Paul Wood's highly inspiring transformation". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  2. ↑ Mitchell, Rob (29 June 2019). "National Portrait: Paul Wood". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 "The remarkable story of how a convicted killer turned life around". NZ Herald. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Taylor, Phil (25 January 2014). "Killer becomes a coach for transforming lives". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Life sentence can be life-changing". Otago Daily Times. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Wood, Paul (6 July 2021). "Stress is an energy - harness it". Newsroom. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Wood, Paul (2004). Personality correlates of fluid and crystallised intelligence in the New Zealand workplace (Masters thesis). Massey Research Online, Massey University. hdl:10179/7357.
  8. ↑ Wood, Paul (2011). Integrity, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and ability : relationships and measurement (Doctoral thesis). Massey Research Online, Massey University. hdl:10179/3191.
  9. ↑ "Convicted killer gets third degree". Stuff.co.nz. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "How to escape from prison with Dr Paul Wood". Newshub. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "From murder conviction to life without limits, Parole Board grants rare discharge". Stuff.co.nz. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "Parole Board's rare step recognised parolee's 'extraordinary' efforts". Stuff.co.nz. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  13. ↑ "Motivational speaker Dr Paul Wood explores mental resilience in his new book". NewstalkZB. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  14. ↑ Mulholland, Tom (3 November 2019). "Why we could all learning something from the inspirational Kiwi Dr Paul Wood". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  15. ↑ Houlahan, Mike (5 April 2019). "Path to leadership far from straight". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
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