Dr Peter Larkins has been involved in the health and fitness industry his entire life. From his beginnings as the inspiration for the popular Little Athletics movement in Australia to an international career as an Olympian, World Cup and Commonwealth Games athlete, he has always focused on healthy living practices and the pursuit of high performance- in sport and all aspects of life.
During his 10-year international competitive career, he completed degrees in medicine and exercise physiology, before receiving travelling scholarships to pursue post graduate study overseas.
His sporting life fuelled his interest in all aspects of human performance including the physiology of fitness, nutrition, sports injury management and the mental approaches to achieve at the highest level.
Peter established the first solo specialist sports physician practice in Australia and has served on numerous government and organisational advisory committees. He is past National President of Sports Medicine Australia- the peak advisory group on fitness, health, and sport in Australia. He has been team physician for many sports including the Australian cricket team, triathlon, lacrosse and track and field teams. He also worked as a medical officer in the AFL with Geelong Cats and Adelaide Crows teams.
He was a senior Team Leader for the provision of medical services at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and has taught on medical courses conducted by the International Olympic Committee. He is also a "Charge Doc" (senior team leader) at the Hawaii Ironman World Championship triathlon each year and was an inaugural member of the Ironman World Medical Advisory Board (IWMAB).
In 2008 Peter Co -founded the Epworth Sports & Exercise Medicine Group, a unique “specialist only” practice at Epworth Richmond. His medical practice is devoted to helping all patients – regardless of age or ability - to stay active and “age youthfully” by adopting his healthy living advice and lifestyle habits. The practice also provides elite musculoskeletal, sports and orthopaedic advice to patients across all stages of life.
In more recent years Peter has also focused on community and population health by delivering messages on healthy lifestyle to all individuals. He is passionate about promoting healthy living for all to improve quality of life, longevity and to reduce health care costs in the Australian community. He believes many of the lessons learnt from dealing with elite sport performance can be applied to everyday productivity and success in the workplace and life in general.
His corporate speaking business helps businesses to optimise productivity in the workplace and life through maintaining a positive and active approach to personal health maintenance.
In 2024 Peter published his new book “The Healthy Hundred- 100 Ways to a Healthier, Happier and Longer Life”.The book provides a complete overview of healthy living practices and tips to promote health, wellbeing and productive longevity. It was runner up its category in the Australian Business Book Awards in 2024.
Peter is regularly seen and heard on television and radio on current affairs, news and lifestyle programs in his role as a media commentator and spokesperson on health and fitness topics. He has become known for his sharp wit, ability to read the play and make complex medical concepts easy for listeners to understand. It was here where he adopted the now infamous name, “Doc Larkins”.
In his spare time, he enjoys good wine, good food, good company and good books. He exercises for health and to help justify the wine and food.