Max Hollander, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Assist Sommelier, Royal Mail Hotel (Dunkeld, Victoria, Australia)

Years in the Industry:
I've been working in the industry for almost ten years, starting out in gastropubs in New Zealand at the age of 19. I became interested in wine in 2013 and moved to Melbourne to learn more about hospitality at a higher level. I returned to New Zealand in 2015 after traveling around Europe for two months, exploring food, wine, beer and culture. A focus on wine didn't really emerge until I began working in fine dining with a very respectable wine list and being guided by an MW (candidate at the time). I completed my first vintage in 2016,  then traveled and worked in the USA and Manchester, UK (where I acquired my WSET L3) before moving back to New Zealand and my current role.

My Biggest Challenge to Wellness:
I am my own worst enemy, and keeping my mental health positive is difficult. I tend towards depression and anxiety as well as having very high expectations of myself. If I don’t do enough, then I don’t feel like enough. This year has been particularly tough. I have been incredibly fortunate to have kept my job, and my employers are very supportive and understanding. Moving to a new place alone is always difficult, but there were some plans to visit home, have friends and family come to visit me, and do some more international travel. Those plans have all been put on hold, and life has felt a bit lonelier than usual.

How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
Music is a big coping mechanism for me. I've been playing guitar for 13 years, and writing songs and poems for 20. During times when I know I'm not coping well, I'll noodle around on the guitar and try to find something that brings a sense of peace or resolve. I may hold onto it or it might be forgotten, but it helps me to cope in that moment. I've taken some of those songs over the years and have done a few recording projects, one of which has been released. When I find that meditation is too challenging, I'll put on my favourite album and sink into the sonic waves, taking all of the weight away and processing the struggles that are going on in my head.

You can connect with Max on Instagram.