Dan studied for an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Plymouth in 2005, followed by a masters degree in sports psychology at the University of Central Lancashire in 2009.
After graduating, Dan began working with Mansfield Town FC and supported performance athletes on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme based at the TASS Hub at Sheffield Hallam University. Dan subsequently joined Sheffield United FC in 2012 on a casual basis, working his way up to Lead Academy Psychologist over a number of season, before deciding to step away at the end of 2019.
In 2013 Dan was invited by the Football Association to provide psychology support to a number of academies in the North of England including Chesterfield FC and York City FC. Subsequently, Dan joined the FA's Para Performance Unit in 2016 and was psychologist for the FA Para Talent Pathway and England Men's and Women's Deaf Squads until 2021.
Stepping away from the pressures of professional football to raise a young family, Dan has pivoted in his career and now enjoys informal mentoring - sharing insights and advice on working as a sports psychologist, based on over a decade of professional practice.