Dr. Lachlan Soper | In the Brief Interview
Home: Mosman, Sydney, Australia. Birthplace: Adelaide, South Australia. Profession: General Practitioner. Organization: Avenue Road Medical Practice in Mosman. Alma mater: Sydney University (BSc (honours, MBBS (honours; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (Fellowship); Moore Theological College (Dip. Bib. Theol.).
Hobbies: Cycling, walking, swimming, tennis, weight lifting; jogging and playing with my kids. Recent travel or adventure: Weekends away to Nelson Bay, The Kangaroo Valley and skiing with my family at Perisher Valley. Last book read: The Cross of Christ, by John Stott. Recently viewed and recommended: Tour de France Unchained (Netflix).
Personality profile: ESTJ (Myers Briggs); sanguine, choleric. Personal virtues: Integrity, joy, determination, energy, contentment. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Determined. Moral compass: Integrity. How do you define a perfect friendship? Trust; the ability to be able to share anything positive or negative; someone who will be there with you through thick and thin. What is your greatest joy? My salvation in Christ. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What is your go-to workout? Interval training on the Balmoral / Mosman hills on my bike. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? My beloved wife.
What was your first paying job? Scrubbing dishes at Party Time Hire. What was your favorite college course? Physiology. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Chariots of Fire. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Jesus, my wife and my counselor. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Always listen to the parents (when treating children). And, “if someone gets sick quick, fix ’em quick; if someone gets sick slow, fix ’em slow.” What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The death and resurrection of Jesus.
What is your big idea?
Simple: spend as much one-on-one time with each of your children as often as you can. It will pay huge dividends in the long run.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Slow down, rest, and seek peace with yourself and those around you. What mega-trend most concerns you? The increasing trend of people alleging that they are victims, rather than taking responsibility for their actions and living moving forward constructively.
As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A doctor. Assuming you had the required training and skill, what would be your alternative profession? Professional tennis player. What advice would you give your younger self? Never lie, always act with integrity.
Personal mission: Authentic relationships, with my Saviour, my wife, my children and my friends. Desired epitaph: He finished the race of life well.