Pat Murray is the founder of Maths Online, a digital teaching platform that’s helped over 1.5 million students understand math in a simpler, faster way. He’s known for breaking down complicated topics so they actually make sense—even for kids (or parents) who’ve always hated math. With decades of teaching experience and a WHY of Simplify, Pat’s mission is clear: make learning easier for everyone.
Tune in to learn:
- Why most kids aren’t actually “bad at math”—and what’s really holding them back
- How Pat went from pro rugby to creating one of the most-used online math programs
- What teachers and parents need to know about AI, financial literacy, and fixing the education system
If you’ve ever struggled to help a child with their homework, or wondered what’s missing in today’s schools, this episode is worth your time. Listen now.
Watch Full Episode Here!
- 1:45 – The WHY Behind Maths Online
- 5:10 – Making Math Simple and Memorable
- 10:08 – From Rugby Career to Teaching Millions
- 14:55 – What’s Really Broken in Math Education
- 18:20 – The Fear of Math Starts with Teachers
- 23:30 – Why Most Kids Think They’re “Bad at Math”
- 27:45 – AI’s Role in Learning (and Why It Won’t Replace Us)
- 31:10 – The Need for Financial Literacy in Schools
- 34:42 – Pat’s Mnemonics and Teaching Hacks
- 38:50 – Building a Business Around Purpose and Family
Listen to the Full Episode Here!
“You’re Not Bad at Math—You’ve Just Had Bad Teaching”: What Pat Murray Wants Every Parent (and Teacher) to Know
If you’ve ever sat at the kitchen table helping a kid with homework and found yourself googling “how to do long division (again),” you’re not alone. Math anxiety is real—for students and adults. And according to Pat Murray, it’s not your fault. Pat is the founder of Maths Online, a platform that’s helped over 1.5 million students worldwide finally understand math in a way that actually sticks. In a recent episode of Beyond Your WHY with Dr. Gary Sanchez, Pat broke down what’s really going wrong in education—and what we can do to fix it.
Pat’s superpower is simplification. With a WHY of Simplify, his entire mission is about removing the confusion, fluff, and frustration from learning. Whether it’s a struggling third grader or a panicked high schooler facing trig, Pat’s approach is all about giving people confidence in their ability to learn. He’s been a classroom teacher, a rugby player, and now a global educator whose lessons are used in schools, homes, and even inside McDonald’s Australia (yeah, that happened).
How We’re Accidentally Teaching Kids to Hate Math
One of the most eye-opening moments in the episode is when Pat reveals that about 32% of elementary teachers admit to having math anxiety. That’s a big deal—because teachers pass that anxiety on to their students, often without realizing it. By the time kids hit high school, nearly half of them believe they’re “just not math people.” But Pat challenges that belief hard: “They’re not bad at math—they’ve had bad instruction.” His goal is to change the narrative by showing kids and parents that math is teachable, learnable, and actually kind of fun… when it’s explained the right way.
Pat’s platform takes the pressure off by letting kids learn at their own pace, with lessons designed to build confidence, not confusion. He even offers a 7-day trial with no credit card required—because, as he puts it, “I don’t want anyone thinking they’ve been stitched up.” That’s the kind of trust-building we don’t see enough of in education platforms.
The Education Shift That Needs to Happen—Fast
In the episode, Pat and Gary dig into how outdated many school curriculums still are. Spoiler alert: teens are still being forced to memorize math formulas they’ll never use, while no one’s teaching them how credit cards work. Pat wants that to change. “Teaching kids to be financially savvy is something that’s really missing in all curriculums,” he says. He’s calling for a shift toward practical financial literacy—less abstract algebra, more real-world math. Not to replace the basics, but to make sure students don’t leave school completely unprepared for adult life.
There’s also a clear sense that the system itself isn’t built for real learning—it’s built for memorization and testing. That’s a problem, especially when we know deeper understanding leads to better long-term outcomes. Pat’s approach is proof that when you simplify the message and make learning personal, kids can not only get it—they can thrive
AI, Teaching Hacks, and the Power of Walking Away
You’d think someone this deep into tech-driven education would be all-in on AI. And he is—but with a catch. “Treat AI as an assistant to help you,” he says, “but don’t let it take over your thinking.” He’s clear: no chatbot will ever replace the value of human logic, problem-solving, or a really good teacher. That said, he’s not afraid to use every tool in the box. Like his now-famous trigonometry mnemonic: “Some Old Hags Can’t Always Hide Their Old Age”—which sticks way better than SOHCAHTOA.
The episode also drops a life lesson that goes way beyond the classroom: sometimes the fastest way to complete a project is to drop it. If something’s not working, Pat says, it’s smarter to pivot early than to throw good time after bad. It’s this mix of wisdom, humility, and practicality that makes his teaching—and this episode—so impactful.
Pat Murray isn’t just fixing math grades—he’s rebuilding how people feel about learning. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, or someone who still flinches when they hear the word “fractions,” this episode will change the way you think about education. It’s full of straight talk, practical tips, and a big reminder that anyone can learn when the teaching makes sense.