The former sprinter competed at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 but shot to fame when he reached the finals of the 100m and 200m at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
The 36-year-old is also remembered for that other moment - when he dropped the baton with the New Zealand 4x100m relay team in a medal position at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, in 2006.
A few years later, Donaldson was part of the New Zealand bobsled team's bid for Winter Olympic glory but the team was forced to fold when the driver Alan Henderson was injured.
These days, the former athlete is a respected physical trainer and last week landed a dream job as the Blacks Caps strength and conditioning coach.
Donaldson headed the Otago cricket strength and conditioning programme last summer and in recent years has also worked as a fitness consultant for the New Zealand Winter Olympic team, the Silver Ferns, Otago Rowing and is currently in Brisbane with the New Zealand A team for an emerging players tournament.
"It is going to be a challenge and that is what it is all about," Donaldson said of his new role.
"I'll be challenging myself and developing my own skill set. It is also an opportunity to work with a team which is high-profile ... and the expectations are increased on all the management group to perform."
When the bobsled team disbanded, Donaldson re-evaluated his athletics career and eventually decided to retire.
"It was a very hard decision. Athletics had been a part of my life for 20 years basically, and I had all these dreams. I guess, in many ways, I probably hung on to them too long but I always enjoyed the physical aspect and competitive nature of it.
"But work and my career took over and I just couldn't give it the same amount of time."
Donaldson has "nearly" finished a graduate diploma in physical conditioning but his greatest qualification comes from practical experience and learning first hand what works and what does not.
A relatively late convert to cricket, Donaldson played at school but his athletics career took over.
He was initially attracted to limited-overs cricket but has developed a passion for the longer form of the game since becoming more closely involved.
Working in a team in environment has been welcome change for Donaldson.
"Cricket is a little bit different from track and field, obviously. And I've really enjoyed the team aspect. It is strenuous and tiring, at times, but more often than not it is a lot of fun."
While cricket is often viewed as a sleepy sport with room for that chubby bloke who clubs the ball to boundary and is not too keen on quick singles, Donaldson said the players needed to be a lot fitter than people thought.
"Ultimately, it is still a skill-based sport," he said.
"But it is one of the few sports where you play for a full day. They are out there for eight hours and they have to back it up five days in a row.
"There are also moments of high intensity, where they chasing the ball or setting off for quick runs."
