My Story
I said to my wife. “I’m kind of perfect, I don’t have a lot to be coached on.”
She smirked and replied, “You could start with that.”
Why I Coach
While effort is a natural part of life; struggle does not have to be. I am passionate about recognizing and encouraging the potential in others.
I coach to help accelerate positive transformation, to bring lightness of being, and genuine sustainable progress. Together we will rouse the feeling of being alive, courageous, and on purpose.
I coach to express gratitude to my many teachers, and mentors by paying it forward and to support people to thrive, through discovery, awareness, and choice.
About Me
Too young to understand the concept of abandonment but somehow cognizant enough to form a maladaptive vow to harden my heart, the story truly began a few months shy of my third birthday.
I am left alone in a decrepit, urine smelling bus stop. I can still summon that feeling of being a hurt, and scared little boy as I gripped tightly onto my child-sized suitcase.
A Stoic Philosopher, Seneca, was quoted as saying, “. . . while we can’t choose our parents, we do have the ability to choose whose children we will be.” I had the rare experience of “choosing my family.” Once safe, I declared that the lady who picked me up from the bus-stop to be my “Mom” and miraculously, it came to be.
However, being an infant, I promptly forgot the whole ordeal and was raised in a “bubble of secrecy.”
At fourteen, I was unexpectedly reminded about my birth and the pubescent rationale for my territorial independence. Out of respect and a request from the amazing woman that raised me, I changed my name when legally permitted.
“. . . Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
- excerpt from poem by Mary Oliver
Further highlights include innumerable bodily disasters, three (or was it four) concussions. A broken spine plus fractured skull being the pinnacle of youthful foolishness and invincibility. Search & Rescue sending a helicopter to reclaim my dignity is another of many great adventures.
A few too many workplace mishaps compelled me to leave the family construction business. Motivated by the 1987 movie “Secret of My Success” I furthered my education in order to “conquer” the business world.
Divorced young and remarried to an outstanding woman and life partner for the past 20+ years, we are currently working on my “third retirement” (it appears I am not particularly good at retirement). Hiring a sabbatical coach enabled us to have the courage to take time off and travel the around the world and compelled us to choose where we live based on desire, no longer because of work.
As a successful international executive, I have worked extensively and/or lived in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, New York, Olot (Spain), and Sydney (Australia). I have been promoted numerous times in every organization and enjoyed a plethora of VP titles culminating as President for Canada and then Australia for a remarkably successful software company. I equate success in the business world from adding value, contributing more than I cost and leading via inspiration rather than authority.
My values and what I strive for are simplicity; being present; authenticity and empathy. Having fun and seeking adventure are always top of mind.
Better is
Always Possible™