About Me

I’m a husband, a stepfather, a speaker, and a coach who is passionate about people finding and doing their most important work to bring them fulfillment and success.  The more I work with clients, the more I feel that these two need to be seen as inseparable. 

 I love uncommon conversations, being outside, and spending time with my wife.  I’ve worked with people in the roles of manager, leader, consultant, chairman, mentor, and coach through seven careers, working in many countries.  I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for 45 years and was certified as a meditation instructor in that tradition by Pema Chodron in 1982.   I have taught basic Buddhism and Compassionate Warriorship a lot, and given meditation instruction to many.  While Buddhism is central to my life, I don’t talk about it unless asked – and I am certainly not into converting anyone!  That said, it informs everything I do, and it is extremely helpful in my coaching work.  I have taught many coaching clients to meditate and they find it helpful in many ways.  Mindfulness may be popular, even fashionable, at the moment.  It is helpful to many people, but there is so much more to the path of meditation than that! 

 I became a certified professional coach in 2000 (trained by the excellent Coaches Training Institute) and I am a member of the International Coaching Federation.  I moved to Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1987 and I love it here - one of the best decisions of my life.   

 I have spent so many years in so many careers (seven to date) in so many countries building so many relationships with business people and entrepreneurs.  This experience taught me that many of us are struggling.  Too many of us are afraid to admit that the challenges we face are immense, that we feel vulnerable, and that grief and loss are constant companions.  That’s why I don’t just coach the business person in you.  I coach you in all your roles.

For me it’s always been about getting to the truth, the heart of the matter, the essence. 

At first it seemed to be about science.  That started with a science degree and ended with a PhD in nuclear physics.  I learned a huge amount at university that has helped me later in life, but I found that the truth, the essence, at least in nuclear physics, dissolves into equations.  It was extremely interesting and engaging, but I ended feeling only a little closer to understanding what makes things tick – the “heart essence” as I was later to think of it. 

 So my “quest” went on hold for a while, but it came back in my 30’s.  The same questions were bugging me as in my teens – “What is it all about?  What am I here for?  What’s the best use of me in this life?”  I spent 30 years and 4 careers trying to answer these questions – and I did get to at least some of the answers.  I got there for me.  I’d like that journey to take a lot less time for you!

I discovered Buddhism, the teachings preserved and enriched though long lineages of teachers and students in the aural tradition that had flourished over the past 3000 years, culminating in the Tibetan masters who were forced out of Tibet during the Chinese invasion in the late 1950’s.  Some of those teachers, including my own, made their way to the West and began to teach on the essence of mind.  So many centuries of personal “research” by those lineage masters became accessible through those that ventured out of their haven in India to the west – but only those students brave enough to undertake the demanding paths of training, learning, and meditating have gained access to the highest teachings.  Through great patience from my teachers, many retreats, and much training, I gained some insight and a little realization – enough to keep me continuing on that path for the rest of this life!

 At the same time as studying with these buddhist masters, I pursued regular careers in the corporate world, the consulting world and as an entrepreneur.  I have lived in several countries and worked with many types of people.  My business experience and my buddhist training continued in parallel for over 45 years.  I’ve been successful, on my own terms, and I lead a very fulfilling life.  Part of my life’s purpose is to help people like you also find success and fulfillment on your own terms.  

 What have I learned?A lot!Perhaps most importantly I have learned to listen to others, recognise their obscured wisdom and brilliance, and help them draw it out.For myself I have learned many important things that help me day-to-day (see my Manifesto below for a few).The essence is in the little things of life, the moments.The little things that catch your eye, your senses; catching your thoughts – the ones that send you towards resentment and anger, or maybe ignorance - and the ones that send you towards the positive, the inspirational, beyond the small self.The little tasks that become helpful patterns, the moments the heart opens suddenly in relationships.The journey is endless and wonderful…. More when we meet