My unique qualifications for assisting others as a Life Coach come from whole-heartedly dedicating myself to what I love and going after life goals with certainty. Along the way I have helped others find strategies to do the same.
The qualities I bring to coaching are a trust-building directness and the ability to create a positive atmosphere that encourages self-responsibility. Listening carefully and then providing appropriate feedback is the first step. Helping you identify and eliminate excuses is another key that is essential to your ability to take action and achieve your desired goals.
Personal History
Being the oldest of nine children, I learned to cope with family responsibilities after the sudden death of my father when I was eighteen years old. With a history of first looking after my family and then starting two successful businesses, I had also learned to coach and assist others at a young age.
I was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, into a Mennonite family. We moved to Prespatou, British Columbia when I was ten years old. There were no roads, no schools, no electricity, no television or radio. Our only contact with the outside world was the Western Producer (WP), a weekly farming magazine with a single sports page. My dreams of being in the National Hockey League began by reading about players like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito in the WP. This in turn led me to become a huge Chicago Black Hawk fan.
As steadfast pioneers my family found ways to get the job done, even when we didn’t have all the necessary equipment, tools or money. Our goal was to survive and then eventually prosper, which we did.
In order to be successful in life you start with a realistic assessment of where you are at and then you find a way to move forward. I have always had a strong conviction that there is a way for everyone to succeed. My foundation in life coaching is based on this philosophy.
Essential elements of coaching include helping people to believe in themselves and to uncover the courage to follow their intuition. When we talk, I listen carefully and begin to deftly cut through the more superficial layers so we can discover together what it is you really want from life. The path is then laid out and the guidance begins. Every path is as unique as the individual you are.
Work Experience
Below is a list of life experiences that have been instrumental in helping me hone my life-coaching skills:
• Raised on a farm, I also worked in the lumber industry during the winters. We did custom land clearing. I ran a 30-ton crane, owned a welding truck, a gravel truck and drove a cab between jobs.
• Started a trucking company at 24 in partnership with my brother. We had two employees. By age 28 I had a net worth over a $ ¼ million.
• Began volunteering in hockey for a Junior B team in Fort St. John, British Columbia at age 25 and continued with the hockey path over the next 30 years.
• At age twenty-nine, after five years in the trucking business, my younger brother and I sold the company and I invested in a retail men’s wear retail store.
• At thirty I moved from the retail business to take a a job with the Seattle Breakers of the Western Hockey League—as the trainer and bus driver.
• Besides being their trainer and bus driver, I taught the players how to get along with their coach and how to identify what he was communicating to them. They learned how to change negative habits and and avoid problems. I was able to cut through what was irrelevant and to communicate to the players what others wouldn’t, so they could move forward toward the next level in their sport and in their life.
• After a year I became Director of Player Personnel which entailed scouting, drafting, recruiting and developing players. During this tenure the Seattle Breakers were renamed the Seattle Thunderbirds. We went on to participate in the Memorial Cup.
• At the same time, I was responsible for the purchase and development of a farm team for the Seattle Thunderbirds—the Surrey Eagles—a member of the British Columbia Hockey League. The development of my life coaching skills continued here.
• Concurrently, while still based in Seattle, took a part-time position as a scout for Tampa Bay Lightning, an expansion team new to the National Hockey League.
• By 1993, had become a full-time scout for Tampa Bay Lightning and eventually became their Chief Scout. My responsibilities included overseeing the twelve-man scouting department, the scouting budget and developing the players we drafted. It also entailed world-wide travel and keeping a database of thousands of players worldwide. As the Chief Scout I took the lead in interviewing players for the draft, and then continued to work with those we selected and prepare them for the rigors of the every day pro-hockey life.
• In 2004, our team won the Stanley Cup. By now I was involved in the day-to-day development of the players and traveled with the team to play-offs. I was on hand to help them deal with the tremendous pressures of being on the Stanley Cup run.
• The following is a partial list of other influencing experiences along the way:
• EST training, Vancouver B.C. – 1978
• Ten 10 day vow of silence at Wat Suan Mokkh in Thailand.
• Seminars with Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Anthony Robbins, author of Unlimited Power
• Seminars with Dan Millman, author of The Peaceful Warrior
• Studied the writings of Carl Rogers, originator of Person-centered therapy (PCT), also known as person-centered psychotherapy, client-centered therapy and Rogerian psychotherapy. Carl Rogers authored several books including, On Becoming a Person (© 1961)
• Experienced psychic surgery in Baguio City, The Philippines
• Climbed Mt Rainier to base camp
• Completed 9-week Bikram Yoga Teachers' Training
• Taught Bikram Yoga class at Headquarters, Los Angeles
