About Me
Look for the helpers
If I were to describe myself in one word, it would be Helper. I believe that many people in my life would
agree. Mister Fred Rogers attributes this quote to his mother, “Look for helpers. You will always find
people who are helping.” It’s one of my favorite quotes, not only for the inspirational value, but because
helping is always my first response. Recently, my wife and I were leaving our vacation rental, when she
silently reached over and took a bag from my hand. A few steps later, I saw an elderly couple near the
dumpster, clearly puzzled about how to get it open, and realized why she took the bag. I looked at my
wife and before I could say I word, she said, “I know.” And off I went. It is truly humbling to know that the people in my life are so aware that, if help is needed, I am going.
The broken road
I was coaching long before I became a Coach. As early as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed listening to people talk about themselves and their lives. My inquisitive nature and penchant for problem solving, enabled me to ask questions as they told their stories. This guided questioning, fostered self-exploration and helped them author a plan to reach their goals. This skill served me well in my early years of customer service, through a career in law
enforcement, and during my subsequent career as a small business owner. Though I have coached both
formally and informally in those roles, it was relatively recently that I understood my passion for coaching and set out to obtain a formal coaching education.
Down to business
Through a twelve-year law enforcement career, I was able to help the community in numerous ways,
often utilizing natural coaching skills. When I was forced to retire from law enforcement due to two
serious car accidents, I spent several years regaining my strength through surgeries and physical
therapy. It was those years that taught me resilience and determination beyond previous expectations.
After six years, I was strong enough physically, mentally and emotionally to re-enter the work force. I
was not able to return to law enforcement, so I started a new career adjacent to the medical billing
industry. I knew nothing about this industry on the day I started. However, I was uniquely qualified for
the position due to my experience as an investigator, as well as my desire to help others. I learned
everything I could and today, I own that very same business that took a chance on my re-entry into the
workforce.
As a business owner, I am yet again able to help people every day. For many years, during onsite visits
with clients, I’d stop in to say hi to various staff and would spend time coaching them. I wasn’t there as a
coach. Honestly, at the time, I didn’t even know what I was doing was coaching. I was there as a helper
with the realization that my clients’ businesses would function best, if their staff felt seen and heard. I’ve
also coached my own staff in many areas of growth throughout the years. I believe that my ability to
coach rather than boss is the reason for our stellar retention rate. The common thread throughout my
career and personal life has been helping.
Family matters
This lifelong desire to help has uniquely qualified me to be a thriving member of the sandwich
generation. My wife and I parent two school-aged neurodivergent children, while acting as caregiver to
both of my parents, as well as two aunts. I’ve developed techniques and systems that allow me to
ensure that everyone’s needs are met, no appointments are missed, and, most importantly, deep
connection is maintained. I also thrive on education and research. So, when my daughter was having
issues with executive function, I immediately began learning how I could help her to create processes,
routines and patterns that would help her reach her goals, while maintaining her self-confidence. When
both of my parents were enduring major illnesses, I had a great deal of medical information to maintain,
appointments to schedule and attend, and responsibilities to complete. Again, I developed a system that
would allow me to be the best caregiver I could be, while continuing my role as a parent and business
owner.
In March of 2020, I brought my mom home after a two-month hospital stay. I knew she would need a
great deal of help over the coming months and years. Honestly, I felt overwhelmed. We were two years
onto my father’s battle with cancer and now my mother had suffered a brain injury that left her with
limited mobility and great cognitive delay. Moments after getting her situated in a makeshift bedroom
on the first floor, I received notification from my children’s school that there would be no classes for two
weeks. I’d been so busy caring for my parents, that this was my first knowledge of what would come to
be unprecedented changes and concerns for society. Suddenly, I realized that what I’d perceived to be
resilience and determination in the past was nothing compared to the strength I’d need to continue to
care for those who needed my care. Not long after, I came to realize that millions of people were feeling
the same way I was. Maybe their circumstances were different, but I repeatedly heard people and small
business owners use the word overwhelmed. I had recently had my own successful experience with a
business coach, and I decided to obtain formal training. I’ve been coaching ever since. The rewards of
guiding people on their personal journey or growing their small business are beyond my wildest
expectation.
Sadly, I’ve had the honor of loving two family members through their transition from this physical world.
They had both lived long lives (but never long enough). They were both role models to me throughout
my life. They were brothers, who were as different as they were similar. They were both helpers in their
own way. They were both the helpers of which Mister Roger’s mother spoke, and they would expect no
less from me.
How can I help you?