In our fast paced culture we are often confronted with complex problems that may not be easily navigated. My diverse and unconventional experiences have honed my ability to zero in on essential elements in dynamic circumstances. I am a keen listener with a natural inclination towards problem solving. Knowing how and when to ask the right questions, being able to anticipate next steps and finding or creating alignment in divergent situations are just some of the ways I can offer guidance as an experienced and trusted sounding board. 
My time as an accomplished competitive athlete helped me practice and fine tune my inner voice and instinct for efficiency and success. Sometimes we struggle to see the path forward or allow ourselves to be distracted by external stimuli. Learning how to become more self aware and optimize ourselves from within can give us the freedom and momentum to spring forward and live to our greatest potential.

Instructing and facilitating group learning goes far beyond sharing and demonstrating technique in my eyes. Conscious of factors such as varying rank, ability and age, I aim to provide an inclusive and constructive environment for growth in group scenarios. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching and traveling internationally, conducting workshops for intimate to large group upwards of 160 in singular or multi-day seminars and camps. I work with each host to coordinate a lesson plan that addresses their specific desires or needs and use a combination of demonstration, drilling, live situational sparring and Q&A to instruct. Articulating and communicating my methods and ideas clearly and effectively is something place a great deal of focus on. I firmly believe that students who have a principled understanding of what is taught will have more success adopting and adapting new knowledge into their existing framework.

As a coach I’ve worked hard to develop technical expertise and competency in the art through my own practice. I’ve come to recognize a recreational student and an athlete have very different needs and that they may require separate skill sets. The wealth of experience I’ve accumulated on the mats as a lifelong student and world class competitor has given me much insight into my own learning process. I’ve spent over 20 years understanding and playing the rules of the game, fight strategy, mental mindset and peak performance. I am most excited to guide others as they explore how the sport can help them optimize themselves. Outside of assisting students with acquiring more base technical knowledge, I also cater to coaching and fostering competitive athletes. My decades of experience walking the path of hobbiest and world class performer give me a well qualified and inclusive approach to your needs. It is a real joy to guide and support practitioners of every level on their path to excellence.

Creative writing has given me an outlet to explore the fascinating world we live in. I enjoy finding ways to deconstruct experiences and perspectives to expand my own understanding and to resonate with others. I’ve written on leadership, performance psychology, community and culture, race, immigration, and identity. I believe it’s important to give ourselves the time and space to process what we live through in the various frameworks we exist within. Our socialized world often operates on superficial extremes and we don’t always award ourselves the room to sit thoughtfully with challenging or diverse opinions and ideas. At the heart of my writing process is the desire to filter through the noise and find common ground with my audience on meaningful issues. It is a platform that I value for its accessibility and reach. In my work I hope to create moments of shared reality, spaces where we can appreciate the diversity of all our experiences and remind ourselves of our humanity.