| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My grandparents (on my father's side) and I would take their 44-foot boat up the coast into Canada, sometimes almost to Alaska, and back each summer. We would spend 4-6 weeks cruising places you could only access by boat and exploring the lands, seeing so much wildlife, and having amazing nights in deep connection with fellow boaters. My grandfather and I were very close, and he had such a huge trust in me as a child to get things done on the boat, and to observe the intricacies of nature and how to work with the oceans and local animals, it's all something I will never forget. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I identify most with my grandfather on my father's side. He has always been more of a father to me and shows up with a deep sense of love and presence in all he does. He and I even discuss where my dad goes awry, and the problems we face in life, and how we overcome them, all while having a fondness for nature. Just last year, he and I camped in the Cascade Mountains in the northwest, and can do so with similar energy, approach, and excitement that both peace and growth take place. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I love radical honesty that is delivered with love. I do believe people crave honesty, but it's usually charged from a previous conflict or experience, and we deliver it with intent to hurt or hold over someone. When I meet others who are able to own the truth of who they are and then deliver the truth to whomever is present with them in a way that is received and felt from the heart, it will never cease to bring great admiration. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | On a trip to Iceland, my best friend and I had no plans on what our itinerary was upon arrival, as I tend to trust it will work out once we arrive in a place. We were directed to a specific hike and met two women on the hike, they had planned every stop with no leeway for spontaneous plans. They shared their plans and so we ended up at the same campsite that night. While my friend and I were cooking inside we saw two guys specifically who seemed like jerks. Their energy, look and vibe was off-putting, and our faces showed that we mutually felt that. Later when connecting with the two women we met, they said two guys were also interested in playing cards, and of course, it was those two. After initial friction, they are both some of my closest male friends to this day, one actually calling me to be a best man. I love deep cosmic humor for bringing people together like this. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I would travel around the US for a while creating free workshops for people to attend and heal more of their traumas and conflicts. So many people are lonely, broken, hurt, and then don't share it. I want to create more safe places to express all the words, emotions, and hearts that need to be expressed. After doing so in the US, I would look to Europe and seek others to help expand the program to other countries where more people could use such good energy to heal and connect with fellow humans. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I do plan on having children and I want to pass on the strength and courage to face whatever they want to in their life. I wish someone had modeled that to me, and while my grandfather did to an extent, it was not his role to teach this. I want them to feel so much love for who they are and choose to be, that they truly feel free to create the life they want, supported by the courage to face the hardships that come their way. |
