MY STORY 

My late father was shot and killed 15 minutes into his shift as a police officer in the early hours of September 7th 1994.

 I was negative 2 months old. Yes, you heard that right. Still a fetus in my momma’s belly, suspended in amniotic fluid, incubating, waiting eagerly to take on the world, as one in fetus form does! Oh yeah, AND…. right beside me on this journey was my cosmic sister and womb mate, Kayla!

TWINS. My mother, sister, and I took a swift kick in the proverbial nuts that day. We lost our father. And for our mother, husband. Our protector, leader and integral part of the equation that is our family. 

This event is fundamental to my journey, and the culmination that is ME. With that, I start here.

FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE

Growing up in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, I was surrounded by love, connection, and a strong sense of togetherness within my supportive family. Despite this nurturing environment, the absence of my father, and any other strong male role models left a profound void in my heart.

My journey into adolescence and young adulthood was tumultuous. At 12, I experienced my first taste of alcohol, and by 13, I was smoking cannabis. By 16, getting stoned daily became a routine, soon followed by experimentation with my good pals lsd, mdma, and mushrooms. These substances offered me a temporary sense of comfort, safety, and connection.

From ages 16 to 24, my weekends were filled with heavy drinking, drug use, and partying. I sought solace in these activities while also dedicating myself obsessively to my burgeoning career as a professional jewelry artist. My passion for art became an all-consuming pursuit, driving me to isolate myself in my studio, relying entirely on my work for my self-worth.

The partying, substance abuse, and relentless drive for success were all ways to avoid facing my emotional pain and unresolved issues. As Carl Jung famously said, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." My behaviors and beliefs were deeply rooted in unresolved trauma, and I was oblivious to the forces controlling my life.

Thankfully, my inner pain eventually reached a boiling point, manifesting as severe mental and emotional distress. I felt disconnected, anxious, depressed, shameful, and hopeless. Isolated in my art studio, I struggled to ask for help and felt utterly alone.

During this time, I became a devoted follower of Paul Chek's teachings, consuming hours of his content while working on my art. His guidance resonated with me, and just when I needed it most, he announced his first "Zen in the Garden" workshop at his Rainbow Heights property.

I told myself that if I sold a piece of jewelry within a week, I would attend the workshop. Two days later, I made a $900 sale—just enough to make the trip. That event became a significant catalyst for my transformation. I connected with a supportive community in ways I had never experienced before. They provided a safe space for me, listened, inquired, and guided me through unfamiliar depths of intimacy and healing.

At the workshop, I met Ryan Sprague, my first coach and mentor. He helped me bring awareness to my pain and taught me to connect with it through expressive writing, assessing and rewriting my story, and embracing my emotions. Ryan held a loving and supportive space for me, which was transformative.

As I gained clarity and gathered tools to heal, I began making impactful changes in my life. This newfound perspective opened my eyes to the world and myself. I immersed myself in the health, wellness, and coaching space, attending transformational retreats, workshops, and countless hours of self-study through podcasts and books. I earned certifications in holistic health coaching and mindset coaching through the Chek Institute, Enlifted, and more. 

These experiences led me to host my own retreats and workshops, build a personal coaching practice, and co-found Brothers Beyond with one of my closest brothers, Ryan Witherspoon.

Today, I am dedicated to helping men heal, grow, and build supportive communities, transforming their pain into a powerful force for good.

I wake up each day driven by the desire to help others feel better and become their best selves. My purpose is to create spaces and offer the compassionate and authentic  guidance that I once needed – containers where men can find support, heal holistically, and reconnect with their true nature.

Having faced mental and emotional rock bottom, I understand the critical need for supportive communities and effective tools for navigating inner challenges. My journey through serious mental health issues, addiction, and chronic avoidance has given me the empathy and insight to guide others. It’s this lived experience that fuels my dedication.

Through creativity and healing practices such as expressive writing, narrative therapy, authentic relating, breathwork, meditation, and more - I aim to equip you with the resources necessary to transform your life, leaving you more adept at  positively impacting your family, business, and community.

Integrity, authenticity, geunine human connection, and real health are the pillars guiding my work.

I help you achieve holistic well-being, nurturing your ability to lead a self-directed life, and making meaningful contributions to your immediate circles and beyond.

Your highest dreams are just on the other side of the things you are most afraid to face. Let's confront the dragon and get the gold!