Ever since I can remember, I’ve been utterly fascinated by how we think.

As a young boy, I questioned everything. I wanted to know the why behind everything. Parents, you know what this looks like. Eventually my mother bought me a colossal encyclopedia set to liberate herself from my dogged persistence. 

While earning my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and English at James Madison University, my search for the why behind everything began to shift to the how behind everything. Most notably - how we think. College spring breaks were spent sitting quietly at the San Francisco Zen Center on Page Street, the first urban monastery in the West, observing my mind and thoughts as the sounds of car horns and city dwellers drifted in from outside. 

My passion to serve others blossomed and I completed a Master’s degree in Education with Honors at Emory and Henry College, going on to teach high school English for a number of years before I heard the siren’s call of grand adventure. Hiking the 2600 mile Pacific Crest Trail pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of and taught me that adventure lies within. This five-month journey cemented my drive to support others to break through limiting beliefs and to not only dream big but live big. 

Once settled back in my hometown of Richmond, VA, I became fascinated with what set great leaders apart. I created a thriving career in the world of leadership development - fostering self awareness, emotional intelligence and authentic relationships in the corporate world. I helped and continue to help countless leaders to see that we can only manage that which we are aware of. And now as a leadership coach, I help my clients understand themselves, the people they’re in relation with and the world around them to live fulfilling and impactful lives.

Coaching is a wide and diverse industry, both in subject matter as well as renown. As a client, it can be difficult to navigate the range of claims, stories, testimonials and services offered by those who call themselves coaches. Unlike psychologists, coaches are not legally required to become accredited or certified in order to use the title of coach. Theoretically, this means that anyone can call themselves a coach, regardless of the amount of training or experience they’ve undergone. This makes life harder for those seeking a coach because it’s even more difficult to determine who actually has the skill set and instruction to help you on your journey.

For this reason, accreditation from an institution is paramount. The main accrediting body in coaching is the International Coaching Federation (ICF). In order to become accredited, coaches must undergo rigorous study, training, mentoring and examination. They also must continue their studies in order to keep their accreditation.

WHEN A COACH IS ACCREDITED THROUGH THE ICF, YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE FOR THEIR COACHING PRACTICE, JUST AS ANY PROFESSIONAL DEGREE.