About Me
I’m a husband, a stepfather, a speaker, and a coach who is passionate about helping people find and do their most important work - to bring them fulfillment and success. The more I work with clients, the more I feel that fulfillment and success need to be seen as inseparable - we need both.
I’ve worked in the roles of manager, leader, consultant, chairman, mentor, and coach through seven careers, in several countries. I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for 45 years and was certified as a meditation instructor in that tradition by Pema Chodron in 1982. I have taught basic Buddhism and Compassionate Warriorship a lot, and given meditation instruction to many. While Buddhism is central to my life, I don’t talk about it unless asked – and I am certainly not into converting anyone! That said, it informs everything I do, and it is extremely helpful in my coaching work. I have taught many coaching clients to meditate and they find it helpful in many ways.
I became a certified professional coach in 2000 (trained by the excellent Coaches Training Institute) and I am a member of the International Coaching Federation. I moved to Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1987 and I love it here - one of the best decisions of my life.
I have spent so many years in so many careers (seven to date) building so many relationships with business people and entrepreneurs. This experience has taught me that many of us are struggling. Too many of us are afraid to admit that the challenges we face are immense, that we feel vulnerable, and that grief and loss are constant companions. That’s why I don’t just coach the business person in you. I coach you in all your roles.
For me it’s always been about getting to the truth, the heart of the matter, the essence.
At first it seemed to be about science. That started with a science degree and ended with a PhD in nuclear physics. I learned a huge amount at university that has helped me later in life, but I found that the truth, the essence - at least in nuclear physics - dissolves into equations. It was extremely interesting and engaging, but I ended feeling only a little closer to understanding what makes things tick – the “heart essence” as I was later to think of it.
So my “quest” went on hold for a while, but it came back in my 30’s. The same questions were bugging me as in my teens – “What is it all about? What am I here for? What’s the best use of me in this life?” I spent 30 years and 4 careers trying to answer these questions – and eventually I got there, for me. I’d like that journey to take a lot less time for you!
I discovered Buddhism, the teachings preserved and enriched though long lineages of teachers and students in the aural tradition that have survived over the past 3000 years, culminating in the Tibetan masters who emerged from of Tibet in the 1960’s. I was fortunate to meet some of those teachers, who were kind enough to train me and help me work with my unruly mind.
At the same time as studying with these buddhist masters, I pursued regular careers in the corporate world, the consulting world and as an entrepreneur. I have lived in several countries and worked with many types of people. My business experience and my buddhist training continued in parallel for over 45 years. I’ve been successful, on my own terms, and I lead a very fulfilling life. Part of my life’s purpose is to help people like you also find success and fulfillment on your own terms.
I am good at listening to others, recognizing their wisdom and brilliance, and helping them draw it out, fashion it into a path of meaning and fulfillment, and get going on it!
What do you need in your life now? The journey, your journey, may be full of challenge and wonder - even joy! Let’s work together to make it happen.
What can coaching with Geoff do for you?
Some examples of what clients have achieved through coaching with me:
Clarified their spiritual path and found the right practices to follow it and develop in it
Tripled their sales revenue
Repaired (many) deteriorating primary relationships
Realized her job was destroying her life and made the move to a far better position
Realized he wanted to stop working in a job and start his own company. Successfully launched and is doing well
See the Testimonial Page for more