PROFESSION:  Executive Director, ResilientHeart.org

HOMETOWN:  New Zealand

COLLEGE:  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

FAVORITE FOOD:  Dim sum

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED:  Bodo, Norway

PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT:  Tibet

HOBBIES:  Playing with my 6 year old, so dolls (LOL), Chalet (LOL), and Hatchimals! Camping and outdoors. Meditation and all things healthy for body, mind, and spirit.

BACKGROUND: I spent 10 years counselling marriages as a minister before heading off to Wall Street in New York. I travelled around the world advising the wealthy. My world collapsed when I went through a high conflict divorce and nearly lost custody of my 2 year old daughter. She was emotionally distraught and so was I. I realized I needed to be an emotionally whole and solid Dad for her sake.  

Fortunately my lawyer suggested I take a class to boost my emotional resilience. In just 4 weeks, my emotional resilience changed, and my daughter transformed as a result. I visited her at school and watched her leading, caring, and helping. I have since dedicated myself to helping others gain emotional resilience and co-founded the non-profit www.ResilientHeart.org.

Today I offer emotional resilience help and coaching to anyone experiencing a tough divorce.

What is your current exercise routine?  I used to do Sonki Fitness Boot Camp, which I absolutely enjoyed, but I live too far from it now. So I alternate days of weight training and HIIT.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  Body and mind are inseparable. They both affect each other far more than we realize. Our bodies can store emotional tension and trauma. While meditation and mental exercises can help, certain physical activities can sometimes play a crucial role in emotional resilience. My goal has changed from wanting to look great to wanting my body to be in high vibe, resilient and energetic.  

My second reason is that my daughter is a 6-year old ball of energy. We love the outdoors and any physical activity. I want to keep enjoying that as she grows up.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Like everyone, I get lazy sometimes. But my biggest challenge was being too goal oriented. An example would be wanting to lift ever heavier weights instead of focusing on general fitness. As the weights increased, injuries resulted and my actual fitness level decreased. My focus has changed to lifting more moderate weights, more intense on pulling and lighter on pushing exercises. I also enjoy battle ropes any time I need a quick pick up in energy.

What is your key to success?  Evolving my definition of “success.”  😊

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  The first thing that blew me away about Sonki fitness was how quickly I got fit. On my own, progress often took months. With Sonki Fitness, I was fit in two weeks. I learned that not all things need to change slowly. I experienced a fitness transformation in just two weeks and an emotional resilience transformation in just four weeks. It takes a good plan, but also an intuitive coach to be more successful. Sonki also surprised me at how easy going he was, letting me go at my own pace, yet helping me get the results I wanted.