We all have a story. Mine started as an immigrant kid in New York, USA learning that I’m in my element when I am with passionate, intelligent, entrepreneurial people. I believe in the importance of hard work and the opportunities that come one’s way when one dares to take responsibility and action.
My skills for working with people came to the fore in my first summer job in an electronic shop. I worked for cash because technically I was too young to work. However even back then I hugely valued the independence that came with having a job. I was good at selling not because I was passionate about sales but because I understood and identified with hard working people. I was interested in their stories and lives. I listened and took time to understand their needs and I recommended what best matched. I outsold others because I made an authentic connection with people. I cared. I believe those two years working in Brooklyn have helped shape me into the person I am today.
Like many others, my early life choices were strongly influenced by external pressure and lack of consistent confidence to respect my inner voice. I spent close to fifteen years as a scientist studying how our brains form and function. This career path was a response to my parent’s pressure to become a medical doctor: a way to please them while also studying something I found fascinating. While I didn’t know it at the time, my interest in brain plasticity has taken me towards my current work with people helping them learn and develop skills and courage to act and succeed.
I achieved my neuroscience degree, earned my honours, got into one of the top science school in the world (Caltech) and finished my PhD with much success. Yet inside there was always a voice saying “this is not you” working at the bench. It took me an additional three years to decide to stop playing with brain tissue in a lab and apply my skills towards developing people’s brains in daily life. This process involved much difficult self-analysis to understand what I enjoyed most and how to make the best use of the many skill sets I have been given and which I actively develop. I have a passion for original ideas and innovation and applying it to every day problems in a way that can be noticed sooner than much of laboratory work, working with others on challenging problems, sharing and creating new learning while developing myself and others to be at our best. It is these qualities that represent the job I have now.
Today, after a fifteen-year journey, I can finally say I get to do what I always wanted and use the knowledge and skills I have developed in neuroscience for what I wanted. I work with some of the brightest scientists and business people in the world who focus on the toughest challenges. I get to be a critical thinking partner, an inspiration and motivator when it counts the most. Our interactions help those I work with achieve more than they thought possible. I build productive friendships and collaborations, and I get to contribute to the world around me in a way that fits my advanced skills and renews my passion for work and human spirit and potential every day.
The years I spent as a scientist have proved very useful to my new career: I’m an expert learner, a visionary, and a creative problem solver who understands how brains work. I can therefore use the best in psychology and neuroscience research and translate it into practical information people can use to generate results. To this skill set I have added advanced coaching and neuro linguistic programming (NLP) skills to become an inspirational speaker, top level coach, highly effective trainer and strategic advisor.
My background sowed the seed of a passion for human life and the beauty and preciousness of time we each have to create results. My experiences taught me that we are all on a journey to become the best version of ourselves if we follow our intuition. We are at our best when we are authentic.
Where I focus and apply my talent and effort now is helping people aim high and deliver their best. We all carry a voice of doubt and fear. The voice that says: “you can’t”, “you shouldn’t”, “who are you to even try?”, “who are you kidding?”. But if we can imagine a compelling vision and develop strategies to manage that voice we are often capable of amazing results. Time really does count because it’s the only thing we have that runs out on us and what ultimately kills dreams and talent. To succeed we do not have time for constant procrastination or settling for low standards, we have to make time count.
Imagine if you, your organisation, your family and friends chose to set higher standards, demanded more from yourself and others, took action today with energy, conviction and certainty of success. Such action would produce unmistakable, inspiring difference. It would raise the quality of your life, and possibly even the world around you. I bring my experience and skills to work with that potential: finding it, motivating it and converting it into action and outstanding results. I help individuals and organisations figure out the vision, identify gaps, then develop effective strategies to raise the standard, to step up and make things happen. It’s about Making Time Count.
I look forward to meeting you.
PS: If I want to unwind, I go dancing or rollerblading, tackle a chunk of clay or enjoy good wine and fun company.