Let’s Rewire Your Path To Growth
Hi, I’m Drew.
I’m an Internal Family Systems informed, ICF-certified coach, on a mission to help you experience true internal transformation by breaking through conditioning and the pressure to be something you’re not.
My goal is to empower you to heal the conflict between your inner and outer worlds, and reach your peak potential. Consider me your unwavering source of motivation, support, and accountability.
Qualified to steer you toward harmony, clarity, and peak performance
M.A. in Organizational Behavior/Leadership
Internal Family Systems Level 1 Certified
Certified ICF coach ACC Level
24+ years of professional experience as a personal guide/coach, helping individuals live their best lives
Your science-backed self-development journey begins here
My mission is to help you achieve clarity, harmony, and growth by leveraging my knowledge—earned via many decades of lived experiences, as well as the study of scientific methodologies—to your benefit. The first step toward this more authentic, purpose-driven life is learning to accept our own emotions and needs. For many of us, this means we need to break out of the ‘Real Man’ construct, which goes something like this…
“Real men don’t_________.”
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“…show their emotions.”
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“…cry.”
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“… ask for / accept help.”
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“…appear vulnerable.”
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“…show weakness.”
Like me, you can undoubtedly fill in that blank from personal experience, having had this phrase thrown at you, a million times, in multiple forms and variations.
The masks we wear as men were forged in those expectations.
Think about it: Who is a ‘Real Man’?
We have been grappling with toxic constructions of masculinity (think the Marlboro man archetype—that rugged, fearless indifferent cowboy who wouldn’t be caught dead ‘feeling vulnerable’) from a very young age. There is tremendous pressure on us to reject vulnerability in favor of stoicism and conform to gender stereotypes and rigid social constructs.
The ‘Real Man’ vs. the Real You
Staying in character to embody certain masculine ideals creates cognitive dissonance between who we really are, and who we feel pressured to be. Our ability to connect with ourselves and build meaningful relationships is stifled. The result? We feel lost and alone, even when surrounded by a sea of people.
To enjoy clarity, deep meaningful connections, harmony, and growth, we have to give up the masks that we wear to conform to the vague, unrealistic standard of a ‘real man’—we have to shake off years of deep-rooted conditioning.
Easier said than done, I know. but I believe in the mind’s power to alchemize suffering into strength by reframing—through physical and chemical transformations—our mental narrative and how we process experiences, past and present. All one needs is the right guidance and a tried and tested approach.
Back to shore against all odds: My story
Much of who I am today is a result of a life-shaping experience in my teens: at 151, I was diagnosed with lymphoma, and doctors declared it terminal. After multiple unsuccessful surgeries, 76 days in the Oncology Intensive Care Unit (many of them spent isolated with only a 10-pound tumor on my bile duct for company), and 6 rounds of high-dose chemo, I surprised doctors, and myself, by surviving.
I came away from this experience with an abundance of joy and gratitude for being alive. At the same time, I knew that if the cancer returned, it would be fatal. Back then, I didn’t think I’d make it past 30, so I decided to pack in as many new experiences as I could.
The desire to spend my time in fulfilling, challenging ways led me to work as a professional ocean lifeguard. I underwent grueling mental and physical training as even a small slip could cost lives.
During the next 10 years, as I battled unforgiving waves, I learnt to deliver peak performance under extreme pressure. I was grateful for the mental resilience and grit this experience armed me with. But then, life threw another curveball— a good one this time. I had now turned 30, and it looked like there was more life ahead of me yet.
By 30, I had almost a lifetime’s worth of incredible experiences and insights. But, I had not been able to connect with others, and myself, at a deeper level.
Up until this point, I’d thought living ephemerally was the right way to move on. I had never processed my mental trauma from my cancer struggle, and I realized that this was a huge barrier standing between me and a more meaningful, connected life. It was time to confront and heal these protective wounds.
Again, this new journey was not without its struggles: For a long time, I believed that I could resolve my issues in a binary way—either I succeed, or I fail. So, I spent years fighting my inner parts, pushing myself to conquer trauma, once
and for all.
But with time and experience, my approach shifted from ‘defeating pain’ toward a gentler, more non-judgmental exploration of my inner world and its parts, understanding the core needs of my wounds, and allowing for my progress to
be non-linear. Instead of repressing my feelings, I tuned in and got comfortable with them. Bit by bit, I gained clarity on my authentic self, which led to harmony between my inner and outer worlds and an easier access to my flow state.
My lived experiences helped me gain valuable insights, tools, and perspectives that are instrumental for a meaningful, successful, and deeply fulfilling life. Now, I want to share these with you.
My top 2 takeaways from lifeguarding:
1. Zoom out to see the whole picture. Under stress, adrenaline gives us tunnel vision. But we then risk missing crucial aspects of the bigger picture. As a lifeguard that could mean lives lost if the focus is just on one victim. In other situations, too, consciously zooming out to see the whole picture can enable better outcomes.
2. Lead with grace toward others’ journey. Some lessons are better learned through experience than instruction. When people under my watch ventured into treacherous waters, despite being warned, I learned how to help them with grace. Today, I use that gentle approach with my clients.
My commitment: to be your beacon of light
A science-backed approach towards harmony and growth
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Firmly rooted in science
Ushering change by rewiring neural pathways
With neuroplasticity, I help you reframe the negative thought patterns that are holding you back. Discover this biological process that anyone can leverage at any time in their lives.
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Focused on your strengths
Reframing the narrative positively
Together, we will work on amplifying your strengths via Appreciative Inquiry (AI)—a holistic, transformational strength-assessment methodology. This proven, positive approach to personal development will help you discover and reinforce the untapped powers that exist within yourself.
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Decidedly non-diagnostic
Deep understanding without diagnosing
I will show you how to view your journey through a holistic, non-diagnostic lens. Based on our findings, I will offer customized support that works in your best interest.
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Strictly non-judgmental
Empathetic exploration, no pre-conceived notions
I’m committed to offering you a safe space and meeting you with understanding, compassion, and empathy. In my process, there is no room for prejudice, judgment, or bias; your truest self is welcome here.
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Unconditionally empowering
Servant leadership vs. instruction
To me, leadership is an act of service. Through servant leadership, I will support you unconditionally as you achieve your goals, while guiding you to become self-reliant.
Trouble deciding? Trust my clients.
Let’s get you to your goals— schedule a session with me
No amount of reviews, testimonials, or information will be able to achieve what a call will. In the end, if there isn’t a connection, or if I cannot help you with the current stage of your journey, I won’t take you on as a client. I am in the incredibly fortunate position of being able to be very selective of who I work with, and because of this I show up in a big way for you. I’m asking a lot of you because I know that’s what it takes to do deep growth work.
It may take a few calls for us to determine if working together is mutually agreeable, and those sessions will never cost money. I can guarantee that regardless of whether or not you choose to work with me, you will walk away with value for your life. And if we do choose to work together you’ll have already seen what is possible, and trust me, you’ll be excited about what you are seeing.
Sometimes it’s the music that gets us there.
Music has always been an outlet for my feelings, especially the ones I was told were not acceptable as a man. This playllist never ceases to make me smile (hence the name), and I hope it brings you joy.