Philosophy

There is so much talk about “leadership,” “success,” “sales,” and “impact” out there.

Focusing on “ends” and outcomes and external measures of success.

But to whats ends?

It leaves us feeling drained, conflicted, overwhelmed, hopeless, torn between what is expected of us and what we really think is best, going through the motions…

EXISTING instead of BEING

What about focusing on areas of deep-meaning, and exploring
what that looks like in how we live the entirety of our lives?

My Approach to Coaching

I know what it’s like to have overlapping obligations and commitments, be pulled in many different directions, doing what’s needed and expected, trying to catch up, trying to reach the next milestone.

No matter how many band aids I put on, I was still living the same life.

I did the work, got the job, I accomplished, but I didn’t have a fulfilling life.

I wanted to live in full color, but instead I lived a black and white version of my dreams through outside parameters of what I “should” need, want and do.

Where was that level of deep satisfaction I’ve been looking for my whole life?

Where was the full-color version?

Was there even one?

Could I live a more fulfilling life, based on deep meaning and replete with richly textured experiences and relationships?

HERE’S THE THING: THE ANSWER IS YES!

After 20+ years of struggle, frustration, and turmoil, I discovered for myself that I could live how I wanted to, with a sense of clarity, ease, and purpose.

My job got easier, and I was doing it better!

Financial concerns flipped overnight!

Personal relationships became deeper and more meaningful!

Life is different when we are intentional about being the way we want to be. 

It’s an entirely different experience from just leaving the “how” of our lives up to the Universe to solve.

(Not that the Universe won’t align to offer support, but it’s almost the same as those who are so busy waiting to be “saved” that they overlook every lifeline and opportunity thrown their way… overlooking every opportunity that doesn’t arrive with personalized flashing neon signs).

Being clear about what matters to us, and why, allows us to respond with intentionality instead of simply reacting. we get to respond with clarity in the way that we want to, aligned with our highest values.

How we think about and approach things is how we live a different life. Indeed, given how many things are beyond our personal control, really, life is 10% how we make it and 90% of how we take it.

Life can be so much better when we are able to let go of the rat race.

IMAGINE: 

Being accepted, received, and appreciated for who you ARE, not for what you DO!

Living a life of meaning, aligned with your deepest values & wishes.

Waking up feeling energized.

Feeling deeply satisfied at the end of the day, knowing that the best version of you showed up in all of your decisions and interactions.

A depth (groundedness) and a lightness of being.

Being the version of yourself you want to be.

Life is always going to have new twists and turns, but rather than these being challenging or overwhelming they are easily assessed and responded to.

Acting with aligned conviction and authentically communicating with self and others.

If you want true transformation, you have to go to the essence.

Juggling, prioritizing, scheduling, etc. can all be effective strategies, but cannot actually transform the underlying foundation. Just as the most beautiful building is only as stable as its foundation, so too with how you live your life.

So, no matter how many adjustments you make, it’s not really sustainable if you haven’t created a new underlying pattern. We all default to patterns. So, when to really break one, you need to create a new one. And this new pattern will stick when it’s rooted in what really matters to you, when it’s built on what’s easy and 2nd nature to you. Fighting against your own values/beliefs doesn’t work – even if you’re not aware this is happening.

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Testimonials

My non-profit organization had fallen into a rut of repetition and lack of vision. Working with Jonathan helped us take a step back and reassess our strengths, purposes, and vision for the future. We were totally transformed. Our growth, in a word, has been ‘astronomical,’ in fundraising, mission execution, and diversity of approach

Charles Davidson

Ph.D., Founder, Innovations in Peacebuilding International Executive Director, Carter School Political Leadership Academy, D.C.

What you can expect from me?

  • Holding non-judgmental, empathetic space for people to feel truly heard, seen, accepted, and understood.
  • Being able to intuitively understand and empathetically relate to others’ experiences.
  • Quickly understanding the “big picture” and then seeing how things are holistically connected.
  • Understanding people’s experiences non-judgmentally. Looking at things holistically, not taking them out of context, through my own frame of reference, not assigning my own labels and meanings, but gaining insights and clarity into their own. Then translate that. Not the old version of leading, where it’s directive: but support and possibilities, to help us create what is most organic and fulfilling in this moment, and in every moment that will be different. Non-judgmental inquiry to figure out what is and what could be. 
  • Partner with you in exploring, discovering, and developing the life you want to lead.

Approaches

In addition to being a Transformational Life Coach and Consultant, I’m also an Associate Professor of cultural anthropology, and have presented to numerous international audiences speaking on topics including performance, embodiment, identity, and gender. 

My academic studies started with exploring how people build personally deep meanings within their cultural contexts for my M.A. thesis over 20 years ago. Since that time, I have had a successful academic career (including numerous peer-reviewed publications) and currently serve as an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas where my courses include “Culture & Medicine” and “Body & Identity.”

Yet academics alone are but one part of the picture. Over the years I’ve worked as a volunteer on a communal farm in Israel and spent a 3-month summer backpacking from Sweden to Egypt. I have worked as an in-studio portrait photographer and done part-time work as a professional ballroom photographer. I have studied and taught ballroom, salsa, and Brazilian zouk dancing on three continents, and recently did my first 3-minute bit in an online Stand Up show, and took a few months of online Improv classes. 

Having provided culturally sensitive coaching and consulting related to my academic work for years, I started my business, Steps Along the Way LLC, to start supporting a broader range of clients across broader range of topics. Doing my primary training through International Coach Academy, I have now worked with a diverse array of clients from Australia, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA. 

Beyond my personal BEING model for transformational life coaching, my approaches also draw on advanced training and certifications in emotional intelligence, body-oriented coaching, and positive psychology.

Academic Background

Ph.D. – University of California San Diego (Psychological Anthropology)

M.A. – University of California San Diego (Psychological Anthropology)

B.A. – University of Redlands (Psychology & Political Philosophy)

 

 

 

Professional Involvement

Fellow – Institute of Coaching, McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate

International Coaching Federation – Accredited Certified Coach 

Coaching Background

Accredited Certified Coach – International Coaching Federation

Certified Professional Coach – International Coach Academy

Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner – Genos International

Body-oriented Coaching – The Somatic School

Positive Psychology Coaching – Mentor Coach

Clear Beliefs Coaching (L1) – Clear Beliefs Institute

 

 

 

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