I have moved a lot throughout my life which has helped me to learn to adapt quickly and survive without a lot of stability. Even when things looked stable, they rarely were. I have been through goods and bad, highs and lows. I believe that the sum total of these experiences makes me uniquely qualified to help guide other men. All of my experiences have helped me in developing profound empathy for others. Check out more of my story here.
I am fortunate to have had multiple men and women who have served as mentors/guides for me over the past 20+ years. Throughout adulthood, I’ve chosen a different path. I entered the world of business right out of high school and quickly stepped into managing a small business. After many years, I decided to work in the non-profit world.
Working with and in non-profit organizations for over 20 years has allowed me the opportunity to the opportunity to support and guide over 1,500 men, helping them to deepen their relationships with themselves and others.
Working with the many mentors and guides in my own life has allowed me to draw upon their life experiences; the challenges they have personally been through, such as their marriages, parenting their kids, their failures and wins, and their joy.
One of these men I was blessed to work with along the way started as a mentor and turned into a second father to me. Merle Engle has spent almost 25 years resourcing me with his love and delight. My youngest son, Jake, is named after him, Jakob Merle Ellsmore. I have discovered that there is always something to learn in my weekly talk with Merle, as there is from all the men and women who have imparted their wisdom upon me all these years. I’m seeing that learning never stops, no matter what age you are. I spend time with people who are older, younger, or the same age as me. I find that a variety of age ranges opens us to be younger in heart and wiser in years.
My education has been relationship driven, learning by listening from others. I’ve chosen the path of sitting with people, listening to people, crying with people, and walking with people, versus spending years sitting in a classroom learning. I understand the value of both, and I believe one isn’t better than the other, just different. I am a down-to-earth guide who remains relationship-driven. Serving as an intimacy and sexual intimacy guide flows easily out of who I am. Building intimate relationships and helping others build intimate relationships is what I do, and more importantly, it’s who I am.
I have completed my Life Coaching Certification through New Skills Academy, Certificate #355TBO6X as well as extensive mentoring from others who are experienced life coaches.