Past Story
Having a past is an inherent aspect of the human experience, and it plays a significant role in shaping who we are today. Our past experiences, whether positive or negative, shape our worldview and influence our behavior, thoughts, and emotions. They contribute to our strengths and weaknesses, character traits, and personal values. These are my past stories...
Shy, sad & bullied at school
From a young age, I have always been someone who ponders deeply about life and the world around me. I often find myself asking questions about my own identity and the purpose of existence. However, my journey toward self-discovery has not been an easy one.
In high school, I experienced the pain of being bullied by people whom I once considered to be my friends. Their constant mockery and insults about my physical appearance left me feeling small and inadequate. I started to dread going to school and would sometimes skip classes for weeks at a time just to avoid the emotional torment.
Although this experience was undoubtedly difficult, it also sparked within me a desire to understand the root causes of bullying and other forms of mistreatment. I became determined to find ways to prevent these kinds of situations from happening to others.
In many ways, my past has helped to shape who I am today. It has taught me to be more empathetic, understanding, and compassionate towards others. It has also motivated me to continue my journey of self-discovery and personal growth. I am grateful for my experiences, both positive and negative, as they have played a significant role in making me the person I am today.
Lost on the journey of discovery
In 2005, I left behind everything I knew in Germany and traveled to Australia in search of new horizons. I was seeking something more, something that would bring meaning and purpose to my life. But when I arrived, I found myself lost and aimless, unsure of what to do or where to go.
Despite the difficulties, I felt inspired to discover both myself and the world around me. It was a time of great introspection, and I spent many hours contemplating my life, my purpose, and my future. But despite my best efforts, I couldn't find the answers I was looking for.
One day, while on a road trip with my now ex-wife, we were driving along the highway when fatigue and the bright orange rays of the morning sun caused me to lose control of the car. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a hospital, fitted with a spinal unit for 24 hours, and in danger of being paralyzed if I moved even an inch.
It was a terrifying experience, and I was in a state of shock as I looked around the hospital. Doctors and patients were rushing around, phones and alarms were ringing, and chaos was everywhere. The nurses pushed me out onto the emergency floor, where I was sitting at a 45-degree angle with only soft tissue damage in my spine - I was fine. As I lay in the hospital bed, I observed the busy staff and the whirlwind of activities around me.
And then, something incredible happened. For the first time in my life, everything stopped, and silence took over. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment, and my mind was completely silent. It was a moment that I will never forget.
That experience changed me in profound ways. It taught me the value of silence and introspection, and it gave me a new perspective on life. I realized that I didn't need to have all the answers to find meaning and purpose. Instead, I needed to be present in the moment, to appreciate the beauty of life, and to be grateful for every experience, no matter how difficult.
2x failed businesses,
1x transformative vision
In 2009, I proudly walked across the stage, diploma in hand, ready to take on the world with my newly minted degree in Marketing. Little did I know that my actual career path would be as crooked as a politician's moral compass.
After a stint at Sony Corporation, I decided to start my own consultancy firm. My vision was crystal clear: help people become the best version of themselves. The execution, on the other hand, was about as clear as mud.
Needless to say, my first attempts at entrepreneurship were a bit of a disaster. Some months were okay, but most of the time, I was living paycheck to paycheck, and by paycheck, I mean praying my card wouldn't get declined at the supermarket checkout.
But here's the thing, I never lost sight of my vision. I knew what I wanted to do, even if I didn't quite know how to get there. So, I made a conscious decision to keep at it, even when things got rough. I was determined to figure it out, to help people break through their emotional barriers, even if it meant facing some serious adversity.
Top of the consulting circuit
In the summer of 2012, I finally had my big break. I started running events on mind science and mindfulness strategies, with international guest speakers, VIP guests, and even some TV and radio personalities. I was consulted by small business owners and fellow consultants on a full-time basis, and I spent a lot of my time helping individuals unleash their true potential. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride!
Finally, I was living the dream! Not only was I leading retreats and seminars, but my financial situation was booming. Life was good, and I was working with the best in the speaking and consulting circuit. I was even rubbing shoulders with people who consulted alongside public figures like Sir Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Donald Trump, and Robert Kiyosaki.
I was due to emerge as an internationally recognized authority on Neuro Linguistic Programming and mindfulness strategies. I could see my future unfold in front of my eyes, and it looked brighter than ever.
But then...everything changed in an instant! And when I say instant, I mean miraculously instant! Something completely unexpected happened, and it left me feeling grateful, humble, and amazed all at the same time.
Intense awareness shift
During that same period, I had the opportunity to meet an unassuming woman. At first, we only talked business, but as we delved deeper into our discussions, I realized how little I actually knew about the things I was supposed to be an expert in. Our time together was the most significant moment of my life, leaving me speechless for months, and inspiring me to write my first book, ‘Instant Silence.’
Suddenly, I knew that what I had accomplished wasn't the end game. I began seeing the world through a different lens and shedding all of my doubts and judgments. This newfound clarity has become the foundation of my vision to serve humanity, a deeply touching experience that continues to guide me today.
Forced into the corporate world
Well, life is quite a funny thing, isn't it? One minute you're soaring high like a bird, and the next minute, you're plummeting down like a rock. And boy, did I have my fair share of ups and downs!
After experiencing a life-altering event that left me with a newfound sense of clarity, I spent the next couple of years feeling like a piece of lint in the wind, aimlessly floating around with no real direction. But despite the uncertainty and confusion, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment.
Then, in November 2014, my wife decided to take a hike (figuratively, of course), leaving me to fend for myself financially. It was a real wake-up call, and I had to act fast. So, I got a job at the Australian Physiotherapy Association, sitting in my little cubicle like a good little office drone.
Looking back on it now, I can honestly say that it was the best decision I could have made. It helped me grow into a more well-rounded and capable person. But let's be real, the corporate world isn't exactly the most exciting place to be. I missed the freedom and independence that came with running my own consultancy firm.
All in all, life is full of surprises, and you never quite know what's going to happen next. But one thing's for sure, I'm grateful for every twist and turn that's led me to where I am today.
Learning & Development Executive
Well, it's safe to say that I've had quite the journey in the world of executive development. From working as a Learning & Development Director for Headspring, to leading teams in Organisational Transformation and career transitioning, and even managing the L&D division across EMEA at Johnson & Johnson, I've done it all.
But despite all of that, I always saw myself as a consultant with a little bit of magic up my sleeve. And it seems that my intuition was spot on, because since leaving J&J in 2016, I've been consulting for some of the biggest multinational companies in the world.
I'm talking about industries like airspace, banking, insurance, telecom, FMCG, and more. I've been driving corporate transformation through the design, development, and deployment of global learning interventions. It's been a wild ride, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Looking back on my journey, it has been a wild ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. From initially failing at my first attempt at starting a business to consulting for some of the biggest brands in the world, I've experienced both success and failure, joy and sorrow.
Through it all, I've learned that success is not just about talent, but also about persistence and determination. It's about having the courage to keep going even when things seem hopeless and to push through adversity with a vision and a purpose in mind.
I've also learned that true success is not just about financial gain, but about making a positive impact in the world. It's about using one's talents and abilities to help others unleash their true potential and to live their best lives.