Category Archives: Yoga and Mindfulness

Reflections on My Miraculous Life

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About 18 years ago I took a sabbatical from my position as a partner in a leading Upstate New York consulting engineering firm. I went on a NOLS trip. I decided to spend more time in Vermont where I taught skiing and guided mountain biking on weekends. I was always inspired in the mountains. I went there. I stayed there. Since that time, my world has continually been an exciting exploration of life, one discovery after another.

I met Jo and her two kids, Alex (8) and Natalie (4). Jo and I talked about living sustainably, about simplifying our lives, about living and sharing in a healthy manner. We traveled. We explored. We got married. We raised two wonderful kids. We took care of our homestead. I got involved in the ski business and was a resort leader in a new strengths-based teaching program. I got involved in adventure-based programming and team-building activities. I learned about timber framing and sustainable home design. I even taught math and health courses at a private middle-high school one year where both kids were students. I became more and more accustomed to change as the priorities of our kids became our priorities, and as I lived the Vermont can-do independent and interdependent lifestyle.

When the kids were in high school, we endured some very dark years. The effects of tragedy that had occurred in my wife’s previous life, before I met her, began to show their ugliness. For me, day-to-day life was more about survival and working hard to get through each day, focusing on my survival and the survival of my wife and my step-kids. I learned about post-traumatic stress through direct experience, both as a caregiver and also as an indirect sufferer of its ugly symptoms. Our years of learning, practicing, and teaching yoga became instrumental in our day-to-day practice of coping and just existing.

I became more and more spiritual as I grasped for meaning. I was alone from a human perspective, but as we reached out for spiritual support, I felt more and more connected. Things started to turn around. From this suffering came learning. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I was being prepared for my life’s work.

When the economy was hurting and my timber-frame design work was slow, I received a call to help facilitate a new program in New York for veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTSD). The person calling me had no idea of our past experiences other than that I could do team-building activities well. One program (and one person named Joel) led to 3 years of work with veterans with PTSD and other disabilities, and work with amazing civilians, some with disabilities and some without. I met some inspiring veterans. Joel. Mike. Michael. Michael. Ed. Peter. Jeanette. Joan. Will. Brian. Linda. Matt. Jonah. Bill. Leslie. The list goes on. I have met some inspiring disabled athletes and volunteer coaches. John. TC.  Andrew. Ty. Andrew. Carson. Robin. Betsy. Paul. Hannah. We have become friends. We have dreamed about life, connecting with others, being in nature, learning to accept ourselves and practice living on a day-by-day basis. No judging. No attaching ourselves to outcomes. Just being compassionate and well-intended human beings.

Winter 2012

Skiing and Riding with Friends.

One of the veterans Jo and I shared much time with was Eva, who came to some of our events as both a therapist and as a participant. We had some amazing experiences in New York, at our home in Vermont, and then travelling abroad. We talked about our sufferings. We talked about our paths of healing. We shared heart-felt experiences of spiritual connection and miracles and healing. We shared our lives and practiced healthy daily living…local organic food, meditation, yoga, exercise, discussion…

Since the time of our experiences with Eva one year ago, more and more magical experiences have unfolded… and at what seems to be an accelerating pace! We have learned to trust our intuitions. The heartfelt, spiritual, and healing experiences we shared together have become the guiding lights in each of our lives.

The three of us have struggled with the thought of building something together in one location. Eva’s home is on the West Coast. Our home is in the East. We learned to let things unfold. We knew that simple daily practices of healthy living would be at the core of any comprehensive program we initiated to help others heal and live better.

And unfold they have! All in the last year! A new nonprofit organization has been birthed by Eva on the West Coast- Warriors Live On, Inc. A new nonprofit organization has been birthed by Jo and me on the East Coast- Wild Mountain U, Inc.  Eva continues to expand her work in the areas of mindfulness-based therapies in the San Diego area as she works to launch WLO programming. Jo and I have had door after door open for us at Stratton Mountain, Vermont, through our work to provide mindfulness-based yoga programs, outdoor education experiences, and health and wellness education and leadership at Stratton and with WMU. Stratton and WMU will partner for veteran-supporting and other programs. We will enlist the support of our many friends, many of whom have been our guiding lights. WLO and WMU will do some joint programs together or in support of one another. I plan to be intimately involved in the WLO mentoring programming. Jo and I are excited in the meantime as new and exciting opportunities unfold at Stratton Mountain.

And yes, I am a ski school manager again… at Stratton… my 40th season as a ski instructor / clinician or ski school manager / director.

I have also recently started this blog. It has been a way for me to reflect. It has been a way for me to share. It has been a way for me to move on from an identity as an architectural engineer to a health and wellness mentor. It has been a vehicle for me to share what I learn as I experience new things each day in my life and as I look back at how my path has brought me to this place… with new understanding… and with new perspectives. It has helped me realize my role at my age as a mentor.

So, 2012, to me, has been a year of miracles.

Summer 2011

This path started when I met one special person.

In my last decade and a half in Vermont, I have learned much. I have learned to let go of things I can’t control and to accept responsibility for things I can impact. I have learned to keep my eyes open to new discoveries and miracles. I have learned to keep my heart open to all… and accept all people as they are with dignity. Or at least try. I have learned what it feels like to love deeply, to be spiritual, and to trust my intuition. I have learned that even in tragedy, there are opportunities to learn and to see light. I have learned that it is through experiences with others that new insights are possible. I have learned the challenges of parenthood; I have experienced the magic and beauty of parenthood. I have learned that my path in life is sharing what I have learned with others, and learning to live in a manner that is to the benefit of all others. I have learned that we will all thrive in our collective lives and in our individual lives when we support each other, learn from each other, and work from a place of common ground. For me, that place of common ground starts with feelings of love and compassion for all, and a deep sense of belonging and connection.

Rockport 2011

My Family. Where my feelings of love and support begin.

One Step at a Time

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The thing about walking, it happens one step at a time. Life happens one step at a time, one moment after another. Learning happens one lesson at a time, often times one life lesson after another.

The thing about life is that you can have goals and set your path to reach your goals, but things happen, change occurs, and each day your path changes. Each day begins a new path. Did you notice that? It’s one transition after another, yes?

Today, I walked up a mountain on a path. I entered a Summit Challenge race at Stratton Mountain, VT. My destination was clear: the summit. On this day, as is often the case, many other people shared this path with me. Yet each step was unique. With each step, I had to decide whether to step on a loose stone, in a wet patch of grass, or on some solid gravel. I had to avoid ditches and other people. Each step took effort; each step took practice; each step was uncertain. But with step, I made decisions, chose which path within the path to take, and stepped forward, one step after another, trusting that I would find my way.

This summer, I resigned from a job, a job I loved, working with people I loved. It was just time for me to take my next step. Did I have intention? Yes… I had goals and a vision. Did I know where my next step would land? No… as always, each step is uncertain. But, I resigned anyway, and stepped forward, trusting that I would find my way.

I find it remarkable sometimes that when you have clear intention, when you take definite steps forward, trusting yourself and your intuition, new paths become visible… What it looks like at the summit, what you experience when you reach your “goal” is never clear until you get there. What is clear is that I just need to take the next step… and the next step becomes clear… one step after another.

Is it our tendency to want to know what it looks like at the top, to be assured of things being a certain way at the end of our path? Yes… it is our tendency, isn’t it? But, I believe, that with practice, we can focus on each step, trust in ourselves as we take the next step, and with clear intention and awareness, we will find our way… to the “summit.” This way requires a balance between holding on to what is comfortable, safe and familiar, and letting go and being open to the discovery of a new path. Each step becomes an adventure, an adventure guided with a manageable level of risk, an adventure guided by who you are and who you want to be with your next step, and the decisions you make.

Sometimes, it is hard for us to let go of previous steps. Sometimes, we still live in the moments of previous steps… the steps that led us to here, where we are now. Should we even try to let go? I think letting go is possible and desirable. But, we will continue to remember our previous steps, yes? The trick is finding a way to appreciate all of our previous steps, good and bad, realizing that we are where we are now because of those steps and outside influences, and we have the opportunity to decide with that awareness, what steps to take next. For me, this is where having an attitude of gratitude for all that has come before me, each previous step, each deviation, each changed path, makes it easier for me to take the next step with clarity. Learn from previous steps… and adapt as I take my next step.

It’s not about taking the right step and avoiding wrong steps, it’s about taking steps, walking your walk, with understanding and awareness of the present step, with clear intention and faith in future steps, and with gratitude and appreciation for all previous steps or experiences in your life.

In my opinion, if we can each take our own individual steps in this manner, supporting those around us as they take theirs and receiving support from those who offer to help us in ours, our journeys will be in a place of goodness and take us to a place that we desire to be, a place that we see in our mind’s eye as we step forward, one step at a time.

For me, this summer’s step was huge… and I’m still taking a bunch of mini-steps, some positive, some painful. Today, however, I was reminded that I need to keep stepping forward with my eyes toward the summit. The view from the top will be worth the climb. And the next summit will be clearer!

Thanks to Stratton Mountain for supporting me on the steps I am taking in my life today… and will be taking tomorrow.

Why Start Wild Mountain U?

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Why Start a New Nonprofit Organization? Many people have been asking us this question. “The work you’ve been doing at the Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has been so successful. Why start something new?”

Believe me- we didn’t come to this decision easily. The truth is- it took months of reflection and inner turmoil. But when it comes down to it, it’s not about us. It’s about the students and the program participants; it’s about the healing that takes place. It’s about people helping people to find health and happiness, yes; but it’s more about people helping people live. And it’s not just about what we do, it’s about why and the way we do it.

We went down to ASF almost 3 years ago to observe a WWP event that was scheduled. It was the first event of its kind there. We were invited by the ASF Program Director, Pam Greene, because she knew of our team-building experience from our days working together at Mount Snow. The event was for warriors battling through post-traumatic stress (PTSD) from their combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pam knew nothing of our recent experiences with non-combat PTSD; Pam and I hadn’t worked together in a half dozen years years. A door opened. We walked through it. I met a guy named Joel. Our lives changed. We’ve been there since, commuting from our home in Vermont. Now it’s time to open new doors in new places.

The work we’ve done at ASF with WWP has been very successful. Many wounded veterans have walked through our doors feeling isolated and without direction, and left at least knowing that there are civilians out there that understand, care, and appreciate them exactly as they are without judgment. Most walked away feeling connected to new friends and motivated to practice new ways of living and getting through each day. New sports and recreational activities took place, yes, but more importantly, healing took place. This didn’t happen by chance; it happened through the dedicated efforts of our ASF volunteers and program staff. It happened through the leadership and passion provided by Jo and me, and the support provided by ASF and WWP to help us start new programs to impact more people in new ways.

There comes a time when organizations need to choose which direction to proceed, especially given limited resources and multiple talents. Jo and I know that there are many, many more folks out there who could benefit from our integrated and holistic approach to heal trauma and overcome the challenges of visible or invisible disabilities. We want to find them and help them.There are over 1.7 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars (Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom) alone.  According to the National Center on PTSD, nearly 40% of all troops who served in the wars are diagnosed with some form of PTSD.  However, this number is thought to be drastically higher as many war veterans are never officially diagnosed and treated for PTSD.  In addition, about 50,000 have suffered from physical disability as a result of these wars.

We believe that the benefits of our work can be more far-reaching than those benefits provided by just teaching adaptive sports in one location. We want to explore these benefits with others… full-time, full-effort, with passion, with grace, with feelings of compassion, dignity, and love, and in other locations. We believe that the mind, body and spirit are indeed related and inextricably connected; that you can’t heal one aspect without involving the others. This vision sounds simple. In practice, it’s the fundamental challenge that we as humans have been trying to solve for generations as we seek sustaining health and happiness. For Jo and me and our Wild Mountain U team, we believe it’s time.

Personally, I believe that the survivors of traumatic experiences, life-altering disability, and chronic illnesses have often dealt with very basic issues of survival and “higher” reasons for living. I believe that when appreciated, this perspective gives them insights into living, health and happiness that are important and deserve to be shared. I believe through attitudes of mindful learning, holistic healing, and community support, these individuals can heal and live healthy lives. I also believe that those who have healed in this manner, and especially those who have served through combat military service, have the opportunity to be the healers (and leaders of healing) of tomorrow.

As we develop our programs and define our organization, we will start by telling stories of those with whom we have worked; they can tell their stories, their challenges, and their successes much better than I can describe here. We have our perspective, our experiences. But each person is different, each experience is different, each story is different, and each story is important. We want to share stories of healing, create experiences for learning, and foster a growing community of supportive individuals of all abilities and disabilities, working together to overcome the debilitating and isolating effects of trauma, physical disability, and chronic illness. People helping people- it brings out the best in people, yes?

Our programs will be intentionally-designed group experiences that foster an environment of trust, relationship-building, skills-learning, and wellness-practicing in an experiential learning format. We know that yoga works; not just the physical practice, but also the present-moment mindfulness, the disciplined breathing and focus, and the deep-rest benefits. Thus, we start with an understanding of the art and science of yoga. We know that rebuilding a sense of personal connection with a group of supportive individuals in a natural setting helps foster a spirit of community, greater-purpose connection, and individual importance. We know that the integration of strength-based and mindful adventure-learning creates feelings of self-efficacy and self-worthiness. We know that healing is not a quick fix, not an isolated discussion or a magic remedy; healing takes time through awareness and learning, intention and practice, intuition and supportive community… unity of mind, body and spirit… and mentors. So, in our programs and through our on-going support of program participants, we will practice and share these teachings with attitudes of non-judgment and dignity, empowerment, and step-by-step adaptive learning.

Soon, we will present more and more programs. We will describe more and more about what we do and who we impact. We will partner with like-minded individuals and organizations. Our Wild Mountain U team will be diverse and inclusive. We believe this work is important; so do others. It is an important time of change. Through our stories, our work will become clearer and clearer to those who want to support us (but may not be sure now). We have faith that the stories of successful survival, healing, and community support will alone create momentum and grassroots support. “Able-bodied” people helping “disable-bodied” people; “disable-bodied” people helping “able-bodied” people. “Invisible” disabilities; “visable” abilities. People helping people; no boundaries, no judgment… a vision we all can support.

We expect to start this new nonprofit based on our previous experiences, but we also are open to change as we continue to live and adapt step-by-step in each daily moment. All the while, we will focus on the vision. We will focus on the people we are serving, dignifying and empowering the individuals who may be struggling now, but who we know will also be the teachers and healers of the future. We will do our best to walk the walk, at their side, as we develop this new organization together.

At first, we realize that the impact of our work may be limited to the first 10, or 20, or 50 people we directly impact through our hands-on work. Eventually, these stories will be shared, these experiences will be taught to others, and new communities of healing will be built. Barriers between abilities and disabilities, visible and invisible, will be broken. 50 will become 500. And 500 will become 5,000. And who knows, maybe 5,000 will become 5 million or 50 million. Each person is important and has unique gifts to share. Yet all people and all things are connected. So, we’ll start one person at a time, one step at a time. The first step is the hardest. By starting this new organization, we just took the first step. Wish us luck! There are many individuals who deserve our support, and we will all be better people by supporting them.

We’re launching Wild Mountain U!

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After weeks of preparation, months of questioning which path to take, and a few years of some of the best experiences of my life, I am launching a blog… and Jo and I are launching a new nonprofit organization entitled Wild Mountain U, Inc. Based in Vermont, but with aspirations of bringing our work to all of New England and perhaps to our winter stomping grounds in Utah, we enter into this new journey with our eyes and hearts focused on the following:

Mission: To dignify and empower individuals with visible and invisible disabilities.

Vision: To cultivate healthy lifestyles for veterans and civilians with disabilities ranging from, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain Injuries, and developmental delays, to limb loss, paraplegia, spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Purpose: To provide exceptional, focused programs for individuals with disabilities that lead to physical, emotional, spiritual well-being, and healing through:

  • the art and science of yoga
  • outdoor education
  • creative expression
  • right livelihood
  • healthy living


Core values:

  • dignity
  • honesty
  • humility
  • integrity
  • community
  • sustainability

This blog will be a place for program participants to share their stories of learning and mentoring experiences as we walk together and make our way through the many transitions of life!