Walk with me as I share a bit of my own journey...

 

My Journey Thus Far

My life has been filled with rewarding successes, some real challenges and a number of major "setbacks". Fortunately, I have always had people around who have loved, cared for, guided, poured into, and challenged me.

 

While my years through high school were experience-filled, I will start sharing my journey at my entry into university. Despite not being the most focused high school student, with some guidance, encouragement and strong accountability, I was able pull things together and earn admission into The Georgia Institute of Technology. Once there, I even “walked on” to the university's ACC basketball team. My teammates at the time included eventual NBA players John Salley, Yvonne Joseph, Mark Price, and others. Being a member of the team was a huge honor and afforded me the pleasure of competing against many other recognizable talents, including Michael Jordan, Len Bias, Johnny Dawkins, Kenny Smith and Spud Webb.

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After graduating from Tech, I established a flourishing corporate career before leaving to pursue entrepreneurship. My first business ventures produced nominal success, but I was not deterred. Before long, I found my stride in the fashion industry. I have since founded and currently head several fashion related businesses, the primary one being, Ron Donovan Footwear & Accessories. Despite difficulties at times, entrepreneurship has been extremely rewarding.  

 

I have had many eclectic experiences and some incredible travels. I lived for a period in Monte Carlo, Monaco and currently spend a considerable amount of time in The South of France and Italy. One of my greatest accomplishments was walking The Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It is an 800 plus kilometer trek which began in the South of France, crossed the Pyrenees Mountains, traversed across northern Spain, and ended near the country's west coast.

 

I am also blessed to have met some incredible people. Romantically, I have been involved with some amazing women. While some may not have been as long term as others, ALL have provided invaluable lessons. 

 

Perhaps the greatest challenge of my life was being diagnosed with prostate cancer at the relatively young age of 47. Despite the fact that my life has changed significantly with my surgery and my ongoing treatments, I am extremely grateful to be a survivor. While not always easy, with much work and support, I continuously strive to embrace the beautiful life that I have versus mourning the life I "thought" I had lost.

 

I attribute much of what I have achieved and transcended to a mindset balanced by logic, faith, and creativity. I have developed this mindset over time, through analysis of many experiences, and many trials and errors.

 

While my successes might provide motivation and lessons, I believe an equal, or even greater, amount can be learned from my trials, tribulations, and challenges.

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Becoming TheSOULstrategist

Deciding to become a coach actually happened quite organically. For as long as I can remember, people of all ages, statures, and relations, have come to me for guidance, encouragement, and support.

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However, it was during a brunch conversation that the thought of me officially coaching/mentoring became a tangible pursuit. My dining companion, a cherished friend and advisor stopped me mid-sentence, leaned in and said, “you should really be a life coach”. 

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Upon returning home, I immediately I began my work. I devoured any and all information I could find. I read books, searched articles, researched individuals, and listened to countless hours of messaging. I studied some the most successful coaches and evaluated their beliefs and approaches. I then compared what I discovered with whom I knew myself to be, the experiences I have had, my successes, strengths and gifts, my challenges, and my failings.

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The more I looked, the more I realized that there was not only space for me, but a void that I am uniquely capable of filling. So, I clarified my vision, defined my messaging, developed my plan, and formally launched TheSOULstrategist.

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I Wasn’t Always This Guy

Most people, when asked, have described me as extremely focused, confident, successful, resilient, optimistic, caring, and empathetic. Many have said they admire my transparency, and the way I handle adversity. They have also described me as gregarious and fun-loving, regardless of the setting or circumstances. I love that I am viewed in this way because it is consistent with who I continually work to be.

 

However, I'm not always this guy. To be honest, there are still times doubt creeps in, when I'm not so sure of myself, or lack full confidence in myself. 

 

Only with some serious self-evaluation, paradigm shifting, self-work, critical thinking, faith and periodic outside help, am I able to identify and continuously walking in my most authentic self; to build upon my innate gifts.

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Who and what I am, where I stand today, all of my accomplishments, familial, social, romantic, and professional can be tied directly to my experiences and the lessons learned. 

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Social Proof

While as it turns out, I have long been "unofficially" coaching most of my life, it has been made clear that many others need and desire to hear what I had to say. With TheSOULstrategist, I have now accepted the challenge, and am formally walking in this important purpose.

 

It would be my honor to assist in the pursuit of YOUR desires, just as I have with others. Click below and discover the ways to work with me...