My earliest childhood memories are ones filled with wonder, curiosity and a wild zest for life. As a kid I experienced joy in a way that felt inherent. I had a loving family, great friends, and a desire to learn about all the unknowns life had to offer. Joy was my cruise control.
My joyful state of being became something I had to cultivate and work towards when I hit puberty. When all the other guys started talking about their attraction to girls when my experience was the complete opposite, the alarms sounded in my brain. As a gay child growing up in the church, I quickly learned to be whatever other people needed me to be for my own safety. “You’re not safe. God doesn’t love you. Deny your truth or else!” all became my new mode of operation. This left me preoccupied with other people’s happiness over my own.
It’s been a journey back to the joy-filled child of my earliest memories. I am proud to say that over the years, through much therapy and personal work, I have done what’s necessary to flip the script from “what do others need me to be?” to “what do I need to live my truth and then be of service to others?”
From coming out to my friends and family, to grieving the loss of my dad, to switching careers, to moving across the country, to losing friends and gaining new ones–the practice of coming back to your joy is a journey I’m so thankful to travel personally and alongside YOU.
Hi, I’m Chris and here’s my story...
service
Integrity
Optimism
This is my top core value. How can I create a massive impact for the longest possible time in everything that I do? Environmentally, financially, socially—you name it. Long term vision over short term pleasure.
In everything I do, how can what I do in the “me” impact and uplift the “we”?
I value doing what is right, staying true to your word and cleaning it up when you are out of alignment with your word.
I believe that optimism is looking for the "and" in any situation. The "and" encourages a holistic and realistic perspective. It honors what is tough and what is beautiful. I'm a glass half-full kind of person and will always see the world with "and" mentality.
sustainability
I believe life is too damn short to not have fun while you work hard for a life that you love