CURRENT MISSION

Travel the world with my 10 year old son--exposing him and us to cultures and ways of being in the world beyond our privileged urban American experience. I am passionate about emotional intelligence and balanced masculinity. The purpose of my life is to make a small bit of flowering mountain beauty.

ABOUT ME

I'm an active 39 year old. I have a 10 year old son, Elijah and I love being a dad. I'm a chef and entrepreneur--my business is team building and creating large scale retreats. I am irrepressibly and joyfully cooking for humans--I can't help it. I am very adventurous and easy to get along with. I am interested in different cultures. I have studied Aikido extensively and done all kinds of interesting things: Worked as an Americorps volunteer, in Philly, lived with a family in the rainforests of Guatemala, Once was in 7 countries in 6 days, went to Burning Man from Colorado and woke up in Texas, Taught in a Montessori school and lived with a family as a chef and nanny, been on numerous roadtrips and have too many outrageous food stories to start in on.

PHILOSOPHY

Honor your ancestors. My Grandma always said: Live, laugh, love.

If it makes you scared it's probably worth a deep look at before turning away (but that doesn't necessarily mean you should jump in)---I've been tempered by age.

Keep going. Have Fun. Make a difference.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

By being an amazing guest and cooking with folks I stay with.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Great first surfing experience with Brenda Bernstein in Madison. Had a few great surfers with roommate India Monsour.

Interests

I love food, the great outdoors, exercise, lively conversation, aikido, and hanging out with my son.

• dining
• cooking
• exercise
• eating out
• outdoor activities
• entrepreneurship
• volunteering
• travel
• travel with kids

Music, Movies, and Books

Big Lebowski. Modern Family. Denver Broncos-Ecstatic dance. Peace, Love and Good will towards my fellow man, Paradox.

Music: Wax Tailor, Gypsy Kings, Dancy pop music(do I need to apologize for that?), World Beat, Fela, Grupo Fantasma, and the occasional Mozart to chill out too. I suppose I like anything that makes me want to shake my booty.

Books: Ishmael, Anything by Rudolpho Anaya or Frank Waters, The Joy of Cooking, Paul Kivel, Harry Potter, Keep Going (if you haven't read this one by Joseph Marshall III it's words to live by)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I climbed a 14000 foot mountain for my bachelor party. Summiting the mountain I grew up under with 6 of my best friends and brother was a "peak" experience for me.

The birth of my son was a moment I will never forget.

I still remember an experience of feeling the one-ness of the universe when I was 16 and well....It is a long story

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to share kitchen tips and tricks.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Culinary tips from a chef of 20 years. Conversations about the power of ritual and the evolved masculine paradigm.

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States