The Vision of Authentic Wellness & Empowerment

These are the stories that shape us — joy, loss, brotherhood, and the snapshots that never leave.

My Story

I’ve always known I wanted to help people, especially those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward.

But I didn’t understand early on that helping others starts with understanding your own wounds first.

The best helpers aren’t perfect. They’ve been through it and choose to turn their experiences into strength.

I learned that the hard way.

My friend David had everything going for him—a good family, good grades, athleticism, and popularity. Then, in one moment, he lost it all. David died in a car accident before his 17th birthday.

Losing him showed me that seeming to "have it all" means nothing if you don’t have life. Anyone reading this already has something David never will: another chance.

Later, I met Aerial. She seemed everything I wanted, but the relationship didn’t work out. I didn’t fully understand why. But I knew I didn’t like that heartbreak to leave me stuck. I wanted it to push me toward purpose. I wanted it to reawaken giftings I had let sit dormant.

By then, I had gone to school, worked hard, and still hadn't found myself in the opportunities I thought I was chasing. Through buying and managing rental properties, I became financially secure enough that I no longer needed a traditional job. I retired early.

I spent time working out, volunteering, and traveling. But comfort wasn’t enough.

The near miss with Aerial challenged me to ask more complex questions about my purpose.

It pushed me to commit my life to helping others—not by doing the work for them, but by equipping them to help themselves.

That’s why I founded Authentic Wellness & Empowerment.

How I See the World

Life is already stressful.

And enabling or exploiting people only makes it worse.

When people are enabled, they stay stuck.

When they are exploited, they are drained.

Neither leads to healing—and neither leads to real change.

Empowerment is the solution.

Empowerment gives people tools, ownership, and real options.

Counseling is one of the most precise pathways to empowerment.

The difference between illness and wellness is whether you can see a path forward—and believe you can take it.

When people realize they have choices, the stress doesn’t disappear—but they become strong enough to move through it.

The Bigger Vision

I’m not here just to offer counseling sessions. I’m here to build something bigger—something that empowers others to heal and grow too.

I plan to start a graduate school for counselors that focuses on practical healing, not academic politics.

I want to open a retreat center on Lake Erie where people can get away, reset, and focus on real change.

Long-term, I will open a network of Empowermenteries (a place where Empowerment happens i.e. Bakeries, Breweries, Foundries, etc. )—wellness centers that combine counseling, fitness, and financial coaching—because real wellness strengthens the whole person, not just one part.

How You Can Get Involved

If this vision connects with you, you have a place at Authentic Wellness & Empowerment.

You can join us as a:

Client ready to start the work

Counselor ready to make a difference

Educator ready to train future healers

Volunteer ready to give back Board member ready to build a movement

Supporter ready to invest in a lasting legacy

This isn’t just about offering services.

It’s about creating a new way forward.

You have life.

You have choices.

Let’s build something better.