There’s a moment every adventurer knows, that preverbal fork in the road. As we peer down our destinies one path is paved, safe, and well-worn. The other is covered in brambles, shadowy, and loud with the ghastly whispers of "what if..."

In 2022, I found myself standing at that very fork with a hot mug of coffee in hand and 10 years of experience in the trenches of media and operations. On paper, I’d made it—working my way up from Staff Editor to VP of People at a fast-growing media company. Crafting culture, building benefits packages, developing professionals, leading through layoffs…you name it. I was the party’s cleric, tank, and bard all in one.

But deep down, something visceral was stirring (not bc of the coffee). A quiet roar. It was a brewing call to build something braver and for myself.

Starting the Guild: A Courage Check

I didn’t roll a nat 20 and leap into entrepreneurship like some glowing paladin ready to batter down the cloister doors in pursuit of Andariel’s lair. Let’s be real—I wrestled with it. I wondered how my colleagues would take it. I feared I’d lose their trust. And yet, I also knew that brave leadership starts with truth-telling, even when it’s inconvenient. You always take your own medicine if your words are worth anything.

So I was honest. I shared the vision. I opened up. And sure, not everyone cheered. Some were skeptical. Some didn’t get it. At worst it may have written me off the long term vision planning behind closed doors. That’s okay. That’s the beauty of choice. COME WHAT MAY. DO IT ANYWAY.

A resounding applause. That eternal affirmation from the outside world. That’s what we need. What we need as humans is alignment.

The Real Challenge Wasn’t Launching. It Was Letting Go.

Fast forward to 2024. Budget cuts, economic headwinds, and restructuring landed me right back at that crossroads. This time, the decision was clear. I was faced with a predicament and I didn’t want to be reassigned. I didn’t want to stay comfortable. I wanted to bet on myself.

On Brave Leadership Guild.

On helping other professionals get out of the weeds, see the whole damn forest, and build a map forward. Because that’s what gave me fire when I look at the 10 year corporate war I fought from the ground up. It was time to take my weapons and explore new territory.

What Brave Leadership Really Means

People ask me, “What do your clients come to you for?”

Here’s the thing—they’re not looking for a 42-slide business plan or a silver bullet either. They’re just trying to do the best they can in a game that’s constantly changing the rules. Sometimes they’re feeling beaten down, but they’re game. They’ve got resilient hearts, and deep ambitions fueling their vision.

Sometimes, they’re tired. They’ve lost their North Star. They need perspective, not perfection. So that’s what I give them. Not a polished lecture. Not a LinkedIn-optimized strategy.

Human connection fueled by my real-world experience navigating the maze of corporate. The kicker? I like navigating. I like politicing. I like the drama, the heartache, the pain, and the fight that comes with victory in business. The difference? I won’t do it at the cost of integrity, values, or principles.

That’s what Brave Leadership Guild as a coaching institution represents; fight with fervor, work with a resilient and indomitable spirit, outperform the rest by demonstrating integrity that reaches a mythical caliber.

When it’s all said and done I work with professionals who are committed to betting on themselves and going all the way because they know there’s a lot to gain and a lot to lose out on if they don’t. So together, WE CLIMB. We reach a plateau. A cliffside view. A moment to breathe, regroup, and see the big picture. And then? We build the real roadmap—together.

Be Brave, Even When the Boss Music Starts

I named it Brave Leadership Guild for a reason. Not because it sounds good on a keynote slide, but because bravery is simply the requirement.

It takes courage to start over.
To walk away from comfort.
To say, “This isn’t enough,” and “I believe there’s more in me.”

Growth isn’t always elegant. It’s often awkward and sweaty and full of crit fails. But when you keep showing up, you level up.

Final Wisdom from the Dungeon Floor

Your stress? It means you care. That’s not weakness—it’s proof of your investment.
Crisis moments don’t define you—they reveal you. One saying I started telling other Editors when I used to be one, “The valley makes the man. Not the peaks and pits. What we do in those long purgatories where the finality and outcome are fleeting. When your going off fumes and your plans start to same like dillusional grandeur — your conviction will be the only thing left standing by your side. FRET NOT FOR IT IS A NATURAL PART OF LIFE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL TO STRUGGLE AS THEY STRIVE FOR SOMETHING GREATER THAN THE CURRENT.

Want to Build Your OWN Guild?

If you're reading this at a professional crossroads—or just tired of trudging through the forest alone—I've got a seat at the table for you:

🛡️ Apply for 1-on-1 executive coaching
🧙🏽 Join Brave Leadership Guild, my private membership for ambitious leaders
🗺️ DM me for access to my free Slack community + monthly newsletter packed with insights, missteps, and magic

The quest ahead won't be easy. But you won’t have to go alone. Not anymore.

💬 If this resonates share it. Comment. Save it. Send it to the person who’s still stuck on that paved path wondering if they’re allowed to want more.