Phil's life
has always been about people. In his love of work, of heart, of learning, of dreams, of architecture, of literature and of
writing, the people involved have always been the source of his inspiration.
Phil
has a compelling desire to contribute in the most meaningful way possible.
He
found joy in empowering others through teaching kid's judo and women's self-defense, and coaching junior basketball and
tennis. Phil observed that when players developed a better sense of themselves on the tennis court they had more fun and as
a result played better; wheelchair athletes had a burning determination and were not willing to be defined by their physical
limitations. The increased confidence and composure gained by players carried over into their daily lives.
Phil’s journey to explore human potential led to Studies at the Academy for Coaching Excellence in Sacramento, California.
There he entered into a rigorous course of self-development studying under Dr. Maria Nemeth, author of “The
Energy of Money.” His work at the Academy explored the questions;
What
is it that calls us to be the best that we can be?
How
do we bring a deep sense of purpose to our own lives?
How
do we make a meaningful contribution to the people we share life with?
Phil began writing “Trouble at the Border,” when his wife Heidi, a U.S.
citizen, was denied entry into Canada.
The theme of the story is that underneath “trouble” is a gift;
a lesson to be learned, and facing the truth provides an opportunity for
growth of consciousness. Phil and Heidi's journey is the classic “hero’s journey”
through fear and heartache into the power of love. The courage to grow in the unknown, the challenge of finding grace in chaos, resulted in Phil’s determination
to live a life rich in giving and supporting others to go beyond their own borders.
Phil has started another
book, provisionally titled Vision Quest, which is to be the story of the ancient rite of passage –
that of “dying,” “passing through,” and “being reborn.” He spent the summer and fall of
2006 visiting sacred Native American sites on the peaks of Oregon, and is also
researching quest sites that he plans to visit in Washington, Montana,
Dakota, and New Mexico.
Phil coaches and writes in Salem, Oregon,
where he and Heidi make their home. He has three daughters and three grandchildren in Canada
and England
