My Story
On stage at the 2024 This Naked Mind Conference in Tampa with Annie Grace, Author of This Naked Mind and founder of the Institute
I have always been interested in psychology and obtained my BSc in that discipline, followed by a Master’s degree in management. I have spent 20 years coaching senior managers in global companies, helping them to understand that the root cause of most of their problems is their flawed beliefs about the design and management of work. I came to understand that our flawed beliefs about alcohol, and many other things, also hold us back in our personal lives.
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Although I was able to function, despite drinking almost every night, and had a successful career, I knew deep down that I was not reaching my full potential, and that my drinking was preventing me from being the best version of myself. As I got older, my hangovers got much worse too, sometimes lasting for days. Nevertheless, I was very fearful of the idea of stopping drinking, envisaging a life of misery and feeling deprived if I were to give up. After some (fairly unsuccessful) attempts to moderate, I found the audiobook of This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, and it was like a light bulb went on in my head. Within a few months, I chose to stop drinking, and I have never looked back—my life is richer, more joyful and deeply satisfying than it ever was. I absolutely don’t feel deprived—I am quite happy to be around people drinking without feeling any urge whatsoever to join them. I am now thrilled to be a This Naked Mind Institute Certified Coach.
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The other massive impact of these changes in my life has been on my secondary career in music production. I realised that alcohol wasn’t just holding me back by robbing time from me, but that there were a host of other related benefits from becoming alcohol free that followed afterwards: becoming a friend to myself; having a positive mental outlook; removing limiting beliefs; and having a clear vision for what I wanted for myself in the future. These didn’t just happen—they were a result of other work I did on myself—but I am sure they wouldn’t have happened without going alcohol-free. My music has improved enormously as a result and I love seeing the progress I make every day.
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I am passionate about coaching people to achieve the same freedom and joy I have found. I know it is within us all to do this if we just get the support and guidance we need.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor (121 AD-180 AD)
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Why ‘The Stoic Scientist’?
I have found it incredibly helpful to draw on the ancient wisdom of the Stoics and other ancient philosophies, such as the Vedas, Buddhist texts and wisdom from indigenous people. Just to correct a common misconception about Stoicism, it has very little to do with the modern usage of the word ‘stoic’ with a lowercase ‘s’. This usage has come to mean dealing with challenges without showing emotion or complaining, which is not what Stoicism is about. Stoicism is a beautiful and very practical philosophy and way of life developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Famous proponents from ancient times included Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius (the Roman Emperor) and Seneca, but it is by no means a dead philosphy with modern fans as diverse as Arnold Swartzenneger, Lupe Fiasco, J K Rowling and Anna Kendrick.
Stoicism is a practical philosophy because it helps us to live a more happy and fulfilling life. It teaches us what it means to live a virtuous life and how to manage our emotions, which drive so much of our behaviour. Stoicism is the philosophical underpinning of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which has become the dominant form of therapy, for the simple reason that it works. It is remarkable how closely the ancient Stoic 'therapeia' or exercises practised by Stoics mirror the current practice of CBT and related therapies.
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I also find it fascinating that there seem to be fundamental truths that are common to Stoicism, philosophies from the East, indigenous philosophies and even the fundamentals of the Abrahamic religions, such as to live in accord with nature and to respect the interconnectedness of all things.
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Clever as these people were, they didn’t have Functional MRI scanners or any of the other incredible technologies that have taught us so much about the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, as The Stoic Scientist, I aim to combine the best of ancient wisdom with the latest in scientific understanding of humans and behaviour.
Integrity Statement
As a This Naked Mind Certified Coach, I commit to upholding the highest standards of integrity. This includes upholding my commitments to clients whenever it is in my power to do so, maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, being clear with my clients about what to expect from me as a coach and treating all clients fairly.
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As someone who coaches people to redefine their relationship with alcohol, it is important that I am transparent about my personal relationship with alcohol. I last had an alcoholic drink in 2018 and I have no desire for alcohol or intention to drink it in the future. However, recognising that all people are subject to change and can make mistakes, I commit here that should I drink alcohol in the future, I will be transparent about it and acknowledge this here in this statement.
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