About Me

The Gist of Things:

0-8  ..Born in Richmond, California, in what is now a home for the local crazy people.. how fitting.  Raised in the Montalvin district of San Pablo by a young, struggling, single mother.  Our house was robbed once while I was home alone.. an early introduction to the dangers of the East Bay.  Went to a private Catholic school and excelled.. was an alter boy, prayed the rosary, and sang hymns.  At home I was clean, well fed, and loved.  My head was far too big for my body.

8-14  ..Due to circumstance.. moved to the edge of Richmond and transferred to a local public school.  Very, very socially awkward.. wore the same clothes everyday.. got punked and pushed around regularly.  Introduced to drugs, alcohol, sex, and crime.  Grew bored with school, grades slipped and bad habits were adopted.  Got arrested for the first time.  Puberty hit, and my head was still too big for my body, I attributed it to an over-sized brain.

14-18  ..Full blown facial hair, but by no means a grown man.  Body finally catches up with the size of my head, yet some still argue it never has.  Small bad habits have by now developed into full blown addictions.  Horrible relations with both parents.  Big time acne face.. Big time trouble maker.. Big time high school football star.  A small time injury killed the dream of big time ball.. so I chose to self medicate with big time drug binges.  Desperate to leave Richmond, managed to turn it all around last minute with academics and philanthropy.  Got a scholarship to the University of Honolulu.

18-20  ..College life.  Campus clubs, social fraternities, student governments, activity councils,.. full time work, full time school, full time party.  Started an event production business, purchased a Cadillac with cold, hard cash.. head was bigger than ever - but now it's all ego.  Things were better with mom, but still hated my father.  Grandfather passed away.. an emotional break down followed shortly after.. slipped back into drugs.  Later discovered Self through Chinese culture and Martial Arts.. thus began the painful process of realization, evolution, and transformation.

20-23  ..Barely graduated college, chose to take a full year off just to work and train kung fu.  Had an amazing martial practice, but horrible health habits.. no foundation.. no flexibility.. weighed nearly 300 plus pounds.. but carried it well - lucky to be tall and helium headed.  Eventually moved back to California, and took very first trip to China - LOVED IT.  Tried the corporate job world - HATED IT.  Struggled with new identity in old surroundings.  Became vegetarian.  Began teaching special education.  Started teaching kung fu and wellness to the community.

23-26  ..Eat, drink, and breathe kung fu.  Began a regular cleansing practice.  Slowly lost loads of weight. Realized hate is a heavy burden, and learned to love my father.. became more involved with half siblings and dad's family.  Picked up on massage and body work therapy as a compliment to martial practice and to build extra income for kung fu dream life.  Grew hair out..  Learned some Reiki.. Took the Landmark Forum..  Finally made the choice to move to China and fully commit to practice.

26-29  ..Living and training in Wudang for a large portion of each year.  Accepted as a disciple of Master Yuan and was given the Taoist name 'Zi Rong.'  Martial practice has evolved into a medium for spiritual growth and exploration.  Began to openly publish my writing to share my passion for the arts world over.  Each new day is experienced as a beautiful flower of possibility in an eternal bloom.

29-Beyond  ..Lived through the most traumatic experience of my life.  Life was my teacher.. Love was my lesson.  Painfully pruned some relationship limbs and pulled some behavioral weeds..  Tended to my withered roots with the nurturing solace of practice.  Brilliant breakthroughs..  Quantum evolution.. The Future is Flowing and Fruitful.  Welcomed to an international network of masters, teachers, and healers.  How may I be of service to you...