Coaching
for Self Discovery

Using the camera as a lens
and a mirror for looking inward.

I bring the art of coaching, the insights of psychotherapy and the craft of filmmaking together in a way that helps people discover who they truly are and what they truly want from life.

How it Works

I interview people on camera using a series of deeply thought-provoking questions I’ve developed from my work as a therapist. These questions take people on an internal journey of self-discovery. They lead to unexpected self-revelations. My camera captures every detail of these self-revelations right as they are spoken.

After the interviews I create films that, in essence, let people watch themselves as they slowly find and speak their own truth.

In the weeks that follow I hold online debrief sessions that deepen clients’ understanding of their true selves and what they want for their lives.

Connect With Me

SPOTLIGHT

Midlife Wisdom Series
Modern Elder Academy

In 2024 I traveled down the west coast of the United States to interview a remarkable group of alumni from the Modern Elder Academy.

“Being filmed was something I was definitely nervous about. However, Adrian created such an easy-going, warm, conversational space that the contemplative storytelling took on a life of its own. The walk through life can often seem unclear, our impact getting lost in the day-to-day obstacles we navigate. Adrian’s gentle demeanor combined with his perceptive and persistent questions allowed me to lean into my authentic story. In watching the film, I see my own courage, my unique viewpoints and how life has shaped them. The experience illuminated the threads of my life and the ultimate resilience that all my challenges and joys have given me.”

— Jeannette d’Armand, MEA Alum

Praise from Clients

“Working with Adrian unveiled a distinct clarity of vision as I move into a new phase of life. He helped me uncover what was there all along, waiting to be told.”

— Heather M.M

Liz Norris

Mentor within a Community of Coaches
Collaborating with Adrian to create a short film based on a poem I wrote offered me an unexpected and welcome opportunity to bring the original words to a new level.

His deep listening and sensitivity from the start encouraged me to take time to explore, rediscover and honour the fullness of the love and wonder that has threaded throughout my life.

The journey returned me to a place of deep stillness. I so valued collaborating with a film maker like Adrian. He is attentive to the needs of the whole person alongside the skills of his craft.
Commander Amber Comisso

Royal Canadian Navy
Working with Adrian on his documentary about women in leadership was such an incredible and unique experience. In the days leading up to filming, we spoke about what he was trying to accomplish with his project and I must say, his mission resonated with me deeply. On the day of filming, I quickly forgot that there was even a camera there! He was so easy to talk to and listened in a very meaningful way, leaving ample space to think and reflect. It was almost like talking with an old friend, despite the fact that we had never met in person! In the days after filming, I found that I was in a very reflective state of mind. He made me think about things in a way I hadn't really considered before. I feel so very fortunate to be included in this project. He is a gifted filmmaker that has set out on a journey of profound importance.
Chip Conley

Author, founder of Modern Elder Academy
Adrian is so talented on so many levels. He flew down to San Francisco to shoot some footage of me at Airbnb HQ in order to create a series of short videos about the subject of wisdom and our new Modern Elder Academy. He's such a gentleman and a classic professional in terms of his work style. Diligent, focused, and an ease to be with. The quality of the videos that were produced from this relative short filming astounded me. Where did he come up with all of those quotes? In reality, he'd asked me some very thoughtful, deep questions which invited a simpatico answer. In sum, I recommend Adrian with the highest validation possible.
Aaron White, PhD

School Psychologist, Global Nomad
Being interviewed by Adrian was a unique experience. His warm, calm, and reassuring demeanor, his patience in letting things play out, his insightful questions, and his skill at not letting the technology overpower the human connection all contributed to a remarkable experience for me as the person being interviewed. I found myself saying much more than I had anticipated I would, and I found my self reaching deep for responses to Adrian’s insightful probes. Adrian is a talented film maker, and when that is combined with his gifts as a counsellor and interviewer, the outcome is almost guaranteed to be deep and meaningful. After the filming, I found myself reflecting back on the things I said. Adrian has a way of drawing our truth out of us that is both both challenging and affirming.
Becky Livingston

Becky Livingston
Author, Educator, Traveler
The experience of sitting with Adrian to talk about my writing process was something quite special. Only by talking out loud, without any prompts or interruptions from Adrian, was I able to clearly understand what I knew about how I work as a writer. I was struck by Adrian’s exceptional skill to hold space for me while on camera. His quality of presence, his dedication to the craft of filming and its necessary editing was outstanding. He worked tirelessly to select the most poignant footage, seeking out my feedback and approval before producing the final film. To artists out there - writers, poets, dancers, painters - interested in presenting a unique portrayal of their creative process for a website or for marketing purposes, I’d highly recommend Adrian.
Kathy Hrabluk

Vice-chair, Learning in Retirement, Selkirk College
I recently had the good fortune to attend a presentation by Adrian in Nelson B.C. It was readily evident to me that he is a gifted speaker and film maker. Adrian's deep compassion for the human condition and the empathetic space he creates for individual stories waiting/needing to be told, captivated my attention. By asking the right questions with kindness, Adrian guides others to bravely explore their life's journey and in doing so shines a light on their resilience, courage and truth.There is a universality to each unique story he records on film, a benefit to all of us as he invites us to listen to each other. I believe Adrian is doing important work building connections in a world that needs just that in these challenging times.
Mike Stolte

Executive Director at Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership
Adrian has a rare sense of compassion and understanding. People often talk about thought leaders. Adrian is out in front as both a thought AND a heart leader, exploring territory that few men ever dare to go near. His approach allows one to feel secure and safe in the vulnerable places and moments that often can lead to self-discovery. Adrian has a rare gift that allows space, the space required for one's own nuggets of wisdom and clarity to emerge from the chaos of our thoughts.
Anna Citrino

Author and Educator
Adrian films groups in a way that engenders deep listening. Because of his gentle, open nature, and generosity of spirit, people feel encouraged to be vulnerable and honest while exploring questions that matter to them. Absorbing group member’s thoughts and reflections as they sit speaking before Adrian’s camera, listeners gradually move inside a place where they experience what it is to be fully present for each other. The interconnection felt is moving, powerful, and life giving. Something unexpectedly bigger than the exchange of opinions and ideas happens as a result. The possibility of something genuine, rare and palpably alive has the opportunity to surface. You see yourself at the threshold of a more expansive place your life might go, of what people might be for and to each other if purposeful deep listening were our common practice. Adrian’s work opens spaces within ourselves that help us see who we are, and reach toward how we might come together and be whole.

SPOTLIGHT

Women in Leadership

“Working with Adrian on his film on Women In Leadership was such an incredible and unique experience. In the days leading up to filming, we spoke about what he was trying to accomplish with his project and I must say... his mission resonated with me deeply. On the day of filming, I quickly forgot that there was even a camera there! He was so easy to talk to and listened in a very meaningful way, leaving ample space to think and reflect. It was almost like talking with an old friend, despite the fact that we had never met in person. In the days after filming, I found that I was in a very reflective state of mind. He made me think about things in a way I hadn't really considered before. I feel so very fortunate to be included in his project. He is a gifted filmmaker that has set out on a journey of profound importance.”

—Cmdr. Amber Comisso, Royal Canadian Navy

What Does Your Experience on Camera Look Like?

The Session

We sit together, in person or virtually. A video camera records our conversation. After a minute or so of comfortable silence, I begin to ask you a series of simple, but fundamental questions. “Who are you? What do you want from life?” I listen quietly as you pause and reflect. Eventually, words begin to tumble out, from a place within that’s new, yet somehow familiar. A place of deep honesty; of deep stillness; a place of quiet and unhurried knowing. A “back country” place in the human heart you may never have visited before.

If you have the courage to stay in this place, you may surprise yourself by what comes next. You may overhear yourself speaking truths you never have articulated before.

Truths about who you really are, perhaps who you’ve always been.

Truths about what you really want, and perhaps have always wanted.

Truths that free you from the iron grip of an old story, and let you start writing one that is more vital and true. I don’t interpret your words. I don’t presume to know what you need to say or do next. My only purpose is to pay full, undivided attention as you continue to explore your own way inward.

I don’t interpret. I don’t presume to know where you need to go or what you need to do next. In fact, I say little if anything at all. My only focus is on paying full, undivided attention as you explore your own way forward.

After the Session

After filming I review the footage in my studio. I spend the following weeks editing it into a short film that captures the essence of the journey you have just taken.

I then share the film with you by Dropbox.

You watch it on your own several times. Seeing yourself in the mirror like this reveals you to yourself in a profoundly new way. You hear, perhaps for the first time ever, from a part of you that knows who you really are, what you really love, and what you want most out of life. That knowledge frees you to pursue the life and the dreams you have always wanted.

What You Get
from Your Experience

Greater insight into the ways family, gender and societal forces have impacted your choices and your outlook on life.
New found clarity about who you are now and what matters most.
An enhanced ability to lead a life that is yours and yours alone.

Why I Do This Work

I had a powerful experience on camera with a gifted fellow filmmaker many years ago. That interview experience and the film debrief we did later helped awaken me to some powerfully self-limiting beliefs. Beliefs about myself that I hadn’t known about, beliefs that had lived in my blind spot my whole life. The experience released me and put me onto a whole new path. I was suddenly clear about who I really was and what I really wanted in life.

SPOTLIGHT

Racism

“Adrian is a gifted professional film maker. He has a unique style whereby he is able to evoke a heart-based authenticity from those he films, unveiling what needs to be told. During the world wide emotional reaction to George Floyd's death - and the anti-racism "say their name" movement, Adrian sought out those who had deeply personal experiences with racism. While it was uncharted inner soul terrain that lay hidden within, Adrian had the ability to gently draw out the stories within me. Before I knew it, he had created a masterpiece of all the poignant experiences that have further impacted and sparked others, with similar stories, to rise up with courage to share their stories about racism too. Adrian is a film "movement- maker."

—Ranjit Dhari, MSN, RN.