With an anxiety disorder and OCD diagnosis in tow, I challenge myself, and the world at large. I have spent the past 30 years living and working in a number of countries, and have enjoyed a successful career as a designer, director, writer, artist and blacksmith, despite my anxiety. In fact, in many instances, because of it. I have learnt many incredible tools along the way, from an array of teachers, therapists, fellow anxiety warriors, and the hard knocks that an OCD diagnosis will at times deliver. Through it all, my knowledge and resilience grows. I become stronger. Don’t get me wrong, I still have challenges, but I am now living a life of purpose, with my anxiety as a distraction, that on bad days I notice, and on most days, watches from the side line as I kick the door down.

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I have practiced meditation and hammered steel, for about the same amount of time. In the past 25 years, I have learnt many simple truths. Perhaps the most important, both as a metal worker and meditator, is that the harder I work, the greater my reward. Do the work and you will see the results. Sharpen that sword. It's as simple as that. I have also learnt that stillness can be found under any circumstances, irrespective of how chaotic and noisy the environment, or the mind, happens to be. It's strange how peaceful a blacksmith's workshop is, despite the near constant forging and hammering. This is not magic. It is simply a result of the work I have put into remaining present.  I do the work.

 

I have developed my meditation practice on four continents, alongside meditators and teachers from many parts of the world. Seven years ago, I launched mindforge, and have taught meditation and anxiety management, and mastery, to individuals and groups of people struggling with anxiety, OCD, addiction and depression.. Most recently, I worked on the humanitarian front, within a South African organisation called Ubuntu Army, helping thousands of people, online and over the radio, navigate the anxiety, isolation and depression that Covid lockdowns presented to us.. Serving the people struggling during the Covid lockdowns was the greatest privilege of my life, and the lessons I learnt from this experience helped reformulate the recovery approach I present in mindforge. Service is a lethal tool.

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I am not a registered psychologist, but define myself, when pressed on the subject, as an anxiety therapist and consultant, I get the results. I apply a holistic approach to treating anxiety symptoms, exploring the mental, physical and spiritual health of my clients. What is unique about the mindforge approach to treating the distress caused by the anxiety experience, and I believe contributes to its incredible success, is that we are not constrained by a single world view or modality of practice. Instead we utilise tools and points-of-view from a range of therapy modalities and philosophies. In short, we keep what works and lose the rest. The mindforge approach has been developed and refined over the past 25 years, and is based on my personal experience and development as a man diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, on my professional and philanthropic work as an anxiety consultant and meditation and mindfulness coach, and on evidence-based research from the anxiety community at large. The mindforge approach is current, cutting edge and tried and tested. It works.

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Together, the practice of meditation and the use of the tools that I have accumulated and studied, and which I will teach to you, will transform your life. Guaranteed. No robes, or incense, or expensive meditation cushions, or a library of self-help books and meditation apps, required. Just daily meditation and the moment-to-moment observation of your world, as it unfolds. Acceptance. Without judgement. Even when confronted by difficult emotions and thoughts. The practice of meditation, in conjunction with the application of your mindforge tool set, will deliver. The key word is practice. You won't suddenly be "cured", and your worries, fears, depressions and addictions won't all immediately disappear (although some actually will if approached from the right point of view), but with practice and commitment, you will regain your power, your joy, your peace and your happiness. Guaranteed.