michael's update #1
2020 annual letter reflecting on a year of growth, learning from failure, and experiences as a coach + entrepreneur
Hello 👋,
I am trying something new and made a full menu review of the top experiences, learnings, and updates from the year to share. You are invited because you have helped meaningfully support my journey and have been along in some way for the ride. I made it as short and sweet as I could, but if it is not your cup of 🍵, I understand, feel free to unsubscribe at the bottom.
As with any menu, feel free to skip, skim, and/or savor based on appeal and appetite.
1. Bite-sized update
I closed my last startup in personalized nutrition and have transitioned from innovating in the food system to building the future of the education system.
As a Director at The Knowledge Society (TKS), I launched and managed the first 10 month Boston program to its conclusion in first half of 2020. Next, for the second half of the year, I helped double Boston for year two and launched a new virtual global program. My focus has been figuring out how to scale my time and support for 570% growth in personal responsibility for 200+ kids across 22 countries in two programs.
Cut scene: So far, so good. I am currently halfway through this program year and learning even more than last year as I help coach students on projects in exponential tech and in trying to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
2. Full menu update
🍓 First course: tasting a few short and sweet highlights.
Started the year (and decade) by designing a founder retreat, Pixar style. Then another to assemble the Avengers! Well close. It was the first offsite for the TKS director team.
Dove deeper into CEO coaching through workshops, courses, and extended depth psychology trainer program.
Launched TKS Virtual program to work with the most curious and driven students from around the world to build our first fully remote and global program.
🍝 Second course: dishing out three hearty dishes of most transformative personal experiences.
Learned many lessons as a CEO closing the personalized nutrition startup.
Built new personal systems for growth while working with a CEO performance coach weekly.
Ending the first year in TKS Boston with the 🚀 Moonshot Hackathon was my jam. Projects were centered around how to make the world 10x better 10 years into the future. This was the first moment the entire TKS process started to click, and it was exciting to see all the students build creative blueprints for a better future.
🍨 Dessert: a look ahead for what’s next. A hint: it is sweet and savory.
I’ll be moving to San Francisco in June. It’s been an amazing five years in Boston, and I’m excited to start my next chapter, be closer to my twin, and double down on growing TKS globally.
I’m beginning to work weekly with a meditation coach. A new weekly experiment to test integrated practices bringing together martial arts, embodiment, breathing, reflexology, and energy work.
I’m starting, well continuing, to nerd out over coaching + unlocking human potential. There is more I now know I don’t know. This marks the start of a journey to ask more questions, seek more understanding, and experiment more.
If you are hungry for more and want to see the full menu of 27 sumptuous moments from last year, check this out.
3. ☕ Post menu beverage of choice
While that is it for me, let me know what’s been up for you! I’m curious if 2021 had a theme for you, what would that theme be and why?
Warmly, 🙏 take care,
Michael
Ps. I hope to send out shorter and more frequent updates each quarter. I’m adding this postscript for social accountability.