About Pancho
Because Why began in a philosophy classroom, but my interest in integrity started much earlier.
As a kid, I was told what to believe more often than I was invited into dialogue. That led me to think independently, and I became fascinated by questions. How do we know what we know? And how do we navigate the gap between what we say we value and how we actually behave? What makes doing something worthwhile?
That curiosity led me to study economics, philosophy, and positive psychology. It led me into the outdoor industry, onto startup teams, and into projects at the intersection of purpose and uncertainty.
It also led me into the mountains.
Things become clearer when you’re tied into a rope, breathing hard, and trusting someone on the other end. The stakes are real, and there isn’t room for mental chatter. You discern whether you’re acting (or failing to act) from fear or presence. You learn what it’s like to know there is only one thing you need to do next and then to do it. Your insides match your outsides.
I’ve found the same dynamic in senior leadership meetings and coaching sessions.
The work I do with leaders and teams isn’t about process improvement or optimization. It’s about alignment. When beliefs, values, and behavior line up, people move differently. Shared context and a sense of togetherness give people meaning. They communicate more clearly. They take ownership. They act beyond their job description and begin to lead with judgment and care.
My clients are often high-capacity people in moments of transition. They want to build teams that can think for themselves. They want relationships at work that feel energizing rather than draining. They want to succeed without becoming someone they don’t recognize.
That work starts with self-awareness. It expands into relational intelligence. And when a team does it together, it becomes part of the culture.
I introduce research-backed frameworks and structured reflection, but the real work is in the conversation. I won’t hand you answers. I’ll help you build the skills to see more clearly, challenge your assumptions, and practice new ways of showing up.
I’m irreverent enough to call out irony. Sincere enough to sit with discomfort. And self-aware enough to laugh at myself along the way.
The Sierra Nevada is still my favorite place in the world. Being there reminds me how little time I have, how meaningful this all is, and how objectively small we all are.
As your coach, I’ll bring my whole self to the conversation. I’ll expect you to do the same.
Qualifications and Accomplishments
ACC Credential - International Coaching Federation
Advanced Coach Certificate - Lumia Coaching
Futurist Academy Board of Directors - Programming Lead
Randstad Risesmart Career Coach Authority
Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy - Outdoor Industry Association
200hr Yoga Teacher Certification
BS in in Economics and Philosophy - Cal Poly SLO