There's something that's lit up, like a circuit when we hike and explore together that I don't have words for, but that somehow makes me feel nourished and more alive.
CEO, HR tech startup
kenshō hike
A 2-3 hour deep coaching experience on some of the most beautiful trails in the Bay Area. Allow nature to expand your mind, open your heart, and connect you to something much deeper.
This is for you if you're at an inflection point: a big decision to make, a recurring question, or a new chapter on the horizon.
why it works
Walking in nature changes us. Here's what the research says.
It boosts creative thinking. Stanford research found walking lifts divergent, open-ended thinking - the kind where you generate options and reframe a problem instead of grinding at it - by about 60%.
Lowers stress. Time in nature calms the body: pooled across studies, a forest setting lowers cortisol - your body's primary stress hormone - by roughly 12-18% compared with a city setting (2019 meta-analysis).
Calms the mind. A single 90-minute walk in nature measurably lowered rumination - the looping, stuck kind of thinking - where the same walk through city traffic did not (2015 Stanford study).
Improves cognitive performance. Research shows averting our gaze measurably improves memory and reasoning, freeing mental resources for hard problems (Glenberg et al., 1998). Walking side-by-side allows us to capitalize on this.
And you get to experience awe. The feeling of standing under something vast, like a ridgeline view or a grove of tall trees, reliably shrinks self-importance and pulls you out of your own head, increasing generosity and collective empathy (2015 study of awe).
how it works
- Send me a message. We'll hop on a call to clarify your goals and coordinate logistics.
- We hike. Your world changes. You walk away with self-generated insight and a specific action plan.
- A few weeks later, we check in on a 1-hour call to build momentum and see what else has opened up for you.
I call it the Leland magical vacuum effect. This morning showed me some places I'm afraid to go, which is a good thing to see, and a sign that I'm playing at my edge. Such an amazing insight!
Managing partner, HR boutique firm
This morning felt like wide open blue sky spacious and endless possibilities… I'm so, so grateful for you and this very expansive part of you that always invites me out to play. My cup and my heart are full.
CHRO, Series D healthtech
Thanks for being with me in the space of all of it: good, bad, right, wrong, thrilling, terrifying… to deny or compartmentalize any of these would be to deny the movement of life itself.
CEO, Fintech startup
I don't think I've had anyone interested in me like this. You take connections and see what I don't see. I feel like this is magic!
Co-founder & CTO, Series B startup
Thank you for being you and also for seeing me. I'm finding that telling the truth is quite liberating. I came away from our hike feeling lighter and more free. The only way things can change is to really, truly feel them instead of stepping over them or trying to package them in a way that makes them more palatable or digestible.
VP Talent
First let me say, THANK YOU! The conversation we had felt one of the most honest moments I've had in a while, you know being an entrepreneur feels like you always have to be 'right' and have your crap together… I felt that I could tell you honestly I did not have my crap together, and you did not judge me, rather helped me empower myself and do what's right. Honestly, thank you.
Founder & CEO, Logistics startup
common questions
What should I bring?
Layers, water, and shoes with good grip. Notepad optional.
How fit do I need to be?
If you can walk, you're good. We set the pace together. This is about conversation, not cardio.
What happens if it rains?
We'll reschedule. I'll keep an eye on the forecast and reach out a day or two before if it looks dicey.
Is this therapy?
No. Coaching is forward-looking - we focus on decisions, goals, and what's next. I don't diagnose or treat. If something comes up that's better suited for therapy, I'll tell you directly and can help you find the right person.
How is this different from your Premium Coaching Partnership?
The Premium Coaching Partnership is a deep, multi-month engagement with consistent sessions, extra touchpoints, accountability, and access to me between sessions. The hike is a short-term, intensive experience. Think of it as a way to experience coaching together without a long-term commitment.
What if I just need one session?
That's completely fine. Some people get what they need in one hike. Others come back regularly. There's no pressure either way.
What does it cost?
Current pricing - including the investment for your first hike - is on the invitations page. I keep it there so there's one place to look and it's always up to date.
If this sounds like your kind of thing, send me a message.