Growing up in a traditional Italian family, I experienced a profound lack of personal freedom—a stark contrast to the political struggles for freedom happening around the world in the 70s. My father, a lawyer with a distinguished military background, was a man of admirable qualities, yet his mental rigidity often overshadowed his generosity. He dictated my choices in education and career, steering me down a path far removed from my own aspirations. Until the age of 24, my life was largely determined for me, and I found myself graduating in economics, a field that held little interest for me
When I finally left home at 24 to rebuild and redesign my life, I had no idea how transformative this journey would be. My first step in Paris was to enroll in a ballet class at the Centre de Danse du Marais. The sheer audacity of pursuing ballet after a youth spent conforming to my father’s expectations was astonishing. But this was only the beginning of a profound transformation that would lead me to true wellbeing.
Though I was much older than the other boys in my class, I persisted, continuing my ballet training at the Rosella Hightower School in Cannes and the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. Ballet was my passion, a hobby that fueled my soul. Professionally, I became an architect and entrepreneur, but the battle to reclaim my lost youth through ballet taught me invaluable lessons.
I fell in love with the hard work, the physical sacrifices, and the discipline required to attend ballet classes daily
I fell in love with the hard work, the physical sacrifices, and the discipline required to attend ballet classes daily, even when I was unwell. This physical discipline set me on an incredible path of wellbeing, teaching me to be fit, resilient, and ready every day.
When I broke my foot during a rehearsal, I turned to yoga at the Sivananda Yoga Center in Paris. Back then, yoga wasn’t the trendy, mainstream practice it is today—it was raw, authentic, and deeply rooted in Indian tradition. I immersed myself in workshops, meditation seminars, and the philosophy of yoga, embracing it as a transformative path for my life.
Through yoga, I began to experience freedom in my very bones, aligning my soul with my external actions. What many take for granted, I discovered to be the ultimate luxury—true freedom. I didn’t dream of material wealth like a Porsche; instead, I cherished the expanded vision and profound freedom that ballet and yoga brought into my life. These practices became the foundation for my personal growth and enduring wellbeing.
Today, when we talk about wellbeing, it often conjures images of expensive therapies, luxury retreats, and exclusive meditation escapes. While there’s nothing wrong with these indulgences, my journey of reconnection with my true self—born from a battle to reclaim a lost youth—has taught me that true miracles lie in simplicity and authenticity.
As I embrace life coaching for wellness, I draw on my past experiences as powerful tools to guide myself and my clients on a more authentic path of rediscovery. My approach to coaching is rooted in these simple principles, fostering rejuvenation and transformation far from the conventional stereotypes of therapy. In this way, I aim to help others find their own path to lasting wellbeing.
