Who on Earth is Rob Davis? That's a question many supporters of the Dallas Cowboys are asking, and his sudden hiring to Mike McCarthy's new staff this offseason raised some eyebrows. After all, he has no coaching experience -- at any level of football -- but is now the assistant head coach of literally the most valuable team in all of sports. While it's fair to wonder where McCarthy is going with this, those who know and have worked with Davis have nothing but high praise for him.

Randall Cobb is one such person, and the veteran wide receiver immediately rubber-stamped McCarthy's decision to bring Davis on-staff.

"That man is a legend," he said.

That's a strong endorsement from the usually-reserved Cobb, and it hints at the combination of Davis plus McCarthy being enough to keep the Pro Bowler in Dallas for 2020. That would certainly please Davis, who knows Cobb well from their time together as members of the Green Bay Packers organization.

Davis and the Packers parted ways in 2018, but he first spent an entire decade as the club's director of player personnel, hired into the role in 2008 by McCarthy, who was so impressed with Davis' football acumen he awarded him the job only one year after Davis retired from the NFL -- having spent his previous decade as long snapper for the very same Packers. After a stint in the private sector, Davis is back in football and tasked with helping McCarthy make the Cowboys contenders again.

And while he's labeled as assistant head coach, a source initially framed the hiring to CBS Sports as having nothing to do with X's and O's. Davis himself essentially confirmed as much in speaking with the media this offseason, identifying himself as someone who won't truly be involved with coaching what happens inside the lines, but instead what goes out outside of them.

"Most of my post-playing career has been in the life-coaching space, trying to develop high-performing teams and develop young men into better men and better players," he said. "We're going to start there. Players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

It's Davis' ability to empathize that's helped him find success in those goals, and readily ingratiates him with NFL players who aren't always prepared for the money and potential stardom they acquire once they achieve their lifelong dream of playing in the league.

"The NFL can provide a lot of distractions for these young men coming into the league," he said. "Most of us come from humble beginnings, middle class all the way down to poverty, and sometimes this can be pretty big for us when we walk into the NFL."

So, yes, Davis will help if and as needed with whatever else McCarthy requires, but his primary job is to make sure Cowboys players are prospering off-the-field and, at minimum, are staying far away from negative headlines. Considering the team's perennial issues with the latter, Davis could make his presence felt in that respect almost immediately.

"They're going to do the X's and O's, and I hope to provide assistance with both the X's and O's, but, more importantly, in the life and development of the whole player," Davis said.

McCarthy wants to change the culture of the Cowboys, and adding Davis as his right-hand man is just another example of how dedicated he is to seeing his plan through. It's also a nod to owner Jerry Jones and Co., who are allowing him the freedom to construct the blueprint as he sees fit -- shedding the stubbornness that saw them glued to Jason Garrett for nearly a decade.

It's a new day in Dallas, and nothing thus far points to that statement being hyperbole.

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Cowboys assistant head coach Rob Davis has important role with team, but it's not what many might think - CBS Sports

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) Former Newman basketball coach Mark Potter suffered from anxiety most of his life. Fifteen years ago the anxiety spiraled into severe depression.

That season was different. By the time we got to the first game of that season, I was in severe depression. I had really dark thoughtssuicidal thoughts. To the point of this cloud over my head I can't get rid of it, says Potter sitting in the gym that now has his name painted on the floor.

Potter says in less than six weeks he lost a lot of weight, and interest in the game he loves.

I lost my passion and didn't know why. I would say I would come in and describe it as I would fake it for two hours for practice.

Potter says he did consider suicide and had it not been for his wife, he may have taken his own life.

She finally decided enough is enough. My wife at that point did not take no for an answer.

Retired from coaching, Potter now has a new mission. He travels the country to share his story.

I was not going to talk about this publicly. I felt the guilt and the embarrassment of not being the man, the coach and the father I was supposed to be.

Potter turned to professional help. He went to therapy and was prescribed medications that he proudly tells people he is still on today.

I have no problems telling you and the world Im on medication.

Prairie View President and CEO Jessie Kaye says what Potter is doing is so important to help break the stigma of mental illness.

It's a fear of exposing a vulnerability. When Im sitting in church people may stand up and say there was a spot on my x-ray, or I just found out Im diabetic, or my husband was just diagnosed with cancer. The pastor and congregation are supportive and we send cards and take casseroles. I've never heard anyone stand up and say my anxiety is getting worse or my son is having more trouble with depression or someone in my family attempted suicide, says Kaye.

But thats what Potter is doing. Hes standing up and telling his story through his organization called D2UP. He talks to anyone who will listen, mostly young people in schools and colleges, and tells them that its okay to get help.

There is strength in getting help and becoming the best version of yourself. It is not weakness which is what generation after generation has been told including my generation. If you are struggling at all please take the first step and go to your doctor and do what your doctor tells you to do, says Potter.

Kaye says one in four people will have a mental illness at some point in their life.

A mental illness is a disease. Its a treatable disease. It has to do with chemicals in our brain and recovery is very possible.

Potter says maybe its you, or someone you know. Reaching out for help can and does save lives.

You may change or save a life you never know.

If you or someone you know suffers from anxiety or depression, you can find a list of "Helpful Resources" at kwch.com/stateofmind.

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Former coach shares struggle to overcome anxiety, depression: 'I felt guilty and embarrassed' - KWCH

Transitioning from a well-paid corporate job to building a successful solo business was, for me, a daunting goal with a lot of trial and error.

But when I was laid off from my corporate job in 2000, I needed to reinvent myself. I discovered the emerging field known aslife coaching.

There were many clients along the way whom I didnt say no to because I was afraid I wouldnt have enough money to make it through the month, let alone build the successful business I wanted.

As I eventually discovered, this was the wrong way to grow a business.

Setting proper boundaries is essential for many reasons; one of the most overlooked or counterintuitive reasons is identifying and implementing boundaries creates structure. Thisstructure is necessary to set and achieve goals and build a successful business or relationship.

Saying yes to everyone or working harder is not always the answer. Using the power of no can make the difference for your practice.

When you dont set limits on your time and energy, you can slowly drift away from your goals and values slipping into a self-sabotaging and continual cycle of burn-out, anger, resentment, overwhelm, frustration and disappointment (not to bum you out), none of which will lead you to a prosperous and fulfilling life and business.

I learned this the hard way. I worried if I said no to just one client, I wouldnt make my bills, or worse, put food on the table.

And so, after a lifetime of living with the self-sabotaging pattern of saying yes when I often wanted to say no, I dedicated myself to transforming these patterns into a system to confidently set and convey my boundaries and stay focused on what was most important to me.

I learned ultimately the more laser-focused and structured my goals were, the sooner I would reach them and the less fearful I felt. It makes sense, right?

When you are not used to setting boundaries, it can feel overwhelming, among other emotions. To make it easier for my clients and students to make these changes, I created The TAILOR System.

TAILOR is an acronym for the six steps to empowered boundary-setting. This mnemonic device makes it simple to remember the steps so you can accomplish your goal of boundary-setting and create the life you want.

T is forTrigger. Learn to identify specifically what situations, memories, language, or behaviors trigger your negative feelings of anger, resentment, guilt, hurt, disappointment, etc. Ask yourself: What specifically triggered my negative emotions?

A is forAwareness and Acknowledgment. Learn to becomeawareof your triggers, negative feelings, and self-sabotaging behaviors when they are about to happen or are happening.Learn the power and necessity of acknowledgment of self and others.

I is forIssue and Intuition. Identify what the real underlying issue is. Ask yourself: What is underneath my anger, frustration, guilt, overwhelm, or other initial reactions? Become aware of, and tap into your intuition.

L is forLanguage. Develop new supportive, confident, and empowering language to communicate your expectations and your boundary line.

O is forOutcome. Identify the specific outcome you want, instead of the disempowering one youve been settling for.

R is forResponse. Identify and break the pattern of your old negative and self-sabotaging responses and develop new, more empowering responses.

The TAILOR System is the big picture for boundary-setting. What I hear most often from people is their biggest challenge in boundary-setting is eliciting the proper language to set and convey a boundary, so Id like to give you my favorite tip to get you started. Its called:My Seven Magic Words.

Myseven magic wordsare: Hmm, Id like to think about this. Learning to say no confidently is abigleap when you are not skilled in setting and communicating boundaries. Therefore, you need what I call bridge language to narrow the gap between explaining why you are saying no, and confidently setting a boundary.

Bridge language starts the process of repatterning your knee-jerk, self-sabotaging response of saying yes and transforms it into a considered response.

When you say, Hmm, Id like to think about this, it conveys reflection simply by the language itself. The word hmm provides a thoughtful pause in the response. It conveys you want to carefully consider the request being made.

Lest you think this phrase is the same as saying maybe, it is not.

I encourage to you practice using this phrase whenever someone asks you something even if it doesnt seem to fit the situation. You will learn to build your muscle and break you knee-jerk response of always saying yes.

Defining and implementing your goals through proper boundary-setting will lead you to work with the type of clients whom you value and will value you.

Isnt this one of the most important reasons for having your own business?

About the Author: Julie A. Hawkinswas a lifelong people-pleaser until the unexpected death of her life partner, which forced her to begin setting and conveying proper boundaries to survive and thrive. Drawing on two decades as a life coach and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) trainer, Hawkins developed an innovative six-step system to help others say no without guilt and confidently set boundaries. She lives in Silicon Valley, where she conducts workshops and spends time with her human and furry friends. She is the author of Say No Without Guilt, Six Achievable Steps to Confidently Set and Communicate Boundaries.

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The Power of No: Learn to Create the Business You Really Want - Massage Magazine

After a long, successful run in corporate America, in March of 2016, I was fired from my second executive position in about 20 months. I was lost, and I didnt know the next step in my life, family, or career. I felt mentally and emotionally paralyzed and thought my run of success was over.

A friend of mine who had started coaching on a professional basis called me and begin asking questions about my termination, my current state, and my future intentions. After a few calls, he asked if I wanted some help moving forward. I said yes. His immediate response was, are you saying yes to support from a friend or a coach? This question shocked me because, well, we were friends. I never thought about him as a coach. I thought coaching and his coaching business was a joke. I struggled with the concept of paying someone to talk to me and be my friend.

A week or so later I still had no better idea of what my future looked like, and honestly, I had no idea how to handle even living. I never told anyone at the time, but I was suicidal and had almost given up on life. I was 300 pounds, an alcoholic, and had no idea how to even begin putting my life back together. We spoke again, and I hired him. I still wasnt a believer, but I realized that if I kept doing what I had always done, I was going to keep getting the same results. I just thought I needed another job. He had bigger ideas.

How much water do you drink every day? my coach asked.

I need to find a job, and you ask me about how much water Im drinking? I shot back.

Mike, your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are directly tied to your career, he fired back.

This began the process of me showing up to lead myself before I could lead anyone else. My coach checked in with me often, called me out on my excuses, and kept pushing me to new levels of health. About 6 months in, I had lost about 60 pounds, stopped drinking, and had career prospects. My family was shocked at the progress I had made in such a short time. I noticed that my kids began choosing better meals, and they even began mixing in some exercise in our basement gym.

Im not looking for a job anymore. Im going to start a coaching business, I told my wife once I decided what I was going to do. So were going to lose everything? she sarcastically and ferociously shot back. At this point, I knew what I had to do, and I knew that Id never work for anyone ever again.

During my corporate career, the only things I loved doing were building high-performing teams and helping my employees achieve more than they thought they could achieve. I did everything else because I felt that I had to to get to coach and present to them. When I decided to coach, I had also basically decided that I would never again do anything I didnt enjoy.

I hired a business coach to help me define and get started in my business and went to conferences and many group trainings to create my business as fast as possible. I watched videos, read books, and listened to audiobooks somewhere between 8-10 hours per day to continue to grow and learn how to coach. I joined a mastermind where I was the only one without income, and the two senior members were millionaires. My business began to build, and once that coach could take me no further, I hired another coach who was farther along. I had shifted from someone who didnt believe in coaching at all to someone who couldnt get enough. I could gain access to someone elses knowledge and wisdom, and since they had already created what I wanted to create, they could help me get there faster. My growth was light-speed. My entire life changed rapidly.

At the beginning of January 2020, I began a membership community for men. We focus on and help each other lead self, lead society, and lead family more powerfully and with more intention and focus. Currently, we are small, but still have men from Montana, to Nebraska to Georgia. Each week theres training and coaching, the men digitally communicate daily, and each month we will gather virtually so that we can commune. On January 28, 2020, we held our first virtual group gathering. Heres some of the unsolicited feedback from the first session:

That was incredible for me. Honestly, never felt more understood than in that call. I look forward to showing up for myself and all of you going forward.

It was great to hear everyones story. It makes me feel good to talk about mine. #movingforward.

Loved the call last night, everyone. Thanks for your vulnerability. I woke up today with a little extra early spring in my step. Focused on how Im showing up for myself.

I agree with everyone that that call was excellent last night. The character of the men in the group was impressive. I am ready to start living my purpose and it is incredible to know that I can count on the people in this group to support me. Thanks, everyone, just for being here.

The guys are feeding off of each other, inspiring each other, and supporting each others growth. Its fun to watch each of them show up and help each other. They get it. Community and support help you get where you want to go faster, and theres immense value in journeying with a group of people who are after something similar to what you are trying to achieve.

Since Ive started my business, Ive had five coaches of different varieties, been in three masterminds, attended multiple weekend retreats, and hired many people to help me solve problems in half the time that it would have taken me to solve them myself.

Ive certainly grown from that guy who didnt believe in coaching. The people I surround myself with today are more accomplished, polished, wealthy, and willing to teach me. I pay a lot of money to get where I want to go faster because Ive learned a few things:

Probably the most powerful lesson Ive learned is that unhealthy pride convinces you that you need to do it yourself. Healthy pride is desiring to accomplish more, but unhealthy pride will make the journey longer, more volatile, and a lot more difficult than required. The men in my membership group are already seeing the benefits after one month. The right group of people will make sure that you achieve what you want as long as youre humble enough to give away your knowledge and wisdom and accept support.

The support is available. There are coaches, masterminds, and groups everywhere that will help you achieve. The main question to ask yourself: Do I feel that I need to do it on my own? The answer to that question will determine how fast you achieve your goals.

A former coach gave me this advice:

Professionals hire coaches and pick the easiest route. Amateurs try to do it themselves and have convinced themselves that their worth and value is wrapped up in their struggle.

Which do you choose?

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Do You Need to Do It All Yourself? - Thrive Global

As a time management coach, I clearly care about organization. On a daily basis, I work with goal-oriented individuals trying to find the right balance. That being said, you may be surprised to hear that being overly focused on organization can be counterproductive. I explain with these five tips to living more peaceful and productive lives.

Sometimes, in the quest for the perfect organizational system, individuals can take their eyes off the prize. I recognize people have missed the mark when they tell me that theyve read every time management book they could find, tried all the tools available, and still feel hopelessly unproductive.

Instead of focusing on the perfect system, I recommend starting to establish simple habits that help you to get more done. For example, maybe begin by writing down your top three tasks for the day on a Post-it note and sticking it to your computer. Then focus on accomplishing those items first. Id rather have you finish whats most important than spend hours reorganizing task lists and questioning whether youre even using the right task management tool.

Over time, you can up-level your systems, and they could become more sophisticated. But if you spend more time planning and organizing than doing, its time to shift your focus.

From my observation, everyone needs some method of recording commitments and everyone needs some way to intentionally decide what they will do each day. But how individuals complete those tasks can vary widelyand thats okay. Some people will have all commitments recorded in their calendar. Others will use a task management app. Others will keep a paper to-do list. And in terms of planning, theres similarly a range of options from all digital to completely analog and variations in between.

Related: The time-management hack that doubled my income

The right organization system for you is the one that youre willing to use consistently and that helps you act in a focused and productive manner.

Saying no by either not accepting commitments in the first place or by eliminating commitments that are currently on your plate is your most powerful organizational tool. Its the equivalent of decluttering your closet before you attempt to hang everything up. By reducing the overall number of items, you make it easier to organize.

When you declutter from a time management perspective, youre not only giving yourself less to fit into each day but also more time to keep the whole system maintained.

Similar to committing to being a healthy person, being an organized person requires a lifestyle change.

You cant eat well and exercise for a few months, lose some weight, then go back to doing what you were doing before and expect to stay healthy. In the same way, you cant think intentionally about your commitments, use your calendar, get some things done, and then just stop practicing those habits.

Organization is an ongoing commitment on a daily basis to do the activities that will make you feel less stressed and more productive.

Im a very organized person, and Im known for having good follow-up and follow-through. But even very organized people can make mistakes! I had a situation recently where I had made a note in my calendar to follow up with one of my coaching clients about a piece of information on a certain day. (Whenever I make follow-up commitments, I write down the task.)

However, in this instance, I labeled the beginning of the task in the same way I label client birthdays with a 3-[Client Name]. On the day I was supposed to follow up, I was moving too quickly and assumed it was my clients birthday instead of opening the task and realizing that I needed to send her follow-up information. So long story short, she got a birthday greeting about six months in advance! This was a good reminder to me to be careful about how I label my tasks and also to slow down and read them more carefully.

The path to an organized life may be closer than you realize. Instead of aiming for perfection or striving to copy someone else, commit to a lifestyle of discovering and using the strategies that help you to be your best, most organized self.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the author of Divine Time Management and How to Invest Your Time Like Money and a time management coach. Check out her website for more information.

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A time management coach's tips on getting better organized - Fast Company

Grants funded nonprofits in 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and international cities

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In 2019, the Wells Fargo Foundation launched a new philanthropic strategy anchored around unlocking economic opportunity for people and communities by addressing housing affordability, small business growth and financial health. The Foundation invested $455 million in grants in the last year, funding national organizations to deliver programs at scale and nonprofits that specifically address the needs of local markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200220005232/en/

Wells Fargo is on a journey to create greater community impact through its business and philanthropy, said Bill Daley, vice chairman of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. Economic mobility is a critical issue, particularly for low-to-moderate income communities where people lack access to the resources necessary for a sustainable livelihood: adequate housing, stable jobs, or financial health services. In the year ahead, we will streamline our grant-making around these important areas and focus on addressing systemic barriers to success. This is the time to collaborate, be bold and think like social entrepreneurs.

We commend Wells Fargo for their willingness to step up on issues facing our constituents and commit resources and expertise to look at community challenges at the local, state and national levels, said Derrick Johnson, president and chief executive officer of NAACP. We have a long way to go to achieve economic equality in this country, and its going to take highly focused efforts and unparalleled conviction to get us there. We were glad to see Wells Fargo further their commitment to housing, small business and financial health in its philanthropic approach; as these issues affect everyday life, particularly in low-income communities, and will create a pathway for more people to attain financial mobility.

Making an Impact: Recap of 2019 Philanthropy

Overall, Wells Fargos philanthropy in 2019 helped more people find a place to call home, grow small businesses offering meaningful local jobs and increase financial health and wellness. Results include:

In addition, Wells Fargo made more than 2,800 grants to nonprofits in response to the housing affordability crisis and unique local challenges in communities across the U.S. From Anchorage, Alaska to Atlanta, Wells Fargo supported organizations that are developing new affordable rental homes, expanding homeownership opportunities for ethnically diverse households, creating long-term affordability by investing in community land trusts, and stopping the devastating flow of families into homelessness. For example, Wells Fargo provided funding for the renovation of apartments at Hope Gardens Family Center in Los Angeles, where the Union Rescue Mission helps women and children move from the streets into stable homes.

The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab that speeds the path to market for promising clean-technology startups, is another example of momentum in the small business community. In 2019, IN2 expanded into sustainable agriculture and residential housing, adding 15 new startups. To date, 40 portfolio companies have gone on to raise more than $282 million in follow-on funding and six have successfully exited the program through mergers and acquisitions.

With tax-time approaching, the Wells Fargo Foundation and the AARP Foundation are reaching seniors with free tax preparation services, helping them access critical tax credits and refunds that many depend on for household necessities, debt repayment, or savings. The funding will enable AARP Foundation to expand Tax-Aide, the largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation service in the U.S., to 24 additional neighborhood locations while more than doubling the number of taxpayers who receive a refund from 34,000 to over 70,000.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargos vision is to satisfy our customers financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,400 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 32 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 260,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortunes 2019 rankings of Americas largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200220005232/en/

Jennifer Dunn, (202) 303-2966

[emailprotected]

Kim Erlichson, (201) 463-4243

[emailprotected]

Source: Wells Fargo & Company

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Wells Fargo Foundation Increased Access to Housing, Jobs, Financial Coaching in 2019 - Insurance News Net

PISCATAWAY, N.J. Greg Schiano is back at Rutgers, but hes not quite home yet. That is coming soon. He and his wife Christy had built the house of their dreams during their first go-around here, thinking theyd stay forever. But, of course, life (and an NFL head coaching opportunity) happened, and they didnt stay forever.

Right now, Schiano is living out of a hotel. Soon, he and Christy will be back in their old house their buyers back then have since become sellers, though Schiano knows hes probably not getting the best deal here just a stones throw from the Scarlet Knights football facilities.

Schiano sits now, in his corner office of the Hale Center, tasked with building again what he built up once before. Back in December 2000, he inherited a football program that had just endured the worst five-year stretch in program history (11-44) and turned it into a regular contender in the old Big East. His 2006 team, led by Mike Teel, Brian...

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The reintroduction of head coach Greg Schiano - The Athletic

Travel coach Dylan Essertier in India.

A lot of people have life coaches and career coachesbut have you ever heard of a travel coach? Dylan Essertier is a travel writer turned travel coach who now works with people looking to reach their goals through travel. Over the years, I searched long and hard for a travel advisor that would speak to a woman like mesomeone who didnt just want to escape through travels but use that time away to help me move toward my long-term goals, says the writer, who also had a side hustle as a life coach.

Since she couldnt find that person, she created the job for herself. Through her new company, Dylan Grace, Essertiersupports people around the world through 1-1 coaching, including road-mapping their trips, keeping them accountable for their goals while they are away and even guiding them through re-entry.Essertier also teaches e-courses and holds retreats to support people interested in making a career out of travel, teaching them ways to grow a meaningful business out of that passion. She founded Dylan Grace with her mother, Toni Essertier, who oversees the booking side of the company.

A travel coach is not exactly a new conceptsome people call it the modern-day version of a travel agent, yet one with a laser focus on your goals and mindset. In short, its a more holistic approach to travel planningan intersection of advisory and personal coaching.It wasn't until the past decade or so, and even more specifically the past five years, that travel coaching has really taken off, explains Michael Bennet, co-founder of the Transformational Travel Council.Bennet attributes the new categoryto the rise of the personal development industry and the growing popularity of experiential adventures. In addition, notes Bennet, many modern travelers are now interested in prioritizing the why and how of travel rather than the what and where.

The average age of travelers has been getting younger and younger and these travelers are dealing with existential questions and crises, things like the infamous 'Quarter Life Crisis' and 'Saturn's Return' and so forth, where they are facing some of life's most important questions, says Bennet. They also have money for the first time, plus access to immersive and experiential travel experiences more than ever before.

READ MORE:Quit Your Job And Live Abroad: 10 Places So Cheap You Might Be Able To Stop Working

Experiencing slow travel on Rail Rovos in South Africa.

Essertier says she is noticing a shift in travel psychology, as well: Many of my clients areless interested in sitting on a beach and forgetting their life back home. Now they want to use their time traveling to reflect, learn, reset and figure out what really matters to them.

Here, Essertier tells how she reinventednot only her own life through her travels, but how she is helping other women use travel to build better lives through their own travels.

My Career Journey: I started my career working in human resources in training and development. I enjoyed my work and helping employees build confidence, but I became restless. I had always dreamt of traveling the world and becoming a writer so when I got an opportunity to move to the Middle East, I took it. I spent six years working as a culture editor in Dubai, traveling to so many places to report on the latest luxury hospitality trends.

Why I Decided to Do This: When I moved back to New York a few years ago, I continued my travel writing, and some of my friends started asking me to help them plan trips. During our conversations, I wasnt just asking them if they preferred the beach or snow. Without realizing it at the time, I was trying to discover a more holistic picture: How is work? Whats your dream job? Are there any major changes youve faced over the past couple of years? These answers helped us choose a destination and itinerary that felt right, a place where they would get the most out of their time away. Before I knew it, friends of friends were asking me to plan their trips. Some were taking sabbaticals and wanted advice on how to travel alone without feeling lonely, how to make friends while in a new country and how to stay safe. These were all concerns I experienced during my years living as an expat. Since I could relate, we would often stay connected during and after their trips, chatting about all their highs and lows. I didnt realize I was slowly building a business until I started receiving emails from strangers asking for my travel planning rates.

READ MORE:Ranked: The Worlds 10 Worst Cities To Live (3 Are In The US)

The Floating Farmhouse in the Catskills, where Essertier will be hosting a travel writing retreat ... [+] this spring.

Trips That Matter: I work with clients going through a job relocation, the end of a relationship, retirement abroad or a career change. I also design shorter trips and host retreats; I especially love planning volunteer vacations. Right now Im helping plan a one-year anniversary for a couple interested in doing relationship goal-setting during a trip to the Amalfi Coast. This spring, Ill be hosting a travel writing retreat in the Catskills at the Floating Farmhouse.

Inspirational Journey: I was recently approached by a woman who wanted to spend six months in Bali between finance jobs. When we first connected, she explained to me that she wanted an experience that would include not only fun in the sun, but also fitness, spirituality, personal interests and cultural immersion. It was also her first time traveling solo, so we talked a lot about what mindset shifts would happen to reframe her extended time alone from something that might feel nerve-racking and scary into an incredible opportunity to connect with new people and herself. Together we mapped out an itinerary that included yoga, visits to local healers and philanthropy andstrategically plannedaccommodations that would allow her to socialize (ie. hotels with ton of community activities) while still stayingaccountable for carving out alone time and self-reflection. Before she left, I sent her a poem that touched upon some of the personal things we had talked about, as well as a journal. I encouraged her to write in each night so she could later look back on her moments ofbravery and enlightenment.

Getting Creative in the Galapagos: A woman asked me to help her plana trip dedicated to reconnecting with her creative side. She had been working as a successful entrepreneur for many years, and although she loved it, she wanted to get out of the weeds to make time for big-picture thinking. She was also a nature lover, so we ended up planning a trip to the Galapagos for her around the theme of imagination. Before she left, I prepared a list of questions designed to help her reflect on the evolution of her business. By stepping outside of her day-to-day, she was ableto awaken her sense of creativity through new scenery, andalso be purposeful about using the trip for internal reflectiona thought process, she said, that led her to develop a new business ideashortly after that trip.

Photographing the famous Pinnacle Rock in the Galpagos, a perfect place to take a transformative ... [+] trip.

Travel Advice: 3 Easy Ways to Make Your Next Trip More Meaningful

Here, Essertier shares her tips for planning an enriching and fulfilling trip.

Essertier advises that travelers ask themselves: "What do I want to feel?"

Where to Go Next: 3 Exciting Experiences for 2020

Here, Essertier shares three experiences shes excited about for 2020 that you should also put on your radar.

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Personal Travel Coaches Are The Hot New Trend. Here's What They Are And Why You Need One - Forbes

Greg Carters reputation as a football coach speaks for itself. After 42 years of coaching the game, hes still going strong at Oak Park High School, collecting a 360 wins and 119 losses since starting as an assistant coach at Detroit St. Martin de Porres in 1978.

Winning eight state championship as an assistant, Carter became a head coach at de Porres in 1994 and won four state championships with the school. Moving to coach Inkster in 2005, he led the program to two state finals berths, losing in 2006 and 2008.

Since his first season with Oak Park in 2011, Carter has turned the program into an annual contender and as churned out many players that have gone onto the NCAA Division I level.

Carter has built a rsum that has allowed him to be selected to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Announced as a member of the 14-member 2020 induction class, Carter will be formally inducted at the MHSFCA Induction & Banquet on March 7 at 5:30 p.m.

It means a lot, at any point Carter said of the honor. Whether you are retired or whether youre still active, It means that people just appreciate what youre doing and Im just happy to see it after all these years.

Looking back at the very beginning, however, Carter did not envision himself accomplishing any of his championships or milestones along the way. In fact, he thought he would coach a different sport altogether.

I never thought about being a football coach, Carter said. Baseball was the sport that I spent most of my time seeing."

Although Carter played football while at Detroit Mackenzie High School, he was also an accomplished baseball player for the school in the late 1960s and early 70s. He earned All-American status while at Mackenzie and went on to become an All-American selection in college while playing catcher at Kentucky State University. After college, he played one year in the Detroit Tigers farm system in 1976, bouncing between three minor league teams that year.

After a baseball career didnt work out, Carter got a call from Ron Thompson, his old baseball and football coach at Mackenzie. Thompson (HOF class of 1995) had moved onto de Porres and was looking to add to his coaching staff.

I actually dont know how coach Thompson knew that I was back in the city but he gave me a call and asked me to come out and work with his quarterbacks. That led to working with defensive backs and it just continued to grow Theres not a better person to learn the game from than coach Thompson.

Thompson brought Carter on staff at de Porres in 1978 and went on to win eight state championships before Thompson passed away in 1994. After Thompsons death, Carter took over the head position and has held that position throughout his time at Inkster and Oak Park.

Now, Carter cannot imagine a life without coaching football.

I love to do it, Carter said. I love being around the teenagers. Growing up, I had some mentors around me that directed me and led me to the profession Im in today Theres not a better way to give back to the community than to help these kids.

At 65 years old, Carter is not ready to give retirement much thought -- a serious thought, that is.

Oh yeah, every time we lose a game, I think about retiring, Carter said with a laugh. I think its just going to happen when it happens. I still love being around the kids. If you feel that youre making a difference, and you have the health and the ability to continue As long as youre making a difference -- and hopefully, God willing, Ill continue to be healthy -- I dont know how long Im going to coach. I dont have a timeline right now.

The ceremony on March 7 begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The deadline to purchase tickets is Feb. 29. Contact Mr. Gandalf Church at 1-269-449-6553 or gchurch@sjschools.org to purchase tickets.

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Greg Carter had baseball on his mind before Hall of Fame football coaching career - MLive.com

Feb. 6, 2020, at 8:00 AM

This season has been trying for North Carolina head coach Roy Williams.

The North Carolina Tar Heels walked onto their home court as 8.5-point favorites against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for their first game of the 2020 calendar year. With a victory, daggum coaching legend Roy Williams could have passed his former mentor and the namesake of North Carolinas home court on the all-time wins leaderboard.

Instead, the Tar Heels responded to the occasion by making history of a different sort: entering the locker room with the most lopsided halftime deficit since the Dean E. Smith Center opened in 1986.

I apologize to all the North Carolina fans that care about our basketball program, Williams said afterward, later disclosing that he was the most disappointed, most upset Ive ever been in my life coaching.

Williamss Southern drawl soundbites havent gotten any cheerier. In the last month, he has dubbed his team the least gifted hes ever coached and intimated that the universitys athletic director should fire him, even though hes under contract through 2028.

Even the most revered coaches and storied programs go through lean years, but Williams and North Carolina have largely avoided them. Only three coaches in Division I history have more wins than Williams, whose career win percentage exceeds 78. And despite having coached college basketball in some capacity for more than 40 years, Williams has never led a team to a losing record.

Chapel Hills basketball factory is one of the most widely recognized brands in college athletics. As recently as April, its valuation was north of $145 million. This is, of course, a campus where 51 first-round draft picks, including Michael Jeffrey Jordan, cut their teeth.

Carolina entered the season ranked in the top 10. It won basketball Twitter on opening night when star freshman Cole Anthony went for 34 points in a conference win while rocking some show-stopping prescription goggles. But then, seemingly overnight, a school that has played for two of the past four national championships and reached at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the last nine seasons fell apart, experiencing one of its worst seasons of the modern era. With a record of 10-12, UNC stands to post just the 11th losing campaign in the 110-season history of Tar Heel basketball and the third since the early 1960s.

Despite starting the season 5-0, North Carolinas offense was held to under 80 points in each of its first 10 games for the first time since 1949. Over an 11-day span, the Tar Heels suffered the most lopsided home loss of Williamss tenure and lost to Wofford. Last month, it dropped home tilts against Pittsburgh and Clemson, the latter of which had never beaten UNC in Chapel Hill. En route to a Sweet 16 appearance last season, UNC went 16-2 in conference play and earned a share of the regular-season ACC title. This season, the Tar Heels set a program record by dropping six consecutive games in conference play.

A head coach can typically point to a specific area or two holding his team back. There are perhaps too many for Williams to count.

I dont think you get to know the identity of your team until you start playing games and having some adversity, Williams said during preseason media day. I think it will be a running team and I think it will be a good defensive team. A few months later, Williams has a team thats his slowest in four years by adjusted tempo, and one thats tracking to be the worst offense and defense hes ever coached.

Traditionally, offense hasnt been hard to come by for Williams, whose teams nearly always ransack the glass. That style hasnt changed this season, as the team ranks No. 21 in offensive rebounding percentage, but while the team finished each of the past five seasons ranked in the top 11 of KenPoms adjusted offensive efficiency metric, this season it ranks 128th.

Perhaps thats because Williams is watching his team build a house of bricks nearly every night. Compared with other Williams-led offenses, this one is on pace to set new lows in 2-point field-goal percentage, 3-point field-goal percentage and effective field-goal percentage.

Some of the Tar Heels troubles can be explained by roster turnover. UNC lost four starters and its top five scorers from last season, three of whom were first-round selections in the NBA draft. Teams with more continuity typically perform better than those without. UNC ranks 325th in minutes continuity, according to KenPom.com, with the second-lowest share of returning minutes of any major-conference team.

Some of this seasons woes can also be explained by injury. Anthony was the top point-guard recruit in his class and is among the highest-ranked prospects ever brought to campus by Williams. So it should be noted that the Tar Heels best and most important player has appeared in only 11 games this season because of a knee injury that required surgery. Anthony isnt the only injured player Williams has had to replace; hes started 10 different players.

But the team hasnt been terribly good offensively even when Anthony has been on the floor. The Tar Heels score more points per possession (0.96 compared to 0.93) and shoot a higher effective field-goal percentage (46.1 compared to 44.9) when Anthony leaves the court, according to Hoop-Lens.com. (It should be noted that they are far better defensively when Anthony plays.)

Whether fans pin it on player development or the teams relatively poor performance on the recruiting trail in 2017 and 2018, things dont look to get much better the rest of the season. North Carolina is favored in only three of its final nine games with the first of two matchups with No. 7 Duke coming this Saturday and Bart Torvik gives the Tar Heels just a 0.4 percent shot of reaching the NCAA Tournament, something UNC has accomplished in 15 of the 16 seasons Williams has been at the helm.

While watching Carolina basketball this season has been a miserable exercise, fans of the nations oldest public university can find optimism in the future. UNC is about to bring in its first top-five recruiting class since 2012, which includes three top-25 prospects and four players invited to the McDonalds All-American Game.

Recruiting is like farming, Williams said after last years class was announced. You work all year, and you have no idea what its going to be like until the crops come in. You just work all year and see what happens.

But nobody anticipated famine in Chapel Hill, or that one of college basketballs blue bloods, the program with the most all-time Final Four appearances, would look so ordinary in a season thats arguably more open than most in recent memory. In Chapel Hill, they hang banners. But this season, it sure feels like the Tar Heels ceiling is well short of the roof.

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North Carolina Mens Basketball Is Off The Rails - FiveThirtyEight