Introduction
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My career has had many turns, some good and some unexpected. I have had a full career: served as an electronics technician in the military, worked over 28 years as a Senior IT Technician in three US Federal agencies, managed a small business that served microbusinesses world-wide, and worked with at-risk children and adults with mental challenges and some with autism.
Current Work: Writer & Life Coach
I am now in a new phase of my career as a writer and life coach. I have an interest in egalitarianism and how it can be employed in daily life: relationships and our routines. I plan to publish my fantasy fiction stories that explore dimensions of equity. Perhaps I will publish articles discussing my examination of microbusinesses. I am also working on my certifications for a life and health coach. I have a large amount of personal experience. Currently, I am beating down my diabetes through a modified keto diet, Intermittent Fasting, and exercise. I have lost 65 lbs (30kg), virtually eliminated my insulin and reduced my other meds, lowered my blood pressure, and developed several strategies that have virtually eliminated anxiety attacks that have plagued me for most of my adult life. Helping others overcome challenges to reach their goals as a life or health coach will be rewarding.
2012 - 2020
For the past 10 years, I divided my time between consulting services to microbusinesses and working on various individual improvement projects. Much of my work is as a volunteer and sometimes with compensation as a nanny, tutor, companion, and mentor. I provide date-night and overnight care! I work with agencies and independently to assist my clients to deal with a variety of issues including homelessness, mental illness, mobility challenges, confidence, and executive function challenges. I have experience working with non-verbal and self-injurious children and adults dealing with stress and depression.
Beliefs
I believe in fact-based health care. I believe that many of today’s doctors are lazy and simply technicians who blindly follow practices that limit their liability or line their pockets. I believe strongly in behavioral approaches that involve developing emotional connections between “caregiver” and “care receiver”. These type of connections are best created when there is a peer-based relationship. Therefore, I strongly support experiential peer-based approaches where there is no delineation between support and patient therapy. Despite my acceptance of peer-based approaches, I believe strongly in the appropriate but limited use of medication and therapy, application of journaling and reflective practices, and physical work/conditioning. I also believe in the healing use of food by eating “real” food.
Accomplishments
My major career accomplishments include a statistical methodology to determine markers of activity (CronoBiology Today publication), an approach for marketing to a sector of small business, microbusiness, and various projects that dramatically affected the efficiency and efficacy of my organization’s main-line of work: Orange Book (FDA); document publishing (FLRA); and implementing an agency ticketing system (FLRA). I have always focused on projects that, when simplified, provided profound business advantages. I have based much of my work on an idea I had when I was 19; I called it McDonalization. Yes, named after the world-famous burger manufacturer. I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of small microbusiness organizations. I provided the organizations that worked with me business process improvement and flexible Project Management that mirror Agile concepts. Even if I never check one of the classic success boxes (money, prestige, etc.), I am so proud of this work!
Final Comments
I received my second COVID-19 vaccine in Feb 2021 and I have my booster shot, as well. I love cooking, music, meditation, and physical fitness. I will have been married for 40 years in August 2022. We have two sons and three grandchildren: Josue, Mia, and Ayara.
Please contact me if you are looking for assistance or would like to share an experience or you just want to say “hi”. Use my contact form. I look forward to hearing from you! – Jim Pestaner
