I teach people how to meditate. Whatever the need of the moment is I seem to find myself also doing that. When you need your business to run efficiently, I’m an engineer. When you need a beautiful photograph, I’m a photographer. When you need a fresh cut, I’m a barber. When you need a healthy meal, I’m a Sattvic chef. I enjoy making life better and helping people feel good. 

What’s your historical San Francisco and New York connection?
My parents raised me in Marin on the other side of the Golden Gate. When I studied engineering at LMU in LA, I’d regularly visit friends in New York. After graduating, on a whim I bought a one-way ticket to NYC with no plan in mind or any idea if I’d stay. Five years later, it turns out to be the best decision I ever made. I learned to meditate a week after arriving and it transformed my life. Now I’m showing people how to enhance their lives with meditation. I frequent SF to visit family and I’ll be teaching Vedic Meditation there quite often.

Describe your experience in SF and your experience in NYC.
In SF, I spend time with my parents and sisters. The dogs run the house. They pretty much dictate if we’re going to the beach, hiking up Mt. Tam or watching HBO. Our pug Bailey has an affinity for Kalisi on Game of Thrones.

My experience in New York is almost indescribable. This city is constantly surprising me and revolutionizing the way I see the world. The best part of New York are the people. There is always someone new and exciting to connect with. And I love my friends. Most of them are from outer space.

What was the biggest challenge of moving from NYC to SF?
Having the guts to let it all go and trust the Universe. Not knowing what’s next turns out to be the best place to be. The unknown is where the new, the fresh and best of everything manifests.

How can NYC and SF best engage with each other?
NYC and SF have a pretty solid relationship and share a lot in common. From innovative technology to urban agriculture, they’re both actively revolutionizing the way we live and interact with the world. It would be great to see this partnership propagate and spread beyond our bicoastal bubble, especially to resolve our country’s farming and health crisis.

Favorite SF secret spot
Exploring Sutro Baths at night. Some stars, waves and a little mystery can go far.

Favorite NYC secret spot
Hope 66 Cafe in Brooklyn has the best coffee. The owners, Frankie and Lee, are the sweetest couple. Lee’s muesli is fantastic.

If you were not teaching people how to meditate, what would you be doing?
Having a dance party on my roof.

Roadtrip Entertainment: tell us what song/album, TV show, podcast, or web videos you’ve been watching lately.

Mac Demarco’s ‘Salad Days’ is great dinner making music. He makes the food taste better.

From the 2905 Miles newsletter: connecting NEW YORK CITY + SAN FRANCISCO