About Russ and Maggie

Three Strikes and You're Out? Not This Guy!

Like just about everyone else on this planet, I am no stranger to some of life's harsh experiences. I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, declared personal bankruptcy, and went through an emotionally devastating divorce all within a period of six years.

Some days were so dark, all I wanted to do was die. The only problem was, I kept waking up again the next day. Ultimately I had a decision to make. I could continue to let life beat me down, or I could make lemonade out of the lemons I was given.

As a long-time student of personal development, I believed there were better possibilities for myself... much better possibilities! By choosing to make the best of my experiences, life soon began to improve beyond my wildest expectations.

To my doctors' amazement, my white blood cell count continues to improve - without treatment. I am remarried to Maggie, the woman of my dreams. And I am now embarking on a new career that is bringing me tremendous excitement and fulfillment.

The contrast between where I have been, where I am now, and the infinite possibilities for continued growth and development in the future has brought me a tremendous amount of wisdom and compassion for others. A natural teacher since my youth, I am now fully qualified and prepared to share what I have learned to help you feel good about yourself.

You ARE Good Enough

Brought up in the stringent and completely indifferent Hong Kong education system, my wife Maggie was labeled early as a slower learner. As such, she was put on a course that would give her a most basic education but with the least chance of advancement into a well-paying career.

This very basic education didn't teach her anything about finding the right life partner either. She certainly didn't recognize the signs of abuse that would characterize her first two relationships.

After moving to Canada, Maggie married a man she had met and dated back in Hong Kong. The couple eventually had a daughter. However, even before they were married, Maggie experienced several episodes of anger and control by her future husband. Like many victims of abuse, she thought it was her fault that her man was always upset. She vowed to try harder.

It wasn't long before Maggie realized that her competitive and controlling husband wasn't very supportive of her efforts to improve herself. In fact, it became apparent that he felt threatened that his wife might do better and advance beyond his own position. The abusive behavior that was already there before the marriage continued to escalate. After nine years, the marriage ended.

Maggie then found a younger partner and started a new relationship. In many ways, things were different and far more exciting than her first marriage. However, lightning struck again and Maggie found her new partner to be extremely jealous, mistrusting and controlling.

He demanded that Maggie give him a child. With a young daughter already, Maggie was unwilling to have any more children. Reluctantly she consented, thinking that the child would make her man happy.

A second daughter was born but it didn't change things as far as the relationship was concerned. The cycle of abuse she experienced in her first marriage came back even stronger in this second relationship which sputtered off and on until it finally ended after only three years.

That's when I came on the scene. From the moment we met, I knew that Maggie was an exceptional woman with tremendous gifts. I became the first person in her life to truly encourage her to develop herself.

At first, Maggie thought I was only saying those nice things because our relationship was new. "Guys are always nice until they get what they want," she thought. However, she started noticing other people at her work telling her the same things. New seeds of belief began to sprout. Within three years, she advanced herself from a little-respected receptionist to a highly valued member of the administration team.

Today Maggie is working towards fulfilling her life's ambition to become a career counselor. Unsurprisingly, she is also an advocate for woman's issues and has recently appeared in local newspapers and on TV speaking out for F.L.E.W. (Family Law Education for Women). Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

Unbeatable Team - We're Here for You

As you can see, together Maggie and I have a wealth of experience and a depth of compassion to share with you. The secret to our own success is the open and honest communication we practice with each other every day. We respectfully treat each other as equals and consult on all decisions, big and small.

Maggie and I believe that everyone deserves to be happy. It is our hope that by sharing our experiences and wisdom, you will be inspired and motivated to find your own happiness, too.

To be happy is what it's all about. Maggie and I are going to help you to Love That Feeling!