Happily married with three daughters, I am a prior-enlisted infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps with more than two decades of distinguished military service. I currently serve in Norway as a Subject-Matter Expert/Advisor to all NATO Command Structure headquarters, where I also coach and facilitate top, multinational executives and their teams in operational planning and decision-making workshops. As a developmental psychologist, I have designed and led both adult and youth mentoring and development programs in my church and community.

The name “Foundational Coaching” comes from years spent working construction with my best friend, coach, and dad, Joe Marano. The holistic applications of having a firm foundation are seemingly endless. The FC story is best shared via the following interview I submitted to College of Executive Coaching (CEC) during my journey of becoming a formally credentialed personal and executive coach.

How did you move into the coaching field? What was the stimulus?
My journey into coaching was deeply rooted in both personal and professional experiences. With over two decades of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, I found myself seeking a new way to channel my passion for leadership and development alongside my military career. The stimulus was multifaceted, stemming from a desire to use my own growth through personal losses, including several close friends in combat and my father’s suicide, and a professional calling to empower others. My formal education in psychology and the hands-on experience of leading and mentoring in high-stress environments—from combat operations to executive-level advising—provided a solid foundation. These experiences collectively inspired me to become a coach, focusing on helping others discover and maximize their potential.

What excites you about coaching?
The most exhilarating aspect of coaching is witnessing the transformative journey of my clients. There’s something profoundly satisfying about seeing someone overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. The process is inherently creative and collaborative, allowing both the coach and the client to grow. This dynamic interaction keeps me motivated and excited about every session.

What is your style of coaching?
My coaching style I use at my self-made practice, Foundational Coaching, is deeply rooted in a holistic and values-based approach. I partner with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. This ongoing relationship focuses on the client acting toward the realization of their vision, goals, or desires. My style emphasizes inquiry and personal discovery to build the client’s level of awareness and responsibility. I provide clients with structure, support, and feedback throughout this journey. The coaching process is holistic, addressing the mind, body, and spirit, and is action-oriented to ensure that clients not only set goals but also achieve them. Through the integration of diverse psychological and developmental theories, I establish a versatile and adaptable coaching framework. Additionally, I merge evidence-based methodologies with spiritual insights, utilizing principles from social psychology, adult learning, philosophy, and scripture for transformative coaching. This approach ensures that the coaching process is comprehensive and tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

Who do you most enjoy working with?
I enjoy working with a diverse range of clients—from seasoned executives to aspiring youth. Each group brings unique challenges and perspectives that enrich the coaching experience. However, I have a special affinity for working with individuals who are at a pivotal point in their lives, seeking significant personal or professional transformation. These clients are often highly motivated and open to the introspective work necessary for meaningful change.

What is the value that you find coaching brings to people?
Coaching brings immense value by unlocking a person’s potential and facilitating their growth. It provides a structured yet supportive space for individuals to explore their goals, identify obstacles, and develop actionable strategies. The process of inquiry and personal discovery helps clients build self-awareness and responsibility, leading to sustained improvements in their personal and professional lives. The impact of coaching is profound, often resulting in enhanced performance, greater fulfillment, and a clearer vision of one’s future.

What is your philosophy about coaching?
The vision of my coaching practice, Foundational Coaching, is “Your champion for discovering potential to build and restore peak performance in the mind, body, and spirit for you and your team!” My approach is anchored in the guiding principles of humility, identity, resilience, and teamwork (HIRT); I live by the mantra of “Victory Through HIRT!” I believe effective coaching requires a humble posture, recognizing that both coach and client are perpetual learners. Understanding one’s identity is crucial for personal growth and aligning actions with core values. Resilience is essential to navigate challenges, and teamwork fosters collaboration and mutual support. Additionally, my strategic goals include integrating diverse psychological and developmental theories, merging evidence-based methodologies with spiritual insights, emphasizing accountability and integrity, embracing diverse cultural and organizational contexts, and applying established learning and development theories. This holistic and multidisciplinary approach sets my coaching apart and ensures comprehensive support for my clients. I am all about empowering culture, engaging curiosity, and energizing creativity in others!

What is next for you and coaching?
Looking ahead, I aim to expand my coaching practice by incorporating more advanced assessments and personalized development plans. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which will further deepen my expertise and enable me to offer more specialized services. Additionally, I plan to publish my insights and methodologies to reach a broader audience and contribute to the fields of coaching and psychology.

What is unique about your coaching approach?
What truly sets my coaching apart is my ability, as a Christian, to offer a bilingual coaching model that caters to both faith-based and non-faith-based clients. This unique talent allows me to effectively understand and communicate with both audiences, ensuring that each client’s specific needs and values are met. By integrating diverse psychological and developmental theories with spiritual insights, I provide a comprehensive and adaptable coaching experience that resonates deeply with a wide range of clients across vast demographics.

How did you move into this field?
My transition into the coaching field was a natural progression alongside my military career. As an officer, I have been deeply involved in mentoring and developing my team, which sparked my interest in personal and professional development. Several years after earning my Master of Arts in Applied Psychology: Developmental Psychology, I felt inspired to formalize my coaching skills by completing the College of Executive Coaching’s 44-hour intensive program and continuing with their follow-on 128-hour Advanced Certified Personal & Executive Coach (ACPEC) certification program. My patience and curiosity as a father to help facilitate new learning, the blend of my practical leadership experience, and my academic background in psychology have all equipped me with the tools I needed to become an effective coach.