ABOUT ME

I am a US Army veteran and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom with over 15 years of service before I was medically retired in 2013. When I left the military I was broken - physically, mentally, and spiritually - and had been abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and physical pain. I eventually got sober in 2015 and started my healing journey. In 2016 I felt called to go to Grad School to earn my Masters of Social Work (MSW) because I wanted to help other veterans and be of service. I graduated with my MSW in 2019 and started working with veterans as a Social Worker in 2020.

By 2023, in the years since getting sober, I learned how to heal myself by doing recovery work, yoga, meditation, therapy, volunteering, and I explored many other modalities - I had come a long way - however, there were still some deeply unhealed parts of me that I didn’t know how to address. That all changed when I was invited by a fellow veteran to attend an MDMA ceremony. In that ceremony, I was able to make important connections to my childhood, decision to join the military, my deployment to Iraq, and my subsequent drug and alcohol abuse. I was able to see how interconnected these phases of my life were, and I was able to see that I was carrying pain, guilt, and shame that was not mine to carry. For the first time in my adult life, I was able to engage in true, deep self-forgiveness and empathy for the younger versions of myself - the versions that were doing their best with the tools they had at the time. I finally started to shed old stories about myself that were no longer true, or were never true to begin with. I started to see that my past was nothing more than a short chapter in a book that I get to write. So, I decided to start authoring my book a little differently.

Following that MDMA journey, I integrated my experience by coming up with a plan to take what I learned in my journey and I turned those insights into actionable steps. I began microdosing, making small, incremental changes to how I lived my life, and I began learning more about healing with entheogens. This led me to my first journey with psilocybin and eventually ayahuasca. After my second ayahuasca ceremony, I felt a powerful calling to learn more about these sacred medicines and how to help others heal and grow through the intentional, responsible use of entheogens. I enrolled in the Entheoguide Training Program at the Aluna Healing Center in Mendocino, CA and underwent their intensive 4-level training program, over the course of a year, where I spent countless hours learning how to curate safe and sacred ceremonies using entheogens. While completing that program, I also enrolled in another 5-month-long Integration Coaching Program through TAM Integration in order to learn how to safely and effectively create preparation and integration programs to fit the individual needs of my clients.

Today, I am proud to be a Sober Veteran, Social Worker, Integration Coach and Guide. I utilize my professional background and life experiences to bring a steady, focused, compassionate, and intentional approach to my work as a Guide and Coach. I understand the importance of safety and transparency, and I believe coaching is a collaborative partnership built on honesty and trust. My process begins by finding out where you are, where you want to go, and what’s been holding you back. We then work together to design a program of action that suits your needs and intended outcomes.

My Promise to YOU:

“I will be the solid, sturdy, grounded presence with the strength of Pittsburgh Steel and the gentle wisdom and care of an elephant elder. I will light the way with compassion, consistency, and stability as we walk through the darkness into the new and exciting light of a limitless future.”

-ST (Sean)

Decorative emblem of an ornate steel elephant with intricate patterns, red and turquoise gems, surrounded by a circular frame, with the text 'Steel Elephant Coaching and Integration' below.

Where did steel elephant come from?

First, you may notice that the “ST” in the word “STeel” is capitalized. No, that is not a typo. S.T. are my initials. Secondly, as a transplant to the city of Pittsburgh, also known at the Steel City, the steel industry was the backbone of my city’s earlier years and the steel produced in this city was shipped all over the world and played a heavy role in building this country. To me, steel signifies foundational strength, hard, blue-collar work and commitment - the same strength, hard work, and commitment I pledge to my clients. Lastly, the elephant. I’ve been drawn to the image and stories of the elephant as a mystical creature (although it’s very real) and the lore of the elephant, specifically the story of Ganesha in Hindu lore. In one of the most famous elephant myths, the Hindu god Shiva, returning home, was startled by a young boy barring his entrance. Not realizing it was his son, Shiva fought the boy and decapitated him. Shiva was quickly struck with remorse and sent his soldiers to fetch the head of the first living creature they encountered. They found an elephant, and Shiva attached its head to the boy, bringing him back to life. This boy became Ganesha, the revered Hindu god of wisdom, new beginnings, and the remover of obstacles.

As a coach and a guide, I embody the archetype of the Steel Elephant: foundational strength of Pittsburgh Steel, paired with the wisdom and compassion of the elephant in order to help you find your new beginning and guide you to the removal of the obstacles that are holding you back.

The original STeel Elephant was purchased in November of 2025 in San Francisco, CA, following Level III of my Entheoguide Training Program. I noticed him in a store and felt called to buy him. I keep him on my nightstand and altar to help me remove any obstacles that are in my way. On a journey in April 2026, I brought the STeel Elephant with me into ceremony and spent most of the time holding him and asking him for guidance and direction regarding my decision to become an Integration Coach and Guide. During that journey I felt the power and wisdom of the STeel Elephant come to life and I knew he would become my mascot and guiding light. Following that journey the STeel Elephant icon was born. Below is an image of the original STeel Elephant.

Two men with shaved heads and beards dressed in white clothing sit on cushions in a yurt, praying with hands pressed together and heads bowed. They sit on shaggy rugs with spiritual objects and candles placed on a mat between them.

I’d be honored to help you discover your new path. Schedule a Discovery Call by clicking the link below. Can’t wait to speak with you. 

WORK WITH ME

TESTIMONIALS

  • "sean's compassion, care, and attention to detail made all the difference to my healing and growth. so grateful for him.

    — A.S.

MY COACHING METHOD

  • Blurred silhouette of a person behind frosted glass with vertical striped texture

    Situation

    It all starts by understanding your current situation and the underlying circumstances.

  • Sequence of lunar phases, including new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent, against a black background.

    Outcome

    Next, we discover where you want to go, who you want to be, and what’s been stopping you from getting there.

  • Person jumping in the air at sunset with trees in the background and their reflection in water.

    Action

    The last step? We learn how to continually refine what we’ve learned and turn it into actionable steps. Instead of a last step, think of this as your new beginning.

QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR JUST WANT TO CHAT? BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION WITH ME.

FREE CONSULTATION
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