The Kid

From a young age, the outdoors captured my heart and imagination. My mother instilled in me a deep, abiding love for nature that would ultimately shape the course of my life and career.

This passage traces my journey - from honing my skills at university and abroad to embarking on a rewarding career that has culminated in the founding of my outdoor company, Asobi Master, here in the wild landscapes of Hokkaido, Japan. Join me as I share the story of how a boy who was constantly lured outdoors has grown into an outdoor professional, educator, entrepreneur, guide, and instructor, dedicated to sharing the joys of adventure and nature with curious adventurers from around the world. Click here if you’d like to see more detailed qualifications.

I was the kid my mother had to call in from playing outside, even in the coldest winters. But she instilled in me a deep love for the outdoors - from camping trips in the Midwest to remote fishing in Canada. Sundays were often spent flying over Illinois farmlands with my father.

By 15, I was leading summer wilderness canoe trips in Minnesota's North Woods. My annual trips to Colorado also sparked my passion for snowboarding and mountain culture. These formative experiences led me to dedicate my career to outdoor recreation, adventure travel, and wilderness education.

Leisure Studies

An interest in rock climbing took hold during college. I worked at ski lodges and wilderness programs, earning my Wilderness Education Association instructor certification in 2002. I then pursued a master's in Leisure Studies, which brought me to Japan for a summer camp program. Experiences like teaching in Korea and SCUBA diving in Southeast Asia further fueled my passion for the outdoors, shaping my path to founding Asobi Master.

The Fun Boss

Finally in 2006, I began working with US Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation onboard the USS ESSEX (LHD 2), traveling everywhere the battle group went. I was known onboard as the "Fun Boss" - I ran the recreation programs while we were underway, as well as the foreign port tours, sports activities, and accommodation sales for a ship of around 3,000 personnel. As a civilian, I've spent more than 800 days at sea, which allowed me to visit some incredible places like Korea, the Philippines, Guam, Thailand, Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, China, and Macau. It was an amazing experience to see so much of the world from the unique vantage point of a naval vessel. Those years in the Navy really expanded my horizons and deepened my passion for outdoor recreation, adventure, and global travel.

Recreation Specialist

In 2010, I was back on land and took on a new role running programs for the Navy's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) department in Aomori Prefecture. In this position, I was able to take thousands of Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and their families on incredible adventures throughout the Tohoku region, including trips to very rural off-the-beaten-track places.

It was during this time that I got my first real taste of backcountry snowboarding, exploring the famous Mt. Hakkoda Range. Aomori's summers were spent kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the stunning Lake Towada National Park and along the rugged coastlines. Leading these groups provided ample opportunities to hone my skills as an adventure travel guide and outdoor activity instructor. I loved being able to introduce so many people to the beauty and wonder of Tohoku's natural landscapes and seeing their faces light up as they tried new activities or discovered hidden gems.

Asobi Master

After an epic #vanlife adventure traveling the whole of Japan with my wife Mari and dog Sami during the summer and fall of 2022, it was time to settle down and get back to work. As a newly landed resident of Hokkaido, I was thrilled to realize my dream of living and working in the wilds of the northernmost island.

This is where I founded Asobi Master, my outdoor adventure and guiding company. I've been on a mission to spread my message for people to "play every day" - something that I truly believe anyone and everyone can and should do. Whether it's exploring the stunning landscapes of Hokkaido, mastering exciting outdoor sports, or simply reconnecting with nature, I want to inspire others to embrace their inner adventurer or child.

With Asobi Master, I'm living my passion and sharing it with curious travelers from around the world. We offer everything from guided tours and outdoor instruction to branded gear and apparel. My goal is to help people discover the transformative power of play and the beauty of the great outdoors, right here in Japan's wild north. Let's get out there, get a little dirty, and find the joy in simply playing every day. I can't wait to show you the wonders of Hokkaido.

Serious WORK of PLAY&Standards

You know, it may seem like all fun and games, but embodying professional standards is serious business in an industry focused on providing outlets for play. That's why I'm so excited about the next stage of Asobi Master's journey.

As a newly minted resident of Hokkaido, I'm on a mission to bring international standards and best practices to this incredible region through various certifying agencies. I'll be wearing a lot of hats - instructor, instructor trainer, certified outdoor educator, and more. My goal is to elevate the quality of outdoor education and adventure experiences here, all while staying true to the spirit of "play every day" that lies at the heart of the Asobi Master brand.

I'm talking about programs and certifications from organizations like the American Canoe Association, Wilderness Education Association, Wilderness Medical Associates, and more. This isn't just about me adding feathers to my cap - it's about ensuring that every person who embarks on an Asobi Master adventure gets top-notch instruction and the highest level of safety.

At the end of the day, my job is to make it easy for people to get out there, get a little wild, and reconnect with the joy of simply playing. But I can only do that if I've got the right training, the right certifications, and the right systems in place. That's where this next chapter of Asobi Master comes in.

So get ready, because the fun is just getting started! I can't wait to share all the exciting new developments happening here in Hokkaido. It's going to be an adventure unlike any other.