European Roots

My roots are in Central/Eastern Europe, in a country that used to be called Czechoslovakia. This country has given the world many inventions and discoveries, such as the knowledge of blood groups, contact lenses, the word robot, polarography, lithography, and compressed air pump.

I am a true Czechoslovakian (-Canadian) though, as my parents hail from both parts of the now-severed land.

The Reality of Communism

Growing up in a Communist country was a bleak and bizarre experience. Although it was a long time ago, the memories are still vivid; it’s my frame of reference that has helped shape who I am today. This is also why I can see through the rebranded version of Communism and wish others could, too.

The Soviet Union was touted as the most advanced country in the world, yet its citizens bought as many pairs of shoes as they could fit into their suitcases and ate as much deli food as they could when visiting my country. They couldn’t find these easily in their “prosperous” homeland.

America was marketed as evil, yet my country was well known for supplying highly effective explosives to countries with state-sponsored terrorism.

Television programming was boring, delivering indoctrination and disinformation, which I could sense already as a young child. Otherwise, I can’t explain why I remember myself standing in front of the TV, sticking out my tongue at it and meaning it :).

Later on, it became apparent that there was some truth behind many lies…

Fortunately, many talented people, especially in performing arts, had an extraordinary talent for redirecting their fellow countrymen’s hearts and minds from the all-pervading, soul-destroying ideology, fear, and control towards goodness, hope, and beauty. Thus I experienced firsthand how good, noble people will find ways to innovate within an oppressive system, while love-deprived, self-centred, vindictive and absolute power-seeking individuals will corrupt a good system without even trying hard.

As a child, I could smell the double standard in the air and asked many questions. My parents would feed me bits and pieces of the truth, which always ended with, ”You mustn’t share this with anyone, or someone will report it to the authorities and we’ll get arrested and you won’t be able to go to university!”.

This happened to a relative of mine, who was barred from higher education and only allowed to attend a trade school due to her father being an ethnic German in a post-World War II world. Ironically, her father had worked with the Allies during the war to help liberate his country, for which he was later rewarded with surveillance and harassment by the Communist secret service. This caused his premature death.

In School

That’s why, when we were given an ungraded test in the second grade with questions such as “Do you believe that Baby Jesus (the Czechoslovakian Santa Claus) brings presents to little kids?” and “Do you go to church?” I knew to respond with a “no” to both of them. In my mind, I had to shift between the world of facts and the world of fiction countless times a day.

My mom found out about a special English language program being piloted in my hometown, starting with the 3^rd grade, and got me in at the last minute. I was fortunate to be admitted to this program, as Russian was the only foreign language taught, starting with the 5^th grade. 

In Prague

I chose to continue my studies of English in Central Europe’s oldest university, located in the magical Prague.

My campus was no ordinary place. Located in Prague’s Old Town, depending on the classroom, you could see right into the Old Jewish Cemetery, founded in the 15^th century, or have the classical music concert hall Rudolfinum, built in the 19^th century, present itself in its splendour and glory, or the Vltava River, which inspired the eponymous Moldau composition by the Czech Romantic composer Bedrich Smetana, or the famed Prague Castle.

The campus entrance was adorned with a plaque of a former student, Jan Palach, who in 1969 set himself on fire in protest of the demoralization of his fellow countrymen that he observed following the Soviet Union-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. A few days after he succumbed to his injuries.

After a job with an American weekly as a student, followed by three years with the national news agency, I felt I wasn’t growing anymore. The beauty, charm and coziness of Prague were waning. My inner voice kept whispering it was time to move on. Enriched with the knowledge of the inner workings of the news media, I was ready to be transplanted to Canada.

In Canada

The beautiful country of polite people, hockey, long winters, maple syrup and majestic nature turned out to be a plunge into frigid waters. I felt like I’d landed at the bottom of society due to the lack of “Canadian experience”. I applied for hundreds and hundreds of jobs that I later realized were a poor fit. A former boss commented that I come across as a university professor and should consider academia, but I had an inexplicable aversion to teaching.

For what felt like an eternity, I would leave the house before 6 am and return after midnight, having spent 6-7 hours on Toronto as well as regional public transit systems, commuting to various part-time job sites.

Life improved after I entered the field of project management—better opportunities opened up, and I felt myself growing and prospering again. However, my inner voice was relentless in guiding me towards the next destination. As soon as I became comfortable in a new role, it would come knocking again, urging me to move on.

I would protest, “I just started here; I want to get better at what I do and get promoted!” But the Universe didn’t think that was a great idea, and I soon found myself out of my comfort zone, in search of the next level of challenge.

I didn’t see it back then but can see now that there was a master plan put into place for me, and all I needed to do was to surrender and go with the flow. This was no easy feat!

In Academia

By 2015, my aversion to academia had lost hold of me, and I opened up to new possibilities that quickly manifested in the form of projects with three enlightened deans and two chairs. I was able to digest 100+ page-long proposals for programs in fields in which I had no prior experience, and discover inconsistencies that had eluded subject matter experts.

Then came opportunities to manage academic program development at one of the largest polytechnic colleges in Canada. I cherished every moment of the journey. The pursuit of true knowledge, the passion for research and learning, and the diverse experiences and interests I embraced all came together in a rewarding way that enabled me to make a meaningful impact.

In 2017, I started teaching in college and later in university. I’ve been blessed with supportive, kind and gifted academic administrators and colleagues. Having a supportive team makes all the difference!

I am eternally grateful to my family and mentors who, through their example and a relentless demand for high standards, have helped me become a better, wiser and heart-centred Professor. And I am moved to tears when my students thank me for the same.

Career Coaching

My deepest fulfillment comes from witnessing your own profound sense of joy. When you’re inspired by the ultimate expressions of beauty, goodness, and truth, and you channel that inspiration into creating something that brings joy to others, it brings me immense happiness. I am truly grateful for every chance I have to support you on this journey.