In 2024 I created a self-development program called CodaKaizen. The program exists to help people develop their potential and live more meaningful lives. At the heart of the program is shift in perspective—a question reframed. Most people ask:

“What is the meaning of life?”

But maybe that’s not the best way to ask the question. A better way of phrasing it might be:

“Where is the meaning in life?”

That small change makes a big difference. It changes the question from being something philosophical into something personal and practical—something that can be discovered. It asks: Where are the places in my life where I feel a sense of purpose? I believe that for most people, the answer is found in responsibility.

If you have a 4-year-old daughter, you don’t wake up in the morning, throw your hands up in the air, and yell, “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?!” You get up, make her breakfast, take her to daycare, and go to work to support the two of you. Having those responsibilities gives you a sense of purpose. The responsibility of taking care of her IS what gives your life meaning.

Therein lies the mission of CodaKaizen—to help people live better lives by taking responsibility for themselves, and eventually for the people and world around them. This is where the Concentric Circle Theory of Improvement and The Four Journeys come into play:

The Concentric Circle Theory of Improvement (CCTI) comes from the idea that a meaningful life begins with first taking care of yourself, then gradually expanding outwards. It starts with getting your habits, mindset, health, and relationships in order. The more put together you are, the more capable you become of helping others. You’re like a light at the centre of the CCTI—the brighter you shine, the more light you will cast out into the world.

The Four Journeys are a set of stories that layer on top of the CCTI. The Four Journeys are:

• Hero’s Journey 1 – Taking Care of Yourself
• Hero’s Journey 2 – Taking Care of Others
• Mentor’s Journey 1 – Helping Others Take Care of Themselves
• Mentor’s Journey 2 – Helping Others Take Care of Others

Hero’s Journey 1 sits at the centre of the CCTI—learning to take care of yourself through habits, mindset, and personal stability. (CodaKaizen is designed to help people with this journey.) Hero’s Journey 2 expands into the next closest rings: taking care of your partner, family, and close relationships. In both Hero’s Journeys, you play the leading role in creating positive change. But because your time, energy, and attention are limited, making a broader impact requires a shift in approach—that’s where the Mentor’s Journeys begin.

Mentor’s Journey 1 is about sharing what you’ve learned—supporting others as they work through their own Hero’s Journeys. Mentor’s Journey 2 happens when the people you’ve helped begin helping others. It’s when your impact creates a rippling effect that reaches people you may never meet.

Together, the CCTI and the Four Journeys offer more than just a roadmap—they offer a story to live by. A way to find purpose through growth, and meaning through responsibility. That’s where the name CodaKaizen comes from.

The name itself is a pun which refers to the expression ‘begin with the end in mind’. The word Coda is a synonym for epilogue and represents the ending of a story. Kaizen is a Japanese word that means continuous improvement—the idea that small, consistent actions lead to long term improvement. By putting the words together, the name CodaKaizen encapsulates the idea of imagining how you want your life to turn out, then making small, manageable changes to make that vision a reality.

CodaKaizen is a program that builds on top of psychotherapy. It’s the system I wished I had in my late-twenties when I was ready to stop surviving and start building something meaningful.

When someone is struggling with their mental health or working through deep pain, psychotherapy is essential. But once you’ve regained stability, a new kind of challenge presents itself: How do you move forward with purpose? That’s where CodaKaizen fits in. 

Therapy stabilizes you. CodaKaizen elevates you.

This program is designed for people who feel the pull to become something more. To take responsibility for their lives, develop their potential, and slowly create a story they’re proud to call their own. Whether you’re just beginning to put yourself together or already in a place of growth, CodaKaizen offers a path forward—one step, one habit, one week at a time.