Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Dean Page is a certified life coach who is a two-time American Taekwondo Association World Champion, multiple-time “Top Ten Competitor”, and a three-time cancer survivor. After suffering the side effects of "chemo brain", which affected memory and the ability to learn, Dean determined that he would learn to learn again. He continued his education graduating with a GPA that resulted in invitations for membership in multiple collegiate honor societies. These unique experiences have given Dean both strong empathy for clients who are facing overwhelming challenges as well as the mindset of high-performance individuals who are not satisfied until they are the best. Dean collaboratively works with the clients to assist them in designing their own personalized game plan for getting perspective, reaching their goals, and changing their world.
What inspired you to become a life coach, and how has the journey been so far?
I initially tried life coaching as a favor for a friend who needed a certain number of coaching hours for his certification. What started as a favor for him turned into a favor for both of us. At the time, I was working full-time at a mortgage company. After an hour-long commute home, I would go downstairs to the unfinished basement and practice my Tae Kwon Do techniques to prepare for the upcoming world championships. Fast forward to when I had my own studio and the ability to train 4 to 6 hours a day for the tournament—I just wasn’t motivated.
During the life coaching session, we discussed my motivations and discovered that my personal drive was to inspire my children, who were also competing. By then, they had moved out of the house and started families of their own, and I no longer had that personal motivation. The life coach asked the perfect question: “Is there anyone else you could be an inspiration to?” I immediately thought back to a single mom who had approached me during a gym workout. She told me that watching me work toward my goals gave her hope that she might achieve hers someday. That conversation rekindled the missing inspirational fire in me, and a couple of years later, I won my second World Championship.
The key takeaway was that answering the life coach’s questions uncovered the real issue and the necessary steps to resolve it.
How do your personal experiences shape the way you work with clients?
My personal life coaching experience have a significant influence on my work. I firmly believe that life coaching is an excellent tool to help clients discover their “A-ha” moments. Additionally, because of the many personal challenges I have faced and overcome, I understand the importance of perspective.
One example I use is that most people think only of magnification when buying a telescope. However, what really matters is the telescope’s ability to detect angular resolution—its ability to distinguish small details of an object from another similar one. Without this clarity, magnification only enlarges distortions. For instance, on a highway at night, you might see what appears to be one headlight in the distance, but as it gets closer, you realize it’s actually two headlights. Similarly, perspective can help us see that what feels like one overwhelming obstacle may be several smaller, manageable pieces.
You focus on “rebuilding from the ruins.” Can you explain how this philosophy guides your coaching?
I have a deep compassion for those who have faced tremendous adversity and are rebuilding their lives. As a three-time cancer survivor, I’ve experienced this personally. One day at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, I came across a Greek exhibit with gardens, statues, and columns. It felt like Aristotle and his students might appear at any moment. While appreciating the beauty, I realized I had stopped truly experiencing life. My mindset had shifted to avoiding death rather than embracing life.
Looking at the ancient ruins of Greece, I saw parallels to my own adversities. It often felt like all that remained of my life were ruins. But history demonstrates the power of rebuilding from ruins. Crucially, rebuilding isn’t about using the same broken pieces; it’s about learning from them. For example, instead of carrying the baggage of a past relationship into a new one, learn and apply the lessons from the experience to build something better.
What are some of the biggest obstacles your clients face, and how do you help them overcome these?
Many people hesitate to admit they lack perspective on certain issues. When I taught Tae Kwon Do, adults often said they wanted to join but felt they needed to lose weight or get in shape first. I explained that joining the class would help them achieve those very goals; being part of the process is essential to reaching the destination. Similarly, with life coaching, my role is to help clients gain perspective on their struggles.
My expertise lies not in giving advice but in asking the right questions to help clients discover their own answers and action steps. It’s like the story of a highly paid designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox who was in a major slump. Despite his expertise in batting mechanics, something wasn’t working. He revisited an old batting coach, who identified a small but fundamental technique he’d stopped using. Shortly after, the hitter was back to hitting home runs. Life coaches aren’t critical of struggles; they’re supportive guides who help clients find the missing pieces.
Can you share a memorable moment when your coaching made a real difference in someone’s life?
Perspective is often key to finding creative solutions. One client, a musician, was struggling to choose the right producers and musicians for her demo CD. She described her songs as her children, saying it was like choosing how to dress them from a closet full of options. I reframed the question: “When you see your child (song), what is their personality like?” She gave detailed descriptions of each song’s nuances and character. I then asked, “Which producers and musicians best reflect those qualities?” By the end of the session, she had chosen her team and even texted her producer. Sometimes, a shift in perspective is all it takes.
What advice would you give to someone hesitant about starting life coaching?
When I taught Tae Kwon Do, adults often told me they wanted to join but felt they needed to get in shape first. Ironically, joining the school would help them get in shape while achieving other goals. Similarly, with life coaching, don’t worry about having all the answers. Instead, decide what you want to accomplish or address. Be prepared to take action steps based on your coaching sessions. If you’re not ready to take action and only want to talk about your problems, life coaching may not be right for you yet.
Remember, life coaching leads to discovery. Those discoveries can open doors to new answers and results.
What strategies do you use to stay inspired and effective in your role?
Knowing I make a difference in others’ lives is one of my key motivations. Helping someone gain a new perspective and achieve their goals often has a ripple effect, positively impacting their families and communities. For example, if a client overcomes fear and succeeds in a new job, it benefits not just them but their loved ones as well. My mission statement is: “To help people change their world, one step at a time, resulting in changing the world, one person at a time.” That mission fuels my dedication and inspiration.
Are there any exciting new projects or goals you’re currently working on?
I’m writing a book about pragmatic strategies that helped me during my battles with cancer and chemotherapy. This project stems from my desire to support others facing similar challenges. As a cancer survivor, I’ve naturally attracted people seeking advice. While not every strategy that worked for me will work for everyone, sharing these tools has already helped many, and they often encourage me to write about it.
Another exciting project is my training at the Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center in Concord, NH, one of the five schools participating in WWE’s prospect program. I’m in the “Manager program” and love it. The energy, dedication, and teamwork are inspiring. Interestingly, the “manager character” performance aspect is only about 20% of the role; the remaining 80% involves creative work, talent relations, and being a supportive presence. Once again, it’s about helping others achieve their dreams and turning aspirations into realities.
Thank you, Dean!
