“Mystic”
In 2010, I was also deep in a personal life crisis – chronic health issues, a break-up, depression, insomnia – and I realized that the only thing that would save me would be a complete and total reset.
So, I walked away from my business and career, purchased a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia, and set forth on what became an epic, 15-month soul-searching and soul-cleansing backpacking walkabout. From horseback riding across the Mongolian Steppe and trekking in Nepal, to studying Reiki in India and Kung Fu in China – my adventure took me to 10 countries … all truly amazing … but it was only at the very end of that journey that my ‘mystic’ story really begins.
Basically, after I had finally cleared away the darkness, I had two, back-to-back mind-blowing encounters: a Balinese mystical healer with what appeared to be X-Men superpowers; and my girlfriend who, when we made love, spoke in tongues.
Ever since, I’ve been on a quest to discover real-life magic and … it worked. Clairvoyant visions; precognitive dreams; training with mystical healers; studying with “remote viewing” psychic spies from the military; gambling with psychics in Las Vegas; hosting “spoon bending” workshops (think: Uri Geller or that scene in The Matrix); esoteric meditations with an Enlightened Master in the Far East; interviewing hundreds of random people about their own ‘psychic’ experiences; deconstructing countless synchronicities in attempts to catch a glimpse of the Matrix; diving deep into the mysterious realms of ayahuasca; a friend who was cured of AIDS by meditating; and much, much more.
“Milkman”
For 25 years, I’ve dedicated my life to the development of the organic food, sustainable agriculture and environmental movements. In my “early” years, I helped launch Straus Family Creamery, the first organic dairy west of the Mississippi.
After that, I founded Straus Communications, one of the very first public relations agencies specializing in helping “mainstream” organics and sustainability, with 100+ clients – predominantly pioneers in their respective sectors – including Bon Appetit Management Company, Organic Bouquet, B Corporations and Safeway’s O Organics.
On the side, I created the nationally-syndicated Beyond Organic Radio Show, and served as Senior Editor for Green Traveler Guides, interviewing eco-pioneers in Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, Lebanon and beyond.
Currently, I co-manage (and live on) our family’s farmstead, Straus Home Ranch, in coastal West Marin. Separately, I’m working on developing the sustainable cannabis sector, primarily with the HerbaBuena and Hugo Straus brands.
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