Now living in America, but with deep roots in South Africa, my life’s been an epic adventure across 79 countries, gathering experiences like souvenirs. From a humble start at a swap meet next to a cattle yard, my 40-year career has zigzagged through retail, travel, cruise lines, tour operations, vacation rentals, and real estate. I’ve worn many hats—from launching startups to navigating the C-suite in both private and public companies.
But how does that help you?
While I have walked in your exact shoes as you navigate midlife, I’ve tackled plenty of life’s curveballs myself. As an immigrant, a gay man who came out in my 40s, and a seasoned businessperson, I know a thing or two about embracing change. The challenges we face might be different, but they often rhyme, and I’m here to help you rewrite your story.
My spiritual journey is as eclectic as my career, with explorations ranging from Christianity to Eckankar and everything in between. I’ve faced bullying, found love, started a family, and embraced my LGBTQ+ identity—each experience adding to my emotional and cultural intelligence (EQ and CQ).
I’ve also delved deep into the mysteries of human nature, using tools like the Enneagram and the Human Design System to gain insights. With a lifetime of varied experiences under my belt, I’m uniquely equipped to be your go-to Intuitive Holistic Life Coach. Whatever you’re going through, there’s a good chance I’ve been there too, and together, we can navigate the path ahead with confidence and clarity.
At People to People, I had the incredible opportunity to oversee the operational side of the company, crafting educational travel experiences that took over 50,000 teenagers on summer adventures each year. We even hit a 72% Net Promoter Score during my time there—pretty awesome, right? After 20 years, when the People to People Ambassador Program wrapped up in 2016, I knew it was time for a new chapter.
That chapter led me to Stay Alfred, a fast-growing startup where I joined the C-suite and helped scale the company from a few units in a handful of cities to a whopping 3,000 apartments in 48 cities across the USA. When the pandemic threw us a curveball and the company had to close its doors, I decided it was time to follow a different dream—one I’d always been passionate about but never fully pursued.
So, I did something I swore I’d never do: I went back to school. Driven by my desire to become a Life Coach, I enrolled in Erickson Coaching International’s solution-focused program. After a year of intense learning and mentoring, I earned my coaching certificate and became an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coach. With a diploma in the Art & Science of Coaching ACTP program from Erickson and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential under my belt, I’m more than ready to support you on your journey.
What does this mean for you? Simply put—you’re in great hands. As a fully trained and certified coach, I’m here to provide the perfect balance of support and challenge, whether you’re facing an empty nest, considering a career change, or looking to reignite your passion for life. Whatever your goals are, I’ve got your back.
Oh, and by the way... I also happen to be an intuitive. This is great news for you because my intuition often leads me to ask the exact questions that help you uncover what’s really holding you back from becoming the amazing person you’re meant to be in this lifetime.
From a young age, I knew I had a little something extra—a keen sense of intuition. But like many kids, I was taught to hush those subtle inner signals and lean on logic instead. Even so, I couldn’t ignore the premonitions and the deep connections I felt with certain people in my life.
As a teenager, a series of unexplainable experiences only made me more curious about this mysterious gift.
Fast forward to adulthood, and my fascination with intuition led me to explore the world of psychics, intuitive practitioners, tarot readers, and fortune tellers. With every encounter, my interest and understanding grew deeper.
Then in 2004, I met an extraordinary intuitive who didn’t just sense my abilities—she outright affirmed them. A couple of years later, sessions with a shaman specializing in soul healing, past life regression, and intuitive guidance confirmed what I already knew: I had a gift, and it was time to start nurturing it.
But it wasn’t until 2022 that I truly embraced my intuition. That year, I crossed paths with Karen J Lewis, an intuitive practitioner and mentor who became my guide. Under her mentorship, I dedicated myself to honing my intuitive skills. Through this journey, I uncovered the power of my deep connection to spirit and discovered that I could provide profound and accurate tarot interpretations.
Now, I’m committed to using these intuitive abilities to help you find clarity, guidance, and empowerment on your own path.
Raef Baard
3303 East 12th Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99202, United States
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