Channel 1
What does "Channel 1" stand for?
"Channel 1" is a term my partner Stefan Hellström has used in his dog courses, and it just stuck with me. It became the motto for everything we do at our farm.
To be "on Channel 1" means to be tuned into the frequency of CLARITY and CONNECTION. Dog and owner are on the same wavelength and this lays the foundation for successful cooperation.
The problem, though, is that before we can send on Channel 1, we need to tune into it ourselves first. We need to check in with our thinking, feeling, sensing, relating selves and sort ourselves out so there is clarity within us and not a ton of noise!
"Channel 1" is about connection, intent, commitment and practice
At Channel 1, we put our research, practice and projects in service of connection to self, others and the natural world. The connection to our physicality and felt sense of aliveness helps us tune into what we actually care about.
When we know what we truly care about, we become empowered to make a declaration: to become who we need to become to fulfill on what we care about. This declaration then guides what we practice.
What we practice, we become.
What has led me here?
I'm curious, I like learning, I like to help people (and animals ;)) and I love to move. I can't see the world through one lens only, and trying to figure out how things connect has always been one of my main drivers.
As a game designer (and Professor), I design systems. I have a keen sense for how system elements hang together (and the rules that govern those interactions) and what they produce as system outcomes. That's a very useful lens to bring to coaching. E.g. I might ask you "what game are you currently be winning at?" We always win at something - it may just not be what we want to be winning at...
For the last 17 years, I've explored the connection between physical and intangible experiences, mostly because my research was around how we can make games about the human experience. Emotions, for example, are intangible. We cannot touch them directly. To describe and understand intangible experiences, we use metaphors. Metaphors make abstract things concrete by grounding them in something physical. Metaphors shape our mind and create our reality. That's cool, because it's a two-way street. New, physical practices impact our mind and can change our inner metaphors!
MOVEMENT = METAPHOR
I had a solid Yoga practice for a while, and made a game for Xbox Kinect called "Zombie Yoga", where you do Yoga poses to fight Zombies that are metaphorical representations of Inner Fears. Yes, I know, right??
I started running to move myself out of depression when i was a post doc at MIT (it actually worked, lucky me!). Eight years ago, when I felt out of control and frustrated because the University Gods were debating about my fate, I discovered CrossFit. It kicked my ass (and tore my hands), but it also gave me a sense of agency and something concrete to DO, while others figured out if they wanted me to step into a leadership position or not. When they finally asked me, I turned them down. I had a different path to walk. Never looked back. :)
Blast from (my game design) Past
After co-creating games with people (who often did not have any game or game design experience), I noticed the potential of game design as self-inquiry and a way to gain new perspective to intricate, systemic problems. Meeting someone where they are at by taking in their worldview without judgement is one of the pre-requisite for effective coaching.