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"All our knowledge has its foundations in the senses."
Leonardo da Vinci

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HomeWhy Kevin ► About Kevin
About Kevin

About Kevin

Ocean Surf

Kevin’s message is simple.

‘Creating Excellence starts Within’.

What is Excellence? Excellence is a powerful state of focused and balanced inner wellness, the Mind Body Soul connection, which then reflects outwards. Remember, organizations as well as individuals also have a body, mind and soul to them. When you are in this state you are potentially more energized to create impactful solutions and attract abundance. These solutions have dynamic effect on yourself and others around you, such as, family members, teams at work or in sport, plus organizations, clients and more.

Therefore, Lead from a place of Excellence, Now!  Consider this to be one of the relationships you wish to be with.

A Little about Kevin

I started my life in a small logging camp on the West Coast of Canada. My family later moved to Victoria where I began my schooling and training to ultimately become a Canadian Ice Dance Champion; skating coach; contemporary dancer; elite figure skating choreographer; director of large scale events (1988 Olympic Closing Ceremonies); inspirational and creativity coach; author; and more.

This led me to living, coaching and directing in such world metropoles as New York City, Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Melbourne as well as throughout Canada.

Aspiring 4 and 2 Excellence has been my inner strength and life focus.  I utilizes my athletic and performing arts history; interest in multiple philosophies, sports and arts; relationship coaching studies as well as other personal and executive coaching; and neuro-linguistic (NLP) tools to innovatively inspire my clients and audiences. 

I like to integrate a performer's unique flair, while offering a variety of interactive, mindful and experiential English-language workshops and retreats.

Learn more…

Aha’s Moments of Realization

Aha’s Moments of Realization

The inner magical energy that exists within and without a person or organization, if channeled mindfully, leads to awareness and discovery of ‘Aha’ Moments.  These, ‘Aha’s’, are like flashes of realization. The Pearl of knowledge sits behind deep behind the Aha awaiting your consciousness.  The Pearls in your life are within our own life’s stories no matter how positive or negative they may be.   The true ‘Aha’ learning is hidden behind your stories.  Once you distill your learning’s to a single word – presto, ‘Aha’ - that is where the powerful energy resides.

Once realized, now you can begin to use your ‘Aha’s’ or Pearls to assist you in creating well-formed strategies, tactics and solutions.  Therefore, leading towards personally and within organizations excellence.

CLIC – 2 - Excellence

Over the years of working in the creative milieu I have come to realize a process that I use with great success. It is a unique model to excellence (or getting to your destination) and it is called, CLIC = Connect. Listen. Inspire. Create.  In all situations in life there is a process to get to the your goal or objective.  CLIC is the process to result relationship tool you may want to embrace.

To reach a goal, objective or dream, you first want to realize what that is.  Once you determine the ‘Where you are going to’, then the real excitement and journey begins.  A process is then created to get to your destination.  The ‘How will you get there?’; ‘What many pathways will you take?’ are powerful questions you may ask to establish that journey. CLIC is a process to move you towards your destination.

What people say about Kevin…

‘I believe that you take ownership from experience.  You tell the truth and your teachings come from the heart.’
IM, Mellor Financial Inc., Vancouver, Canada

‘Unique. Fresh. A great listener! You bring a completely non-business perspective to a business environment.
Bill Baker, Chief Strategic Officer, Envisioning+Storytelling, Vancouver, Canada

‘You have a creative approach to tough challenges. You really get individuals working together as a team which is the bottom line when hiring a coach for teamwork.‘ 
Diogo Assis, Managing Director, TLC – Events in Portugal, Lisbon Portugal

Accomplishments

I have coached such elite athletes as Kurt Browning and Kristi Yamaguchi, produced and directed award-winning dance films, and directed large-scale productions such as the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies, 2001 IAAF World Athletic Championships Ceremonies and Holiday on Ice's "Xotika, Journey to the Heart". 

My daily thoughts and actions surround my belief in the knowledge reaped through the journey of life and the importance of process leading to powerful value based results.

I hold a B.Sc. degree in biology and a coaching diploma from Achievement Specialists, England.  I am a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) – ACC accreditation, a CTM Toastmaster, a writer, a master's swimmer and an avid yogi.

My most recent international workshops and speaking credits include the PECE-MPI conference in Monte Carlo, Davos, Copenhagen and the MPI-WEC Conference in Montreal; other conferences in Amman, Barcelona and Dubai, UAE; trade shows in Barcelona and Abu Dhabi; well-being and teambuilding workshops and coaching at the European Union; working with companies and associations on team building to determine their Values, Mission and Vision statements that have powerfully transform the way they do business; as well as writing the Well-Being package for the Individual at the EU Commission in Brussels.

Passions

I am passionate about many things in life one of them is the relationship one has to the Mind Body Soul connection and greatness of the human potential.  In his past-time I have an avid meditation practice; swim competitively in a the masters league; practice yoga; lift weights and cardio – such a riding my bike and walking; spend time with friends and family; engage and take care of my elderly mother; love to travel and explore; entranced by diversity and cultures; enjoy just sitting and watching the world play in front of me; love music that feeds my soul; love to smile and engage with others; and just breath the great blessed life I have while continuing to create more learning’s.

Future Intentions

  • To continue aligning my business of Zrii, my coaching and speaking with my family and friendship life
  • To travel more and grow from the experiences
  • To continue learning languages more proficiently
  • To kayak more often
  • To climb Mt. Kilamanjaro
  • To abundantly grow my finances so that I can create a foundation to assist those who wish to live and discover their true potential.
  • To volunteer more regularly.
  • To continue growing learning and connecting to source and to others.
 


Quote of the Week

The Mind

'One's own thought is one's world. What a person thinks is what he becomes - That is the eternal mystery.'  Maitri Upanishad

Aha Reflection

'Look within yourself, for all the answers lie within you'

I do not know the sayer of this quote even though I sense I have seen this in many places. It is also sitting as a plaque on a park bench on the English Bay Seawall facing the lovely ocean. Go find it and sit their and contemplate as you look out in the Bay.  HMMM.

The Prophet

'Madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,'  Albert Einstein
Do you do this?  Just think about it.  I can own up to the fact that I have come to realize I do sometimes.  Not to stop it and look for new opportunities out of the same old. :)))

'Work is Love made Visible', Kahil Gibran, The Prophet

I am just rereading this classic, The Prophet, how beautiful it is. A delightful look at the true essence of life.  


Announcements

New Blog Launch

www.ahamoments.us Blog Launch
I am excited to invite you all to engage and share at my NEW BLOG site - www.ahamoments.us. This is a space to share your Aha Moments in life and the great wisdom you have gained from them. Let's start an Aha Revolution.

www.ahamoments.us Blog Launch

I am excited to invite you all to engage and share at my NEW BLOG site - www.ahamoments.us. This is a space to share your Aha Moments in life and the great wisdom you have gained from them. ...

New Article

Lois Elfman of New York City has written an article about me for Ice Network. Here is the link:
Kevin Cottam featured in Ice News

Olympic Inspiration

Olympic Inspiration - click in the link below and you will be able to read one of the chapters of my book called, Legacy. It is one of the Pearls that I learned from my position as Director and Choreographer of the Closing Ceremonies of the 1988 Calgary Olympics. What a thrill - and this thrill is coming to Vancouver - watch out world!!!

Calgary Olympic Closing Ceremony Choreographer Kevin Cottam

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Bookstore

Mother's Pearls

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Zrii: Learn More

Zrii: Learn More

Upcoming Events

Tue Sep 07, 2010 @12:00PM - 01:30PM
Rotary Club of Vancouver Speech

Wed Sep 08, 2010 @07:00PM - 08:30PM
East West Bookstore Seattle, Washington

Thu Sep 30, 2010 @09:00AM - 05:00PM
Aha Yoga Workshop

Mon Oct 04, 2010
Holiday on Ice Rehearsals - Energia

Mon Oct 18, 2010
Energia Opening City

Tue Feb 22, 2011 @08:00AM - 09:00AM
RADIO INTERVIEW: 'Seeing Beyond; KEST AM 1450 - San Francisco

Schedule


Testimonials

‘It was a great experience working with you. I enjoy the show very much and love what you've done to show us new possibilities. Thank you!’
Hendrik Jan de Mari, CEO, Holiday on Ice

‘In the growing curve of a company there is the need to stop, reflect and answer to some basic questions like - what is your business all about, where are you going, what is the vision, how are you achieving your vision. Kevin is a great coach to help you on that process of redefining the basics and reshape the path for a solid growth of an institution.
We have been very successful integrating the team in redefining the essence of the company and Kevin brought that spirit to tlc. Definitely a must do to any organization.’
Diogo Assis, Managing Director, TLC – Events in Portugal

'Kevin is an original thinker, who engages, involves and inspires his audiences. He uses his unique experience to help his clients find their own new creative solutions.  He is stimulating and sincere in all his actions.'
Robin Lokerman, CEO - Institutional Division, MCI Group Singapore

‘You set a good example through your listening skills and you inspire others with to challenge their creative strengths.  I know these are some of the qualities which I see you bringing out in me.
You have many leadership skills which I'm sure allowed you to create 'Energia'.  Your concern for the 'well-being' of those who you teach and your ability to inspire people around you to be the best they can be are both credits to your "Unique Ability".’
Ian Mellor, CFP Senior Financial Planner, Assante Financial Management, Vancouver, Canada

‘He understood the project from the very beginning and gave me all the solutions the same days. Unique!‘  
Marcelo Molinari, Costa del Sol Convention Bureau, Malaga, Spain

‘It has been my experience that communication within a creative group of individuals can be a stressful, ego centered and emotionally draining event. Kevin has the ability to tame the frustrated ego and make every member of the team feel empowered to rise above personal limitations to a common goal.‘  
Simone Alexander, Choreographer, Denver, Colorado

‘Kevin gives total dedication to his projects ... he brings creative solutions to the table, sticks to a given timeline, is a perfectionist when it comes to execution and always provides a sense of calm to the team, so that they can achieve their potential.’
Bojan Tercon, Partner, Singapore Sing

‘Always pleasant to work with and remains calm when others don’t.
Deals with everyone on a personal level and encourages people to exceed their boundaries. The sky is the limit. Never settles for less, Demanding of himself and others, Sincere, Humane, Always helpful, Compliments hard work, Open to discussion, Gentle.’
Jayne Hamelink, Casting Director, Holiday on Ice, Holland

‘As a facilitator you strive to try on different techniques and are more than wiling to learn from others. You see partnership always as an opportunity, never as a competition. You almost never say no but rather remain open minded to techniques and approaches all the while bringing many other creative ideas. You like to start with the big picture in mind and that makes you stronger I think in the end, cause while you go deep, you never seem to lose the bigger picture.‘  
Janet Logan, Facilitator/Coach, Toronto, Canada

‘Professionalism. Your presentations combine business imperatives with life balance. Great creativity in the use of adult learning techniques (not a one way communication, interaction is always there).’
Didier Scalliet, MPI Europe, VP of Global Development, Luxembourg

‘I think the biggest thing about you is that you get people to see the opportunities and challenges in front of them in a different way. Your challenge to me to ‘walk through that door and step into that room’, has stuck with me. I visualize that and it has made my thoughts and ideas land much more effectively with me’.
Bill Baker, Chief Strategic Officer, Envisioning + Storytelling, Vancouver, Canada