I’m David Hooker, and I’ve spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest, growing up mainly in Eugene, Oregon. I’ve had my own share of hard years. I’ve dealt with ridicule, abuse, and torment from classmates, shipmates, customers, and even family. So when I say I understand what it’s like to feel misunderstood, I mean it. Those experiences didn’t just pass through me, they shaped how I listen to other people today.

I served four years aboard FBM submarines in the North Atlantic during the Cold War. Out there, in tight quarters far from home, cut off from everything familiar, I learned the real value of listening. I led Bible studies for my shipmates and became someone people turned to when they needed a friend or a bit of wisdom. Those years taught me that most people aren’t looking for answers right away. They’re looking for someone who will simply sit with them in it.

I call myself a gregarious introvert. I love being around people, but I recharge in solitude and silence. That balance shapes how I coach today. I stay present with you without pushing you toward anything before you’re ready. I’ve learned that the best conversations happen when someone feels safe enough to slow down and speak honestly, and that’s the space I try to create every time.