Hi, I'm Naf.
I help business leaders create greater impact, heal relationships, and regain a sense of sanity in their lives without willpower, study or practice.
Let's ChatI work primarily with business leaders — C-suite executives, founders, and aspiring managers (and sometimes medical professionals and established artists) to amplify their impact, while drastically reducing the stress that can overwhelm otherwise productive lives and careers.
My clients are often:
- Filled with great ideas, but unable to find clarity and decisiveness in the moment.
- Overwhelmed by having to manage people and all of the other aspects of running a business.
- Dealing with a team that seems disengaged, unproductive, self-centered and self-protective.
- Unable to attract and retain top talent.
- Stressed by having to continually innovate and keep up with an ever-changing technology landscape, especially AI.
Further, they are often dealing with one or more health conditions, a lack of vitality, and many aches and pains. They often lack deeply connected relationships with their family, and want to regain that love.
I've been there, in the trenches of many high-pressure, technology-focused, business environments, thinking that if I could only make a good living (or find a loving partner, work fewer hours, travel more, etc.), then I would be happy and have peace of mind.
But I've come to see that it works the other way around — peace of mind is innate — always there — just waiting to be uncovered. And all results in business, health, and relationships come from being in a better state of mind!
Most of my clients have spent much of their lives chasing financial success (and sometimes finding it), yet still find themselves stuck in a maze of dissatisfaction.
I can help you out of that maze.
Case Studies
Contracting Business Owner
From "completely stuck" to fresh business ideas and a healed marriage.
The Situation
"Charlie" owned a contracting business that did light construction and home improvements. When he came to me, he told me, "My plane is stuck on the runway — not in the hangar, but certainly not taking off. I need to make a change fast!"
The Work
Over the next three days, we spent some time hiking and immersing ourselves in nature, having exquisite coffee and bonding over some interesting food experiences. We examined the inner workings of the human mind and I helped Charlie see the source of why he thought the way he did and why that held him back from seeing and experiencing a brighter future.
The Breakthrough
Charlie gradually started seeing that what he had assumed were just hard-and-fast rules about how life works were in fact just nonstop chatter bots toying with him. He saw that he could literally think anything at any time..
The Result
During our 3 days together, Charlie kept mentioning that he wanted to move to Miami and manage his business from there, but he'd have to fly back (to Boston) every week to manage a particular piece of the business. Every time he said that, I just asked, "Is that really true?" to which he usually reflexively answered, "yes!"
But on Day 3, at one of my favorite cafés, Charlie got an insight. He said "Wait a minute. I could just hire someone to do that piece!" And with one new thought, he saved himself countless hours of headache and tens of thousands of dollars in travel costs.
Several weeks later when we spoke, he said, "You know how you said other stuff would change that we didn't talk about? Well, my marriage was at a 4 and now it's like at an 8." I asked him why he thought that had happened. He said, "I realized I was just making up stuff about my wife that isn't true."
"Charlie" owned a contracting business that did light construction and home improvements. When he came to me, he told me, "My plane is stuck on the runway — not in the hangar, but certainly not taking off. I need to make a change fast!"
The Work
Over the next three days, we spent some time hiking and immersing ourselves in nature, having exquisite coffee and bonding over some interesting food experiences. We examined the inner workings of the human mind and I helped Charlie see the source of why he thought the way he did and why that held him back from seeing and experiencing a brighter future.
The Breakthrough
Charlie gradually started seeing that what he had assumed were just hard-and-fast rules about how life works were in fact just nonstop chatter bots toying with him. He saw that he could literally think anything at any time..
The Result
During our 3 days together, Charlie kept mentioning that he wanted to move to Miami and manage his business from there, but he'd have to fly back (to Boston) every week to manage a particular piece of the business. Every time he said that, I just asked, "Is that really true?" to which he usually reflexively answered, "yes!"
But on Day 3, at one of my favorite cafés, Charlie got an insight. He said "Wait a minute. I could just hire someone to do that piece!" And with one new thought, he saved himself countless hours of headache and tens of thousands of dollars in travel costs.
Several weeks later when we spoke, he said, "You know how you said other stuff would change that we didn't talk about? Well, my marriage was at a 4 and now it's like at an 8." I asked him why he thought that had happened. He said, "I realized I was just making up stuff about my wife that isn't true."
Advertising Agency Owner
From overwhelm to peace; and from frantic action to clarity and success.
The Situation
"Dan" owned a marketing and advertising agency with a staff of fifteen. He booked a two-day intensive coaching session, and we met in his hometown. He was under thirty, with a wife and two children under the age of five, and “stressed out of his mind.” When we met, he told me he had NO free time, "not even time to meet with you!" He presented me with a list of thirty things he wanted "fixed" in two days. I gently asked him to put it away and just trust the process.
The Work
Over the next two days, we spent lots of time together, sitting by his church (which was very important to him) and having coffee in the park. Together, we discussed the science behind the workings of the mind and looked beyond the to-do list and list of worries. I helped him look at every aspect of his life through a qualitatively different lens.
The Breakthrough
Dan came to see how the "hell" he was living in was his own creation. He saw that he was living a pre-programmed set of beliefs that led him to wake up at 4 AM and work during every moment of every day, regardless of the cost. All in hopes of a better future that would make him feel like he was enough.
The Result
Toward the end of our second day together, with only two hours left, I asked Dan to look at his massive things-to-fix list. He laughed, shook his head, and said, "This is all complete bullshit.”
With that out of the way, I asked him if, now that his mind was settled, he had any great ideas that he wanted to pursue. In twenty minutes, he filled a whiteboard with details of an unformed idea that he’d been thinking about for weeks which now seemed so clear. He stood back from the whiteboard and announced, "That’s a million dollar idea!"
Over the next few weeks during follow-on sessions by Zoom, he started to implement that idea, which actually resolved many of the fix-it list things that were holding his business back. His business grew, almost effortlessly within weeks. And, despite thinking he had no free time, within days of our meeting, he was playing the guitar for two hours every night with his daughter. His relationships with his family were improving. His stress was almost non-existent. He no longer woke up at the crack of dawn.
We keep in touch, and to this day, he reports a much more lighthearted way of being.
"Dan" owned a marketing and advertising agency with a staff of fifteen. He booked a two-day intensive coaching session, and we met in his hometown. He was under thirty, with a wife and two children under the age of five, and “stressed out of his mind.” When we met, he told me he had NO free time, "not even time to meet with you!" He presented me with a list of thirty things he wanted "fixed" in two days. I gently asked him to put it away and just trust the process.
The Work
Over the next two days, we spent lots of time together, sitting by his church (which was very important to him) and having coffee in the park. Together, we discussed the science behind the workings of the mind and looked beyond the to-do list and list of worries. I helped him look at every aspect of his life through a qualitatively different lens.
The Breakthrough
Dan came to see how the "hell" he was living in was his own creation. He saw that he was living a pre-programmed set of beliefs that led him to wake up at 4 AM and work during every moment of every day, regardless of the cost. All in hopes of a better future that would make him feel like he was enough.
The Result
Toward the end of our second day together, with only two hours left, I asked Dan to look at his massive things-to-fix list. He laughed, shook his head, and said, "This is all complete bullshit.”
With that out of the way, I asked him if, now that his mind was settled, he had any great ideas that he wanted to pursue. In twenty minutes, he filled a whiteboard with details of an unformed idea that he’d been thinking about for weeks which now seemed so clear. He stood back from the whiteboard and announced, "That’s a million dollar idea!"
Over the next few weeks during follow-on sessions by Zoom, he started to implement that idea, which actually resolved many of the fix-it list things that were holding his business back. His business grew, almost effortlessly within weeks. And, despite thinking he had no free time, within days of our meeting, he was playing the guitar for two hours every night with his daughter. His relationships with his family were improving. His stress was almost non-existent. He no longer woke up at the crack of dawn.
We keep in touch, and to this day, he reports a much more lighthearted way of being.
PhD Scientist Seeking a Better Career
From paralyzing fear to inspired action; from joblessness to a purposeful, high-paying job.
The Situation
"Nimish" had been accepted to a very prestigious university and was granted a full-scholarship awarded to only 1% of the applicants. He graduated from his PhD program with accolades, and while he found jobs at some prestigious institutions and companies, they paid below market value and didn't challenge him. After taking a few years off to care for his father in his home country, upon his return, the prospects were even more glum. He was referred to me by his therapist, and by the time we met, he had been out of a job for over a year, and felt pretty hopeless.
The Work
We worked together for 3 months, every week, by Zoom and in person. I helped him to discover that resilience is not something we need to "find;" rather, that it's inherent in all of us. I also helped him realize that to find a good job, he didn't need to show up in any prescribed way, but rather to become really comfortable with who he was. I helped him to discover, for himself, that whatever fears he had about the future or regrets of the past were just his imagination running wild, and that the present moment was where all magic happened.
The Result
As Nimish embodied this understanding, and became comfortable in his own skin, that confidence and "deep knowing" came through as he applied to and interviewed for jobs. Within a few months, he found a job at a company developing drugs to treat kidney disease, which was directly in line with his PhD research. The offer he ultimately accepted was 235% of what he was making before his father fell ill. And within 2 years at the new job, he was making 156% of his starting salary.
"Nimish" had been accepted to a very prestigious university and was granted a full-scholarship awarded to only 1% of the applicants. He graduated from his PhD program with accolades, and while he found jobs at some prestigious institutions and companies, they paid below market value and didn't challenge him. After taking a few years off to care for his father in his home country, upon his return, the prospects were even more glum. He was referred to me by his therapist, and by the time we met, he had been out of a job for over a year, and felt pretty hopeless.
The Work
We worked together for 3 months, every week, by Zoom and in person. I helped him to discover that resilience is not something we need to "find;" rather, that it's inherent in all of us. I also helped him realize that to find a good job, he didn't need to show up in any prescribed way, but rather to become really comfortable with who he was. I helped him to discover, for himself, that whatever fears he had about the future or regrets of the past were just his imagination running wild, and that the present moment was where all magic happened.
The Result
As Nimish embodied this understanding, and became comfortable in his own skin, that confidence and "deep knowing" came through as he applied to and interviewed for jobs. Within a few months, he found a job at a company developing drugs to treat kidney disease, which was directly in line with his PhD research. The offer he ultimately accepted was 235% of what he was making before his father fell ill. And within 2 years at the new job, he was making 156% of his starting salary.
Testimonials
Working with Naf was a game-changer for me. As an entrepreneur and executive, I've always struggled to turn my swirling ideas into reality. Naf stepped in as more than just a coach; he became a guiding light. His wisdom didn't just help me reduce stress and embrace kindness; it did something extraordinary—I found myself strumming my guitar for hours every evening and connecting with my daughter on a level I never thought possible. And we never even directly aimed for these changes! Naf's approach, so full of genuine care and understanding, not only propelled my career forward but also enriched my life in the most unexpected ways.
Dallin Cottle
CEO, ROAR Media
CEO, ROAR Media
I met with Naf in April 2019 for a 2 day intensive session. My web development business was going great on paper, but my life was my work- I was barely sleeping and I was constantly run down. Our sessions opened a lot of mental doors that helped me find more life balance, acceptance, and perspective. In the following years I transformed my business into something sustainable and far more successful. I was working less and had the mental space and energy to make bigger decisions (which helped lead me through a merger in 2021 and a sale in 2023). Naf does not tell you what to do; his gift is in helping you find transformative solutions from within yourself. Still to this day, I work less, wake up and go to sleep less burdened, have stronger relationships, dedicate more time to my hobbies, and in general I’m happier and more motivated than ever!
Peter Modest
CTO, Digital Impulse
CTO, Digital Impulse
Working with Naf as a coach has been a transformative experience for me as both an entrepreneur, doctor, father, and husband. He has (maybe unknowingly) touched all aspects of my life. His approach is unique. Many coaches tell you what to do, or what to think. Naf teaches you how to think for yourself. It sounds so simple, but that's because as adults we overcomplicate everything. He always says to me, "You have all the answers, I'd just like to help you find them." He has not only helped me in translating abstract ideas into tangible successes but also immensely contributed to a better sense of mental well-being. Through his coaching, I've discovered many universal truths that translated into stress reduction, communicating with kindness, and empowering others, which has been revolutionary for both my relationships with others, my professional journey, and personal growth.
Dr. Matt Anotnucci
President, NeuroSynergy Associates
(former) Founder/Chief Clinical Officer, Plasticity Brain Centers
President, NeuroSynergy Associates
(former) Founder/Chief Clinical Officer, Plasticity Brain Centers
For over twenty years, I have known Naphtali Visser as a vendor, consultant, business partner, and friend. Naphtali’s personal journey and growth continue to fuel ideas and opportunities that he so effectively shares. His ability to clearly communicate his own experience and distill this thinking and transformative mindset has allowed me, and many others that I know, to access and achieve their untapped potential. His message is, at its core, pointing to what you already know, yet is quite contrary to much of the typical advice of the business world. Tapping one’s own, or someone else's, potential does not come from incentives or consequences, but rather from engaging with the fundamental experience that it is to be human: shared, collaborative, honest, and fair. Naphtali’s take on business, management, and being a whole person gets at the core of what it means to be a “human working.”
Timothy Driscoll
Senior Director, Innovation & Digital Health Accelerator at Boston Children’s Hospital
Senior Director, Innovation & Digital Health Accelerator at Boston Children’s Hospital
The reason why Naphtali is Naphtali and what makes him so special is that he is a truth seeker, that is, his ability to think in ways that make him sincere in everything throughout his life. I can tell you that Naphtali is the real deal, in the sense that everything that he talks about is from the bottom-up, that is actually how he lives his life, and that to me is so important.
I have only met a handful of people in my life that live a life that they preach, and Naphtali is one of them. That's why I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with him over the past 18 months.
When he talks to you, he doesn't try to tell you, "Hey this is the path, this is the way things are done." Naphtali asks you, "What do you think about this perspective? What would it look like if it was like this?" Nothing is forced. It's all coming from a place of, "If you get it, great, and if you don't get it, you'll be okay anyway." And that's something that I so appreciated about our work together, which allowed me to truly explore possibilities without being forced to see them in any particular way. Because of the fact that the exploration was sincere and genuine, the understandings were also genuine, which to me is the utmost representation of a coach. And Naphtali is one of the utmost representations of what a coach can be. He literally hits all of the checkmarks. He lives in the same way that he talks. He doesn't force anything upon you, it's all perspective. And because of that, the understandings that you get are also not forced, they are not things that you struggle to get to. And that is the only way that I see radical change happen in people.
I have only met a handful of people in my life that live a life that they preach, and Naphtali is one of them. That's why I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with him over the past 18 months.
When he talks to you, he doesn't try to tell you, "Hey this is the path, this is the way things are done." Naphtali asks you, "What do you think about this perspective? What would it look like if it was like this?" Nothing is forced. It's all coming from a place of, "If you get it, great, and if you don't get it, you'll be okay anyway." And that's something that I so appreciated about our work together, which allowed me to truly explore possibilities without being forced to see them in any particular way. Because of the fact that the exploration was sincere and genuine, the understandings were also genuine, which to me is the utmost representation of a coach. And Naphtali is one of the utmost representations of what a coach can be. He literally hits all of the checkmarks. He lives in the same way that he talks. He doesn't force anything upon you, it's all perspective. And because of that, the understandings that you get are also not forced, they are not things that you struggle to get to. And that is the only way that I see radical change happen in people.
Elia Canu
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Naphtali empowered our team with a new understanding so they could thrive and have a successful reopening, even in a time of extreme uncertainty [beginning of Covid].
Martin Tennant
Dir. Learning, Encore Boston Harbor
Dir. Learning, Encore Boston Harbor
If you are genuinely interested in exploring what and who you are, Naphtali will help you go all the way. His coaching has provided me the insight to implement a new attitude to life and bring some clarity to what I want it to look like. And best of all, the kindness and compassion that has awoken in me continues to manifest in profound ways that have opened up opportunities I never would have believed possible.
Cameron Young
Spiritual Seeker
Spiritual Seeker
Working with Naf has been such a breath of fresh air —he's helped me focus on what really matters in my business as an artist/entrepreneur and focus on the most important aspects of being a creative. I have a specific project I'm bringing to life, and Naf is the first coach of many I've worked with who really got to the core of the idea and helped me brainstorm ways on how to connect with investors. I have an overall sense of peace, wholeness and tranquility, to have someone in my corner who truly believes in me, is tough on me, and is rooting for me to succeed because how could I not with this much energy behind me?!
Häana
Musician/Artist
Musician/Artist
Naf is a gem coach! A truly dedicated, intelligent and empathetic being. Someone who goes far and beyond to support his clients and gently nudges them to see their best versions. Over the past several months, Naf has helped me navigate through social and psychological wilderness — from being riddled with anxiety and self-doubt to a place of fulfillment and hope — as I not only moved geographically to another continent but out of the shadows of isolation to an Ivy-League University.
Umer Naru
Actor
Actor
Naphtali was able to guide me to some distinctions in my approach to work and life that had a profound effect on me [and] translated to more clarity in my decision-making process for work.
Dr. Freddys Garcia
Director, Carrick Institute
Director, Carrick Institute
Working with Naphtali has been instrumental in my growth as a senior leader within an organization AND as a moonlighting entrepreneur. He has the ability to continually help me step back and gain a wider perspective of any given situation in order to see the humanity in any dynamic. I have become a more empathetic and understanding person/employee/individual contributor/manager since working with Naf and I’m grateful that we found each other!
Josh Lafayette
Creative Director
Creative Director
Naf is one of a kind. His coaching style is to teach someone to fish, not giving them a fish - though sometimes, as he’s a compassionate person, he does that too. When I was out of a job he helped me shift my thinking so I could reduce my stress, hence develop resilience and from that place of reduced desperation, I was able to land a really good, well paying job which I’m enjoying and growing in.
His paradigm shifting approach is ideal for entrepreneurs [and] companies to take their business to the next level. He will show you in a very practical way how and why compassion and “humanness” is good not just for your soul but also for your financial bottom line.
His paradigm shifting approach is ideal for entrepreneurs [and] companies to take their business to the next level. He will show you in a very practical way how and why compassion and “humanness” is good not just for your soul but also for your financial bottom line.
Naf has a deceptively simple approach to coaching. Naf is committed to the essence of human nature. He prescribes no tools or tips or checklists to follow. If you have worked with other coaches or tried self-help books, your first reaction might be somewhat perplexed. What you realize is clear as you work with Naf is that he leads you to achieve clarity of yourself and your situation. We all make assumptions that we believe are obvious and true. But, without realizing it, we can let those assumptions impose false barriers to achieving what we want to achieve. Naf has a deep understanding of business – and the tech industry specifically – which adds to the calm confidence you develop as you work with him. Naf suggests plenty of useful practical specifics that evolve out of your discussions as he guides you to clarity and shedding your blocks. I have greater perspective and understanding than I’ve ever had and I am very grateful to Naf to helping me achieve that.
What makes coaching with Naphtali unique is that it comes from a place of real experience and a profound understanding of life’s deeper truths. I have always struggled with an existential sense of needing to find purpose and meaning in life where there appears to be none. Through coaching with Naphtali, I began to realize that the answers and truths I’m looking for are not “out there” but are very much “in here” with me. Absolutely no topic is off limits and he is someone you can feel comfortable confiding in and “going there” with. Today, I feel more balanced with better mental clarity about myself and the future with plans to start my entrepreneurial journey.
I WROTE A BOOK
And people seem to love it. (Schedule a call with me to discuss what's on your mind, and I'll send you a paperback or audiobook.)
About ME
I love helping people transform everything about their lives in much less time than any "efforting" approach would take.
Many years ago, when I was 23, after a few experiences at companies who didn't value culture, I started an Internet tech consulting company with the sole purpose of creating a great culture.
It was so great that after 4 successful years (and growing to 15 people), when financial tragedy struck and it seemed like the only thing to do was to go out of business, the entire team stood up and offered to work without pay to rescue the company. They did, and 2 months later, we landed a huge contract and then sold the company.
It was then I discovered that I have an innate knack for understanding what makes people tick. I have always been passionate about helping people.
I bring 50 years of life experience (I'm 50), including many crazy ups and downs. 31 years of professional employment, 24 of them being self-employed including starting a few businesses of varying success. I've had roles in senior management and working with Fortune 50 clients. I've written a book.
But most importantly, when we work together, I bring my entire being to you, as a coach. Whether you choose to work with me for 1 hour or 5 years, you get all of me. I'll challenge you a lot, but in the most supportive way.
Many years ago, when I was 23, after a few experiences at companies who didn't value culture, I started an Internet tech consulting company with the sole purpose of creating a great culture.
It was so great that after 4 successful years (and growing to 15 people), when financial tragedy struck and it seemed like the only thing to do was to go out of business, the entire team stood up and offered to work without pay to rescue the company. They did, and 2 months later, we landed a huge contract and then sold the company.
It was then I discovered that I have an innate knack for understanding what makes people tick. I have always been passionate about helping people.
I bring 50 years of life experience (I'm 50), including many crazy ups and downs. 31 years of professional employment, 24 of them being self-employed including starting a few businesses of varying success. I've had roles in senior management and working with Fortune 50 clients. I've written a book.
But most importantly, when we work together, I bring my entire being to you, as a coach. Whether you choose to work with me for 1 hour or 5 years, you get all of me. I'll challenge you a lot, but in the most supportive way.
want CLARITY?
Let's have a 15-30 minute chat to see if we align.
If we're a great match, we can get started right away, or you may opt for a complimentary 90-minute coaching session to get a greater sense of the impact of working with me.
If we're a great match, we can get started right away, or you may opt for a complimentary 90-minute coaching session to get a greater sense of the impact of working with me.