Since I'm new to a lot of you and a new mod, I thought I'd write up a quick synopsis of my experience and background and give you all a chance to learn a little about me.

I officially joined the seduction community in the summer of 2007 when I separated from my wife that spring. I was looking online for tips on how to break the ice and had no knowledge of the seduction community at that time. (it was still underground, albeit not for long) Whenever I asked about advice on breaking the ice people would recommend I read The Game by Neil Strauss. For a couple of months (April - June) I kept rejecting it because I didn't want pickup artist advice because I didn't believe it worked, nor is it what I was looking for. I just wanted to learn how to break the ice (which we know call "approaching"). Eventually I broke down and bought the book because the recommendations were so strong. To my surprise I liked it so much I read it in 3 days. I am not an avid book reader, so this is saying something!

When I was going out on the weekends I was dabbling with things I read in the book, and to my astonishment it actually worked as described (more or less). I was in the Air Force Reserves and had to go about 4 hours away every month, and because I wasn't afraid of things getting back to people who knew me I really ramped up my "training" and really went for it. I probably gained more experience during those weekend trips than most guys new to the community do in months of what was known as "sarging". I directly attribute this 'I'm out of town, time to go balls to the wall' effect to why I got as good as I did so quickly.

Back in the early days, Mystery Method (MM) was the primary model everyone used. Then came some of the follow-ups as the community grew as it was pushed into the mainstream media. The Game was a bestseller and soon after The Pickup Artist was on the air. IIRC, following MM was Magic Bullets, which IMO was largely derivative, but did have an incredible breadth of information for those still using structured game (following a model and using canned lines and routines). Then came RSD and some others who introduced us to "natural" game. Since that time I've seen a variety of changes in the community, with a lot of revolving door aspects. One standout was AFC Adam who really helped reshape my style of game. The model he introduced me to closely matched how I naturally interacted with women and it's what I've stuck with ever since more or less, largely because it allows me to be "normal". The only time I really think back to the structure he presented in class is when I go blank or run into a tricky situation that's not heading in the direction I want it to.

Back in the day, the community was very much about getting laid with the least amount of work possible, but over the years things have diverged. You have the old school pickup companies still geared towards getting socially awkward guys laid using scripted material, and then you've got more holistic approaches by typically one-off companies most people have never heard of (and guys like myself). The focus of this latter segment of the community is to "skill up" students' social attributes, get them experience using some structured material, and then put them on a self-improvement path so 6 months down the road they're not one of those guys who gets a girlfriend while still on the training wheels (routines et al) and then she dumps him when he runs out of material.

I eventually got my skills where I wanted them, to the point I've had some crazy experiences. I was still active online and with the constant repetition of newbies asking the same questions I began taking on a mentor role in my local community in the DC/Baltimore area. I've offered free training going on 4 years now and have taught over 100 men and women, some of whom have become good friends of mine. I was also a contributor to Decibel's PUA Field Guide, have been active in the SoSuave community, and a variety of community forums. If you look back through my old posts you can see how I evolved. I'm still active in the local community, but I've pushed back from the table. These days my interests are more in teaching newbies, men's issues, and the manosphere in general. I'm also currently dating a former model/child actor 13 years younger than myself. (yay for matching SMV!). I take that former model part back, she just did a gig for Paul Mitchell a few weeks ago. Anyway, I've been a pretty active member over on SoSuave, The Attraction Vault, Roissy/Heartiste, MR, Seddit, and was in on the ground floor when Rollo started up Rational Male. I'm also a fan of Athol Kay's blog and book.

Just to reiterate, I don't consider myself a pickup guy anymore. These days I consider myself a dating coach and mentor. My goal is to train up peoples' social skills and get them to become the best version of themselves from a holistic perspective. I sincerely believe this is the optimal path for guys looking to make changes for the better rather than following a script and aping "alpha male" qualities the whole time. As for the manosphere and red pill aspect of life, I also advise students I'm mentoring of the risks and liabilities modern marriage presents, and introduce them to Red Pill philosophies and what's essentially our sidebar material.