Traveling on a Long Narrow Path

Day and Night

I was born on a cold winter day in 1986 in Istanbul, Turkey. I was given the name Israel (shortened to Izel), which means "struggle with God." Indeed, I often found myself in constant struggle. Achieving success, excelling in everything that came my way, seeking acceptance and approval, and earning love from others. In my younger years, I even took pride in thinking I could challenge "God" himself :) As life progressed, I began to understand that finding peace and happiness comes from flowing with life rather than resisting it.

Growing up in Turkey, I experienced academic life in prestigious institutions like the German High School and Istanbul Technical University, where I developed valuable perspectives for life. In the realm of social engagement, I fostered leadership skills while contributing to youth groups striving to realize their ideals. After university, I moved to Israel, where I established an independent life and worked as a manufacturing engineer at Iscar. Subsequently, I completed my master's program in renewable energy engineering at Ben Gurion University. During this time, I started my career as a process engineer at Intel, where I currently work. In these roles, I not only learned the profession but also witnessed the core value of safety, the dedication required for excellence, and remarkable examples of leadership.

In my early thirties, I began to realize how demanding all these academic and professional achievements could be. However, I also started to understand that the true wear and tear wasn't from sleepless nights or efforts, but from how I treated myself during those struggles. Despite being sensitive towards others, I noticed I was quite insensitive (sometimes even ruthless) towards myself during the same periods. Practices like yoga, Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness illuminated my inner journey, guiding me towards peace, balance, and the resulting happiness.

As my thirties unfolded, I acknowledged that my chronic health issues had much to teach me, and as I accepted these lessons, I began to find healing. Dealing with lower back, neck pains, and head aches, digestion issues accompanied by gas and cramps, decreased focus and memory, intense feelings of unhappiness and restlessness, skin problems, endless fatigue, frequent illnesses or constant feelings of impending weakness – all of these experiences made it challenging to build a family, raise children, sustain my work, and maintain social connections. Climbing out of this deep pit was not easy, but today, some of the health issues I mentioned still linger without obstructing my life, some visit me occasionally, and many have vanished entirely.

For the last decade, I have continuously drawn from various resources related to health, experimenting on myself along the way. From traditional to modern approaches, techniques, therapies, tools, and applications – I've become acquainted with numerous of them, experienced many, and still utilize them. Some of these include Chinese medicine, functional medicine, integrative medicine, preventive medicine, lifestyle medicine, sujok, homeopathy, light therapy, bioresonance, biofeedback, and more. Prioritizing health and balanced nutrition, therapeutic diets, specific supplements, and various fasting methods helped me improve my gut health, contributing to the alleviation of my chronic conditions. Adding movement by listening to my body's needs, enhancing sleep quality, and practicing various breathing exercises further boosted my energy.

Over time, I delved deeper into understanding the impact of my mental and emotional well-being on my physiological and overall health. From traditional psychotherapy to modern techniques like EFT and EMDR, I felt my soul healing as I explored different therapies. As I recognized the effects of childhood experiences and resulting limiting subconscious beliefs on my health, I learned Silva and PSYCH-K® methods to change these beliefs alongside traditional therapy. Amidst all these techniques and methods, I realized that at the core of healing lies self-compassion, gratitude, and loving kindness. As I practiced these like one would exercise any kind of sport and as they became a habit, I started to fill with peace and love. For this, I give the greatest credit to my dear wife Reysi and my beloved son Tal.

With time, I began to understand that I had learned to suppress my emotions rather than process them in a healthy way. How did I do it? Through rationality and intellect. I attempted to give meaning to everything, to fit everything into logic, trying to rid myself of the "unknowns." Later, I realized that this mental game, which had protected me as a child, was now limiting me as an adult. Unexpressed emotions that accumulated but couldn't find release formed the foundation of my physical discomforts.

Reaching the inner child, reconnecting with it, and liberating it from its confines, being its own parent (self-parenting) – this journey is like “traveling on a long narrow path day and night” as the famous Turkish poet Asik Veysel once wrote. This path is the road to true freedom, to being oneself, to authentic living, to celebrating life in all its hues.

As I progressed on the path to healing, I understood that sharing all the approaches and practices I've learned and experienced with others, showing them how to manage their own health to live life more authentically and freely, was my heartfelt mission. Recognizing that coaching was the most effective way to make this possible, I decided to transition into the field of health coaching and completed the health coaching program by Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, one of the best training institutions in this field. After gaining coaching experience voluntarily, I am now here to support anyone who wants to continue their life meaningfully, joyfully, peacefully, and energetically.

Speaking of my favorite activities, I thoroughly enjoy being in nature with my spouse, child, family, and friends. I have a deep love for hiking and camping. Experiencing different countries, cultures, and cuisines brings me happiness. I take pleasure in preparing healthy and delicious snacks at home and delight in sharing them with my child and loved ones.