Five years ago (2006) I began a journey with Tim McAuley that at the time I wasn’t even sure what I was doing or what to expect.

Life-coach; the first thing that came to my mind was what is that “Buy a friend”?  Little did I know five years later that the tips and methods Tim McAuley shared with me would lead me to some of the most important work I’ve ever done on myself.  I say on myself, because that’s exactly what I came to discover the process to be; working on one’s sense of self.

The Soul Surfer Way is to dig in, go deep and asking questions; sometimes I get answers and sometimes, like in those first few days I just spun my wheels. Tim was right there by my side to guide, coach, and encourage me.  He has always lead by example and embodied LOVE in our Sessions, even when he shared stories of the challenges he himself goes through to remain present.

I once told Tim that he has changed my life forever.  His reply, “no I didn’t, you did and Papa, (that’s what I call God) it’s always been about you.”

His modesty aside, I know from the deepest part of my heart that I am the woman I am today because of the work, effort, time and knowledge that Tim has imparted to me.

Is It All About Me? Yes it is.

I am so grateful that he has put all that he shared with me over the years into a book, and I am equally grateful he continues his unique style of coaching today.

I first met Tim McAuley while he was tending bar.  I was there to have dinner and drinks with my boyfriend at the time.  Bobby shook his hand and introduced me. I could feel the admiration he had for Tim immediately.  I definitely picked up a ‘peaceful’ vibe from Tim. His beautiful smile and casual style were very appealing to me. Bobby filled me in on Tim’s life a little bit… ”Tim is a published author, he is selling his ‘self-help’ book out of his car, he lived in California for a bit, etc.”

Intrigued; I found myself looking forward to getting to know him on a bartender/patron/friend level as my visits to Cambridge were becoming more frequent. However, the relationship with Bobby ended shortly after that meeting and therefore, my trips to Cambridge did as well.  Despite all that, I can now sincerely say that I will be forever grateful for that failed relationship because it led me to Tim McAuley–Soul Surfer, and my Guru .

As far back as I can recall; I have searched for ways to improve the quality of my life. I search for answers in scripture, in therapist’s offices, medication and through family and friends. I have read my share of ‘self-help’ books, so I thought, “What the heck? We have several Facebook friends in common. I’ll just cyber-stalk this guy for a minute.”  We became Facebook friends.  I purchased his book from Amazon.com and I truly thank God for Tim, his book and his Soul Surfer Sessions on a daily basis.

We started communicating via Facebook and emails. Although we have only met face-to-face a couple times, I feel like we ‘get’ each other.  As soon as I started reading his book, I felt a little less alone in this world. And from what I have read on his Facebook wall, I know I am not alone with that thought. He has inspired so many others.

On one occasion, I was overcome with anxiety related to an upcoming MRI to check for a recurrence of my son’s brain tumor.  That morning, I found myself pouring my heart out to him in an email.  Although I had physical support from my friends and family, I needed strength and encouragement that they could not provide. Instinctively, I trusted him with my thoughts; my crazy thoughts. Five minutes before I walked into the MRI facility, I received his reply and had a chance to read it.  Tim reminded me that what I was feeling was natural and to do my best to focus on mindfulness. He encouraged me to breathe and to focus on gratitude and joy. He gave me HOPE! I felt empowered!

Tim sent a seemingly simple, plainspoken email and it totally changed my day!

He reminded me that everything I need to get through this day and all days that will follow, is already inside of me. God’s love and grace live inside of me! His email was a powerful reminder of that.  Something that seems so simple, like refocusing and concentrating on my breathing, does not come easy to me during stressful times.  His emails have become such a blessing to me!  They give me a specific, step-by-step plan to follow to find my bliss and walk in God’s grace.  Incorporating his technique to my day has changed the way I envision my future. I am not so anxious anymore. I find I have more patience with the people around me. I definitely still have my triggers, but with Tim’s teachings, I am able to recognize them and pause to change my reaction.

His commitment to MY journey is genuine.  His commitment to MY happiness is sincere. I look forward to receiving his emails to help ‘retrain my brain’. Happiness is truly an inside job and with Tim’s guidance, I am certain that I will achieve peace.

Lori, FB Friend and Grateful Soul Surfer Client 

I was introduced to Tim about 5 years ago (2006) through a mutual friend and began working with him right away.

I had been on a “spiritual journey” for some time, reading all the “right” books, practicing yoga, shooting wheat-grass, but things on the outside still remained the same.

The more we began to work together, the more I realized this was an inside job and no book, no yoga class, or no wheat-grass was going to save me.

Through our work I began to see that I was not being totally honest with Tim or myself for that matter about what was really holding me back and that was; when I was not doing yoga, reading Deepak, or shooting wheat grass I was shoveling cocaine up my nose, drinking excessively and I needed to get help with that first and foremost.

We continued to work together after I got some sober time under my belt and I find Tim to be a straight shooter and has a way of talking to people in a way that is not over their head, he makes this stuff easy to understand or grasp and more importantly makes things easy to use in everyday life even if it’s something as simple as look for the color red today…(ask Tim yourself)

I’ve told Tim for a long time he should write a book and mentor more people and here he goes on his journey to do just that.  I can’t wait to read his books and see what he’s going to do next.

Tim is in no way perfect or a Guru, nor do I think he wants to be one.

This I do know for sure, he does the work himself, that’s how he knows how to share it with others. He’s going through it too and waiting for the answers to come to him so he can pass them onto us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

PS    Today I am married to a wonderful man, we own our own business, and I turned a hobby into a profession. My life is bigger than I ever could have imagined it to be and it’s partly due to Tim telling me to always write down what my perfect day looks like. As I sit here writing this letter, I’m realizing, that perfect day is so much closer than it’s ever been.

Thanks Tim – for your love, patience, understanding, compassion, and for sharing your wisdom with me.

Using the process of clearing, I am finding that I am better able to let go of the fear that has held me, and subsequently my family, in a holding pattern.  Since the birth of my first child, I have been the ‘worried mommy’.  I did not want my kids or my husband taking risks, or having adventures. With the addition of having a son born with hemophilia, the fear got worse.

Tim inspired me to realize the truth in what he wrote on page 83 in It’s All About Me “Reality is much more peaceful and kind than our minds and our actions have made it out to be” Pg. 83. My husband will be hiking the ‘knifes edge’ this weekend and I am glad, not afraid….seriously.”

Jill Sallade Packard