One reason I do well socially vis-a-vis things Paleo: I make it a point not to engage in banter about diet and exercise with fellow humans whose response is likely to be of the "run screaming from burning building" type. I consider it a blessing that I don't find myself having to explain my various wellness-oriented choices.

But it's a mixed blessing. Because the flip side is: I would like to have people in my life with whom to share the quest. It isn't much fun, keeping to myself about so much about my life that matters to me: food, exercise, positive mindset, love of research, applied knowledge, and the full range of philosophical ("Well, Alfie, what the heck is it all about?") questions that go with the territory. I'm comfortable with my choices, not looking for approval ("Affirm my healthy life please!"), and am happy not to debate. On the other hand, I get weary of feeling like the proverbial Stranger in a Strange Land.

I'm late 50s, healthy/fit and looking to stay that way. Former marathoner/ultra runner, got bored with that distance (thankfully, prior to serious over-use injuries). These days I do HIIT, go on slow easy runs, do 3 gym workouts per week (I"m on an IF Leangains program and enjoying delightful success). Longtime practitioner of meditation, free of religious/spiritual trappings (though Buddhist psychology makes a lot of sense to me, as psychology). As a life coach my passion is assisting people in creating a vision of their best life, and supporting them in making it real. But when people ask me what I "do" I typically respond, "I'm my kid's dad." Raising my 13-year-old son, and helping him to become the best possible human being, is my main work and abiding daily interest. His mom (my ex) and I share custody; the simple premise being, we will be in relationship for the rest of our lives, as our son's parents. Hence he deserves two grownups.

I live in the Sonoma County wine country, 35 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Would love to get to know kindred spirits around Sonoma and Marin counties, down to San Francisco and/or East Bay. In addition to all the topics that get discussed here, my latest quest has been researching neuroplasticity (both theory and personal practice) and Heartmath Emwave "coherence" training. Recent books I have enjoyed: The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky; The Road by Cormac McCarthy; New and Selected Poems, Volume One by the incomparable Mary Oliver.

I've jumped out of airplanes a few times, with an instructor and chutes attached; planning to try again. I'm a gregarious introvert who loves life, including Maui beaches, mineral water, chocolate; Arrested Development reruns and Curb Your Enthusiasm;days of dappled, seaborne clouds; and my year-old golden retriever. Not exactly a credo, but close enough for government work:

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours" (H. D. Thoreau).

Wow, this almost sounds like a "dating" profile. Nope, just wanting to give a sense of who I am, what I enjoy, where I'm headed.