March 26, 2025
Looking back now, it’s hard to believe, cityHUNT began 25 years ago, marking the start of a journey that unfolded when I was a theater student at NYU.
What started as a final project—combining theatrical experiences with pub tours—grew beyond my wildest dreams.
I loved blurring the lines between audience and actors. We used simple tools: Polaroid cameras, paper, and pens. It was just a fun scavenger hunt for birthdays and friends.
Then came a pivotal moment.
Someone asked,
“Can you do this for my company?”
When they mentioned team building and their budget, I decided: “We’re a team-building company now.”
That changed everything.
Evolution Through Technology
Early on, we were limited by available technology.
Polaroid cameras could only do so much. But with digital cameras, participants could take more photos and videos.
Our uniqueness wasn’t just technology, but our philosophy—a journey of exploring positive psychology and gamification, refining experiences based on feedback.
Remarkably, in corporate settings where people often felt disconnected, our games became their “best day at work.”
We crafted experiences for everyone—introverts, extroverts, CEOs, and entry-level employees—creating equal footing through play and shared challenges.
This inclusive approach became our signature.
A Different Path to Growth
Unlike many startup founders, I chose a different journey—one where cityHUNT remained a “lifestyle business”—I never took outside funding.
User experience was my top priority, and I worried rapid growth would compromise quality.
Instead, we expanded thoughtfully and sustainably, growing from New York to the Northeast, then nationally and internationally.
This approach allowed us to maintain quality while reaching more people. As our reputation grew, I spoke about gamification and positive psychology at events.
I connected with Conscious Capitalism to explore ethical businesses serving all stakeholders.
This led to a core principle: never turning away schools, nonprofits, or mission-based organizations due to budget constraints.
This commitment evolved into Make Awesome for Others (MAFO), where corporate clients subsidize experiences for those who couldn’t afford them.
We’ve channeled nearly half a million dollars into scholarships and grants for schools and nonprofits.
The Unexpected Awakening
By 2019, despite helping organizations create positive cultures, I realized I was neglecting my own wellness.
Focusing on others’ positive psychology, I ignored my body and spirit. The turning point came unexpectedly.
I thought I was going to a resort in Costa Rica but ended up at a transformative yoga and meditation festival in the jungle, with just a bathing suit, a hammock, and no phone.
This profound experience sparked a complete life transformation, launching a new journey of self-discovery.
It led me to seek wisdom in India, Ecuador, and beyond, studying yoga, meditation, and shamanism—practices that complemented my understanding of gamification and positive psychology.
Personal Transformation
After that awakening, everything changed. I realized my possessions weren’t fulfilling.
Soon after, I went through a divorce and simplified my life, focusing on living rather than accumulating.
When COVID-19 hit, this transformation deepened. Isolated on a farm with my dog, separated from my children, I faced the solitude I’d always avoided.
I used to derive joy from making others happy—classic codependent relationships—and feared being alone with my thoughts.
During this time, I discovered the difference between loneliness and solitude. Through meditation, yoga, and nature, I learned to be comfortable with myself—perhaps for the first time.
Men’s Work and Personal Growth
Part of my journey involved participating in and eventually facilitating men’s groups—supportive spaces for emotional vulnerability.
This was revolutionary for me, as I was raised with a “crush it at all costs” mentality that forbade showing weakness.
My physical appearance changed too. I lost 50 pounds as my relationship with food evolved.
I used to think chicken wings were healthy because of the protein; I could eat them and lift weights.
Social drinking had been a networking staple, but as my meditation deepened and I spent more time in nature, these habits naturally faded.
Writing My Story
Now I’m working with a Forbes writer on a book called ‘Scavenger Hunt for the Soul,’ chronicling my journey to find balance between sustainable living and business growth—often conflicting paths.
Having seen many entrepreneurs suffer burnout, I want to share my insights on finding harmony between these forces.
The book has been six years in the making, and I’m planning to launch it without traditional social media.
After dealing with stalkers as my profile grew, I found social media wasn’t always safe for me.
I’m exploring alternative ways to build genuine connections and community beyond these platforms.
cityHUNT Today
Today, cityHUNT continues to evolve as part of my ongoing journey, enriched by a new perspective.
We’re launching a corporate wellness program with Highland Yoga at Serenbe, the wellness community where I now live outside Atlanta.
Companies can experience breath work, journaling, yoga, and a cityHUNT game—”fun stress” that engages teams and builds connections.
The foundation remains: fun, connection, and play.
But now these elements are enriched by deeper understandings of wellness and ancient wisdom. I
It’s about connecting—first with oneself, then others, and the natural environment, even in urban settings.
Through all the changes, games remain my constant companion—another form of ancient wisdom, a way humans have always connected with each other and themselves.