We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marco Adda. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marco below.

Marco, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Indeed, a pivotal moment in my journey completely reshaped my career trajectory. In my youth, right after high school, I grappled with many passions and interests that seemed to pull me in multiple directions. I was drawn to animal behavior, theatre, martial arts, mindfulness practices, ecology, and so much more. However, the prevailing societal norms and pressures at the time emphasized the need to choose a singular path, often overlooking the possibility of integrating these diverse passions. I know many can resonate with this struggle.

For a few years, I was involved in theatre and actor training. With some creativity, that context allowed for integrating other passions, too. However, a sense of fragmentation was always present, leading to moments of doubt and uncertainty.

Then, life took an unexpected turn. I was in my early 30s. In a few months, I faced a series of challenges that shook the foundations of my existence. I lost my job, a significant romantic relationship ended, financial worries loomed large, and a beloved family member fell seriously ill. Amid this tumultuous period of crisis, the walls that had previously confined me to limited choices came crashing down.

During this time of intense vulnerability, I was forced to reevaluate and reassess my priorities. The boundaries that had once constricted my potential dissolved in the face of adversity. While confronting these challenges, I began to recognize the interconnectedness of all my passions. Theatre and martial arts taught me to embrace vulnerability and express my authentic self, echoing the lessons learned from observing animals in their natural habitats.

From that point on, I committed myself to weaving together my passions and expertise, recognizing that the richness of life emerges from embracing complexity and interconnectedness.

The wisdom I gained from this journey is that crisis can catalyze transformation, breaking down the barriers that hinder our growth. The lesson is to have the courage to question, explore, and integrate. In doing so, we create a life that aligns with our deepest values and contributes to a world that thrives on diversity and harmony.

Marco, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m thrilled to introduce myself and share my journey with you. My path is a convergence of diverse fields that may appear disparate at first glance but are intricately woven into the fabric of my life’s work. I’ve dedicated myself to bridging animal behavior, mindfulness practices, theatre, martial arts, ecology, anthropology, psychology, and more.

My journey began with a curiosity that led me down various paths from a young age. I started practicing martial arts at age 7. Additionally, I was captivated by animals’ behaviors and inclined to seek the interconnectedness of all living beings. As a teenager, I found solace in mindfulness practices, yoga, qigong, and later theatre and actor training.

As I journeyed further, I discovered the transformative potential of integrating theatre and martial arts. Theatre taught me the art of empathy, while martial arts discipline harmonized with my understanding of animal behavior, revealing the intricate dance of movement and intention that both humans and animals share.

My services and offerings are a reflection of this multidimensional expertise. I provide workshops, coaching, and consultations that integrate these diverse fields. Through my work, I help individuals tap into their authentic selves, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.

One of the core problems I solve for my clients is the challenge of fragmentation. I guide individuals toward integration in a world that often compartmentalizes our passions and identities. I empower them to embrace all their sub-identities and passions, recognizing that they are not separate facets but threads that weave the tapestry of their unique journey.

I’ve experienced the power of uniting seemingly unrelated fields to unlock new perspectives and solutions. Life’s richness emerges when we dare to explore the intersections. I’m proud of the moments when clients realize their potential is not confined by traditional boundaries and that they can forge a path that honors their entirety.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One crucial lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that success is solely attained through specialization and a narrow focus. Contrary to this notion, societal pressure and common beliefs may perceive integrating diverse fields of knowledge as a surface-level understanding of everything. That is totally false. Instead, it involves cultivating deep and expansive expertise across various domains while also nurturing a flexible and open mind capable of weaving these insights together.

The integration journey can be even more challenging than pursuing a singular specialization. It demands a commitment to delving deeply into multiple subjects, honing a comprehensive understanding of each, and then possessing the skill to synthesize them effectively. It requires the development of cognitive agility and the capacity to find meaningful connections amidst seemingly disparate concepts. I am not saying I have all those skills, but I work hard to get there.

Integrating different knowledge domains is a rigorous endeavor that necessitates both breadth and depth. It calls for a unique dedication that embraces complexity, fosters adaptability, and encourages a holistic understanding of the world. This journey challenges us to transcend the “comfort” of specialization and embark on a path that, though more demanding, ultimately offers a richer, multidimensional perspective of work and life.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

There is something I would change, not in terms of topics but in terms of process.

I want to address this question as an educator. The essence of my change would be centered around experiencing a more holistic and integrated approach during the formative years of childhood.

The prevalent notion of  ‘learning’ can sometimes paradoxically restrict children’s growth. In retrospect, I can clearly see how that has affected me and my entire generation. And it does not look much better today.

The current system, in many places, which often confines children to desks and structured subjects, can inadvertently limit their holistic development. Empathy, physical engagement, and creativity can suffer. To address this, I believe that primary education should emphasize play, a natural vehicle through which children learn about their surroundings, develop social skills, and nurture empathy. It’s a space where curiosity flourishes, and imagination knows no bounds. Also, instead of compartmentalizing subjects like math, geography, and history, integrating these topics within a more exploratory framework can open young minds to the interconnectedness of knowledge.

I firmly believe that minds shouldn’t be nurtured in boxes. Rather than focusing solely on information retention, curricula should encourage the integration of topics, fostering open-mindedness and curiosity.

So, if I could go back and adjust something in my career, I would ask to play more at the primary school. This is also what I wish for children and youth today. By nurturing open-minded, curious, and empathetic children and adolescents, we can pave the way for generations that are academically skilled while also equipped to tackle complex global challenges with creativity and compassion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marcoadda.com/profile
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marco.adda.7
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-adda/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarcoAddaAEDC

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