From David…

"What did you say?" James asked as he leaned forward on the chairlift we were sitting on at Georgian Peaks Ski Club. We were both riding single, and the two other riders on the chair had just asked me what I did.

I briefly explained how I was the co-founder and CEO of a neuroscience company that was creating a new form of literacy called “neuro-literacy.”

James said, "when we get off at the top, let’s pick a time for me to come and see you in Toronto.”

He arrived at our office the following Tuesday at 11 AM, and our journey together began. He was a natural for our work. I listened with fascination as he described his Olympic and professional ski racing career, his family and business life, and his journey from addiction to recovery. He had recently completed a six-month residential addiction rehabilitation program followed by training to be a certified addiction counselor, and he was preparing to return to Toronto and reintegrate into the community.

I was moved by his candor and positivity, not to mention his irresistible grin and the twinkle in his eye.

He started as a regular NEXT learner with a healthy amount of skepticism. Each week, he shared his experience as a learner and his growing belief that neuro-literacy could shift the paradigm of personal performance and well-being… to help people avoid the vicious downward spiral into chronic illness and addiction and invoke the virtuous upward spiral to health, happiness, and high performance.

Then he trained as a NEXT Guide and began to weave neuro-literacy and the NEXT System into his addiction counseling practice.

Like anyone, he still had ups and downs, but his determination and resilience were unshakable. He always picked himself up and renewed his dedication to helping others thrive and realize their full potential.

He was my hero, my rock, my close friend, a beloved founding member of our NEXT team, a wonderful neuro-literacy champion and NEXT Guide, and a tribute to the virtues of being a contribution to others. We shared this motto:

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between their work and their play, their labor and their leisure, their mind and their body, their information and their recreation, their love, and their religion. They hardly know which is which. They simply pursue their vision of excellence at whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing.

To them, they are always doing both.”

I will never forget you, James.

Love and light,

David

From Vicki…

James Kirby was my Guide, my Addiction Counselor, my Mentor, and my partner in emotional and spiritual growth.

He taught me how to care about myself by caring about me, even when I didn’t feel like I deserved it. He never gave up on me. He spent thousands of hours on the phone with me over the past eight years. He taught me how to live a life that was authentic, and aligned with the values that I said were important to me. He helped me to learn to walk gently amongst others, to be responsible for myself, and to be responsible for the way people experienced me.

I’ll always remember the things he would say to me, sometimes in a rather strong tone, like “Get out of your own d*mn way!” or “Go do something for someone else!”.

I stole my life motto from him, “Connect, Contribute, Grow”. He so inspired me, that I followed in his footsteps, going back to school to become an addictions counselor, and then training to be a NEXT Guide.

James, you saved my life, and I precisely promise that I will keep you alive in my heart forever.

From Scott…

What I knew of James was a man who never left behind his intense discipline and focus as he embraced a deep humility and concern for others. His impact on others is tangible and lasting. His legacy one that will continue on into the future through those “others.”

If a person’s time on this earth is but a breath … then James’ breath has become a gentle breeze that will continue to bring grace and healing long past his short time with us.

From Nathalie…

I met James when our daughters joined the same ski group. Upon learning about our company, NEXT, and its focus on neuro-literacy, James immediately recognized the profound benefits it could offer, not only to his addiction coaching clients but to everyone he encountered.

As a NEXT Guide, James was knowledgeable, caring, and generous. He dedicated himself to helping others transform into their best selves. As both a team member and a friend, he consistently expressed gratitude for his life and the opportunity to assist others. His generosity, love, and honesty left a lasting impression. I will remember James as a constant source of inspiration to strive for my best self.

From Patrick...

While I only knew James for a short period of time, his impact on me was profound. As my NEXT guide, James provided me with the right balance of discipline and compassion in the midst of the biggest challenge of my life. I'll never forget his simple yet invaluable guidance to "focus on the process" while my head was (literally) spinning, as I grappled with the uncertainty of a worsening chronic health condition. I consider James to be one of the many "Trail Angels" I've encountered throughout my life that have guided me towards a life of vibrant health and ever-deepening purpose. Until next time...