Mark Lees Coaching & Hiker Therapy

Mark Lees Coaching & Hiker Therapy My Love for hiking, the healing powers of nature, and my training as a counselor, coach, motivator a

Life Coaching is a client centered, strengths based, solutions focused support for individuals whom are looking to move forward in their lives and be the best they can be. Life Coaching is action oriented with an emphasis on improving present life and reaching goals for the future. My Life Coaching Philosophy…….When you think about what a coach does in sports, it is someone who has the ability to assess and get to know a player’s skills and guide his or her players so that they can utilize those skills in order to perform at their maximum potential and be the best they can be. I feel that this is also the goal of a Life Coach, to get to know you the client, learn your strengths and then guide and “coach” you to reach your full potential in:

Confidence, Self Worth & Self Esteem
Understanding how blame holds us back
Loving Relationships That Work
Career Change – Creating Workplaces That
Work
The Mastery of Balance – Juggling a Life
Self Care – Getting Your Own Needs Met
Living Your Purpose
Hot Buttons – Managing Anger, Upsets,
Frustration and Stress
Managing Grief, Loss, Sadness and Change
Connection Parenting
Self & Identity – Surviving the Oppressive
Over-Culture

Merry Christmas Eve…. Hike in - never give up - finish strong….
12/24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve…. Hike in - never give up - finish strong….

Love it is… Hikenon - never give up - finish strong…. the giver
12/23/2025

Love it is… Hikenon - never give up - finish strong…. the giver

12/22/2025

Mental Health Snack: No Expectations… hikertherapy

We must set the intention. No expectations, no waiting for the “1”, no hoping the phone will ring. To live our best li...
12/20/2025

We must set the intention.

No expectations, no waiting for the “1”, no hoping the phone will ring. To live our best life we must live with intention.

Set a goal and be determined to see it through.

Actor Jim Carey says, “ I visualize it, I see myself doing or getting what it is I want/ need. I take action - It never fails, It always happens.”

Our intentions are us doing it on purpose - not by accident.

Every day is a new day for us to set our intention.

Hike on / never give up - finish strong.

12/20/2025

Mental health Snack…..

Once we gain understanding ( usually through personal experience) that we cannot control 99% of people, places, and thin...
12/19/2025

Once we gain understanding ( usually through personal experience) that we cannot control 99% of people, places, and things the more likely we will live a content, lees- stress life.

The problem is we get so stressed. ,angry, and resentful trying like hell to control other people, places, and things.

This I promise if controlling behavior is the life you choose - you will be miserable and in a constant state of stress.

What to do?

1. shifting focus to your own actions
2. practicing mindfulness to stay present.
3. setting healthy boundaries.
4. challenging black-and-white thinking,
5. understanding your triggers, often rooted in past feelings of unsafety;

it’s about accepting what you can’t change and focusing on your mindset, reactions, and what you can manage, like taking deep breaths or setting boundaries saying “no”. 

It’s a practice, a process, and a discipline.

Hike on - never give up - finish strong

mentalhealth

A coping skill for anxiety, worry, and depressed mood I have picked up along the way is doing a daily Vent and Gratitude...
12/17/2025

A coping skill for anxiety, worry, and depressed mood I have picked up along the way is doing a daily Vent and Gratitude journal.

I start with my vents then end with what I am grateful for.

Example. Vent: Damn, that doctor did a number on my face, all those stitches for that little area? I am stressed over money. I have a car repair. My drs office won’t call me back. My partner and I are in conflict. Grateful for: I am grateful for my doctor. I am healthy. It’s such a beautiful morning. Thank goodness I have a car. Relationship conflict is an opportunity to talk about what’s going on. I need to spend less.

The interesting thing about this process is you will notice what you vent about is also what you are grateful for or can take action over.

Science and research has shown as we train and teach the brain gratitude our mood shifts- gets lighter. We see what is important to us, and what we worry about never materializes.

All good reasons why we feel better in life and with ourselves.

Here’s the process

1. By a journal or notebook at Dollar Store.
2. Keep your journal in a safe place
3. Allow 10-15 minutes a morning ( or anytime to write)
4. Put pen to paper and vent and gratitude away - starting with your vents ending with your gratitudes.

Clients who dismiss this coping tool initially, try it and use it daily. And report back to me they look forward to the Vent and Gratitude session.

It’s self- therapy and It works !

Hike on - never give up - finish strong

Our past actions are long gone. They cease to exist the second after they took place. The guilt is kept alive by us try...
12/16/2025

Our past actions are long gone. They cease to exist the second after they took place.

The guilt is kept alive by us trying to change the past - an impossible task. This only leads us to depression, and more guilt.

Putting all that mental energy on the past is self destructive and only consumes vast amounts of the present. Essentially we are here - but we are not.

Not only does it rob us of the moment, it also robs those who need and love us of time with us. We are present - but we are not.

What to do?
1. Admit to the past action.
2. Forgive yourself of the actions.
3. Accept any consequences
4. Change your behavior.
5. Actions not words convince others we are genuine and sincere.
6. Focus on the present moment by; meditation, nature, focus on your breath, walk near a forest or trees,, be near water, journal 5 things you are grateful for daily.

Also, incorporate affirming self- talk. “ Yes, I did this but I am not that person anymore. I have good things all around me. I am cared for and loved. I make a difference in at least one other person’s life.”

Lastly. Guilt is such a wonderful teacher- a reminder of a lesson learned and a way to understand “ I am better, I am doing my best, and I am different.”

Hike on - never give up - finish strong.

Nobody is in control of how we think or act - but ourselves.This goes for how we think moment to moment and how we act o...
12/15/2025

Nobody is in control of how we think or act - but ourselves.

This goes for how we think moment to moment and how we act on a daily basis.

The day offers us a lot of choices, decisions,, challenges, and experiences.

Our mood is affected by all of this. Of course we will have our moments of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, even disgust.

Today, get to make a choice on how we are going to respond - think and act. Preferably for the betterment of 1. Our mental health and 2. Others.

Hike on - never give up / finish strong.

We trigger ourselves. We tap into that unhealed piece as a way to feel what we’ve suppressed all those years. - we rea...
12/14/2025

We trigger ourselves.

We tap into that unhealed piece as a way to feel what we’ve suppressed all those years. - we react with anger, resentments, fear, stress.

When we train our selves to acknowledge the “ twinge” we feel it and let it pass- we do not clIng to the feeling but we accepts its (the feeling’s) presence. “ it’s ok to feel that, it’s ok for me to have ( fill in the blank) but I will not let it trigger me.”

The more you open yourself up to feel suppressed anger, fear, resentments, and stress the less those emotions will control you.

It’s a practice and a process.

Hike on - never give up - finish strong

This chapter shares the day my son and I did our annual toss of three roses into the Oceanide Harbor to honor my Dad’s ...
12/13/2025

This chapter shares the day my son and I did our annual toss of three roses into the Oceanide Harbor to honor my Dad’s death ( and birthday which fall on the same day)

Enjoy

Chapter 46: Life, death, and love
“Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.” - Lao Tzu

April 21, 2014.

“ I wanted to get it done early. You know, down here, honoring Grandpère and celebrating your birthday reminds me of when Grandpère and Grandmère visited us in Brea; for your first birthday, you were playing with a book or some toy; it made the sound: quack…quack. Grandpère grabbed your little hand and started dancing. You bounced up and down, chuckling—while he sang the quack-quack song. Both of you were having such a great time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my dad with so much joy.”
“Great, you remember that, Pops. I’m glad Grandpère could have that moment. I know you told me he was sick and undergoing cancer treatment.”
“Yeah, seeing you two dance together is a memory I’ll never forget.”
We finish up our delicious seafood meal and stand to leave, then walk to the parking lot - share a warm hug and say goodbye.
“Your birthday’s next, then Father’s Day.” Joe says
“Hell yes, I’ll be fifty-nine.”
“Talk soon, Pops.”
We get in our cars, drive out of the harbor parking lot, honk once more, and wave. I head on the 76 east for the drive home.
Even though my dad has been gone for twenty-two years, a sadness still lingers, but celebrating my son’s birthday eased my sorrow today: the cycle of paternal love, renewed.

My goal is get all this to the editor by January, publish mid 2026. September 2026 is our 10 year anniversary of Whitney and the renewed relationship between@my son and I

This was my second serious skin cancer diagnosis in 4 years. Merkell Cell Skin Cancer is rare, it affects 3000 people a ...
12/12/2025

This was my second serious skin cancer diagnosis in 4 years.

Merkell Cell Skin Cancer is rare, it affects 3000 people a year. My tumor was egg sized and on the back of my calf. Tests ( PET scan and a lymph node removal ) showed no spread to other areas- so far so good.

I also had no intention of dying so I did what was needed - surgery on 01/2825 and radiation. March- May. 2025.

The biggest challenge for me was the open wound surgery and radiation left behind.

In fact at today’s wound care visit I was told the wound is considered closed and I only have one more visit ( I go weekly) then a 3 week follow up.

More good news to close out 2025.

I am grateful for the care I have received over the past year and the miracle workers who have treated me.

Doctors have told me my attitude ( got that from my warrior mother,) my staying active ( the irony of hiking is it keeps me alive but also due to sun exposure on all those hikes may have contributed to skin cancer.).

Ordered us a pizza for supper My doctor today after asking my age said, “70???… I thought you were 50.”

I’ll take it. I am a youthful soul.

Skin cancer is derived from at least 5 lifetime sunburns ( all in my youth) , heredity ( my dad) and skin type, and eye color ( me mum.)

As of today I am cancer free. I intend it so.

My cancer journey has guided me to embrace life on an entirely different level. I also have affection for those I am around and have learned how to accept affection in return.

I have developed deep loving friendships with those I have met along the treatment journey.

I’ve never had a victim spirit. I have refused to let cancer define me or have me.

I may have cancer - but I refuse to let cancer have me.

For those dealing with cancer or any physical, emotional, or mental setback. Stay strong, there are days when you get the f**k it’s but refuse to give those same f**k it’s power over you.

Gods peace to Jimmy Buffet, Bill Walton, Tony Gwynn ( my all time 3 favorites) and all those who lost the battle but win the war.

Hike on - stay strong - never give up.

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Oceanside, CA
92057

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Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 7pm

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