Founder

The Founder of Healing Wave Aquatics,  Dave is one of the country’s top Aquatic Therapy practitioners as well an  acclaimed Life and Leadership Coach.  For over four decades, he has helped hundreds of individuals radically heal and transform their lives.

As a certified and licensed WATSU® and WaterDance™ practitioner, Dave has studied with the industry’s “A-List,” including the founder of WATSU®, and has successfully helped hundreds of PTSD-diagnosed veterans, caregivers, heal and transform.  Beyond his professional expertise, Dave is gifted with exceptional attunement, guided by what he terms a “divine grace” to connect with each individual’s energy and needs.  This grace has informed Dave’s work since his own transformational experience during his first aquatic therapy session. 

Dave launched the non-profit, San Diego-based Healing Wave Aquatics in 2010 with the intention of helping reduce the then suicide rate of 22 veterans per day.  By 2016, under his leadership, the organization grew and thrived, amassing over $1.4 million in donations and grants. It also undertook a groundbreaking research evaluation study with John’s Hopkins University to measure the reduction of Post-Traumatic Stress through aquatic therapy under his leadership.  

Outside of the water, Dave possesses 40 years of esteemed business and leadership experience.  His resume includes 13 years with Recreational Equipment, Incorporated (REI), where he became the youngest vice president in the company’s then-history, as well as led mountaineering expeditions across the globe. Dave received his B.A. in Wellness and Community Health Education, and EMT certification at Central Washington University.

Today, Dave is based out of San Diego, California.  He is also CEO of 4 Elements Alchemy, LLC, a private company that provides aquatic therapy treatment and life and leadership coaching to individuals and organizational leaders.