I'm a striver and a zen student. I have a relentless desire to constantly improve and I know that perfection is already right here, in this very moment. This paradox fires me up.
Throughout my life, I tackled challenges complex and diverse, such as running brain scanning science experiments and playing the violin. I have first-hand experience of the joys and sorrows of being a high achiever in everything I have done. Through real-life trials and errors, I have learned how to channel my drive in sustainable and regenerative ways, without ending up feeling drained and obsessed (I occasionally still do).
My personality is Type 1 of the Enneagram and INFJ of the Myers-Briggs, which combined make me a natural coach and a personal development nerd. I take icy showers every day, I devour books, I savor the thrill of being onstage performing without script, and I love to challenge myself in many other ways. My morning routine: get up at 5am, workout my body and mind for 2 hours, shower my family with wake-up-love and then get to work.
My credentials
My lived experience as a human being is what empowers me to work with you. As far as titles go, I have a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience, five years of post-doc at McGill doing research on the neural mechanisms of learning, I have two masters, in psychology and organizational development, I'm a certified music therapist, a certified Yoga teacher, I trained in Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reducion, Marsha Linehan's DBT Skills, Brainspotting, theory U, Kaospilot, authentic relating, liberating structures and I hold a professional coaching certification with the International Coaching Federation (ACC level, ID #009475259I).
Introducing Nicolò
Published Research
DIFFERENT COACHING FOR DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURES
In this study with with Prof. James Gavin at Concordia University we documented for the first time how the effectiveness of different forms of coaching (performance coaching, life coaching, leadership coaching, 3rd generation coaching) is seen differently depending on the culture of the organization (market, clan, hierarchy, adhocracy).
MUSIC INCREASES THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF HEART AND BREATHING BETWEEN LISTENERS
In this live-concert experiment with Prof. Luciano Bernardi at the University of Pavia we show that listening to simple rhythms and melodies, which largely dominate the choice of music during rituals and mass events, brings individuals together in terms of their physiological rhythms.
TONING OPTIMIZES CARDIORESPIRATORY FUNCTION
In this study with Dr. Shelley Snow and Prof. Alexandre Lehmann at Concordia University and BRAMS we show that toning, a form of chanting with roots in mindfulness and sound healing, brings participants to spontaneously adopt a pattern of slow and deep breathing that optimizes respiratory function and increases heart rate variability.
MUSIC ENTRAINS BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS
In this experiment with Prof. Luciano Bernardi at the University of Pavia we show that music attracts and modulates physiological rhythms such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and the diameter of the microvessels in the finger. These bodily changes are likely the biological substrate of the emotional response the music.
MINDFULNESS INCREASES PHYSICIANS' WELL BEING AND QUALITY OF CARE
In this experiment with Prof. Patricia Dobkin at McGill University we show that doctors who undergo an 8-week training in mindfulness experience a reduction in stress, a reduction in burnout and are their patients perceive them as being more caring.
MUSIC KEYBOARDS HELP SPACE EXPLORATION IN STROKE PATIENTS
In this experiment with Dr. Giuseppe Vallar at the University of Milano-Bicocca we show that music keyboards help patients with stroke regain awareness of portions of the space around them. The combination of keys and associated music scale sounds prompts patients to push, key after key, the boundary of the space they are able to perceive.
Curiosity corner
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I have appeared as a guest musician in about a dozen published music records in the Kirtan and New Age genre. My favorite are with these amazing artists and friends: Satsanga, Floris Van Vugt and Le Noble Chemin.
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As much as healthy food choices are one of my pillars, I disproportionally enjoy an occasional poutine. Oh, and chocolate chips in my otherwise super-green smoothie.
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Sometimes I love to be silly and lose control of my laughter
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I am grateful to have a wonderful wife and two children whose presence has taken everything in my life to the next level.
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I make a spectacular Italian pasta all'arrabbiata
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I am mediocre at DIY house improvement, which I avoid as much as I can because I can't stand the feeling.