Hi, I’m Adi!
I am a coach, speaker, writer, and entrepreneur who’s spent the past 15 years building organizations, inspiring courageous leadership, and empowering people to live their best lives.
We are always one decision away from an entirely different life.
Today, I am the CEO of Think Change, keynote speaker, and the author of four books, ranked #1 Coach in Los Angeles in 2023.
Noteworthiest — I live a life I love.
But it wasn’t always like this.
My earliest memory is escaping an assassination attempt. Then a childhood marred with wars, poverty, trauma, self-rejection, and grief.
At 17, I came to Wisconsin with $300 in my pockets, two suitcases, and an improbable dream: a happy life.
“You’ll never make it,” they said.
“Watch me,” I replied.
Since then, I learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to do it scared. But if we’re willing to “do” courage and have some faith, the rest can come together.
Make no mistake: getting here required a lot of hard work, healing, and learning. It involved rejections, failures, money issues, and even a brush with suicidal ideations.
Still, today, as I sip my morning coffee at my beautiful home in Venice Beach, I am grateful for my experiences. Removed from the strife and war—internal and external alike—I celebrate my struggles. They made me who I am, and I have learned to like who I've become, and to love myself, too.
My story is unlikely, but I wasn’t born with a magical skill, only a refusal to stand for anything less than a good life.
My Story
1987 - Born in Montenegro, then a part of the Former Yugoslavia, 3 years before the start of decade-long civil wars.
1997 - We cherish our first BFFs forever.
2004 - First weekend in Greenfield, Wisconsin. I can't pronounce "squirrel" or "snack."
2009 - It's always impossible until it's done. Getting here wasn't easy, and I may have 40 lbs more than when I started, but my belief in the power of courage is affirmed.
2010 - While there's a world to conquer outside of us, there's a universe within. My healing journey ramps up,
2011 - Move to Chicago and a day later Grom, born on my grandma's b-day, comes into my life! Happy is a colossal understatement!!
2013 – Another degree down.
2014 - "Own It," my first book, comes out.
2015 – During a meeting at The White House, President Obama gifts us some branded Hershey Kisses.
2017 - "Once in Love, Always in Love" comes out, telling the story of a renowned interfaith leader, John Wayne's drinking buddy, and my friend, the late Fr. Mauthe.
2018 – Helping the Michael J. Fox Foundation end Parkinson's, accompanied by the Miss Universe Canada and Miss Michigan.
2020 – COVID is raging, my business in free-fall ... then, an email: "You've been selected . . . the youngest on the list of 20."
2020 – After a decade of dreaming and Grom's near-death experience, we move to Venice Beach.
2021 - "18 Habits" comes out. Click on the image for your free e-copy!
2022 – I check the final box to become a U.S. Citizen.
2022 – "Aditudes" comes out.
2022 - Recognized as CEO of the Year 2022
2023 - Ranked #1 Coach in Los Angeles