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Meet Zareth
Meet Zareth
A physician, coach, and leader helping people pursue clarity, resilience, and authentic performance.
A physician, coach, and leader helping people pursue clarity, resilience, and authentic performance.
Decades of experience
Decades of experience
Zareth brings together medical expertise, leadership and business experience, performance coaching, and deep personal reflection in a way that feels both credible and grounded. His work has been shaped by years in high pressure environments, decades in emergency medicine, advanced training in sports medicine and biomechanics, and founding several businesses. He is committed to helping people lead with greater clarity, honesty, empathy, and resilience. The result is a coaching approach that is thoughtful, calm, and deeply human for people who want to perform at a high level while staying aligned with who they truly are.
About
1
Education and Professonal
Fascinated with intellectual and ...
... physical health and performance, I obtained a master’s degree in sports medicine/biomechanics (U of Oregon, 1995), and a medical degree (OHSU, 2004). My early career included competing in Olympic-style weightlifting and coaching strength and conditioning at the collegiate level (U of Oregon). Over the past two decades as an emergency physician, I have been extensively involved in leadership, mentoring, education, and innovation. In addition to practicing medicine and teaching, I have served as a board member and founded several companies in both medical and nonmedical settings.
1
Education and Professonal
Fascinated with intellectual and ...
... physical health and performance, I obtained a master’s degree in sports medicine/biomechanics (U of Oregon, 1995), and a medical degree (OHSU, 2004). My early career included competing in Olympic-style weightlifting and coaching strength and conditioning at the collegiate level (U of Oregon). Over the past two decades as an emergency physician, I have been extensively involved in leadership, mentoring, education, and innovation. In addition to practicing medicine and teaching, I have served as a board member and founded several companies in both medical and nonmedical settings.
2
Philosophy and Approach
I thrive in high-stakes...
... leadership situations but derive the greatest joy from team success. I am deeply interested in stress modulation at the individual, team, and systems level. Great successes start with thoughtful introspection and radical honesty to ensure that we are pursuing the correct goals and living in authenticity. This is supported by sound nutrition, exercise, meditation, contribution, and humor.
2
Philosophy and Approach
I thrive in high-stakes...
... leadership situations but derive the greatest joy from team success. I am deeply interested in stress modulation at the individual, team, and systems level. Great successes start with thoughtful introspection and radical honesty to ensure that we are pursuing the correct goals and living in authenticity. This is supported by sound nutrition, exercise, meditation, contribution, and humor.
3
Leadership and Team Dynamics
I continue to hold leadership...
... roles in medical and nonmedical settings and believe that it is imperative to consider the whole person when trying to enact lasting change and success. My leadership style results from years of working with different teams in high stakes situations, as well as the ability to routinely train team dynamics in high-fidelity life and death simulations. While teams benefit from having a clear leader, they thrive when all members are respected and encouraged to contribute. Wielding ultimate decision-making responsibility is invigorating but can also be isolating, especially in top-down settings where not all team members contribute equally. Greatness-in medicine, business, or life-requires empathy, a strong understanding of team dynamics, self-reflection and a willingness to search for one's own psychiatric blind spots. I believe that maintaining a spirit of playfulness and fun while pursuing our absolute best improves stress modulation and resilience.
3
Leadership and Team Dynamics
I continue to hold leadership...
... roles in medical and nonmedical settings and believe that it is imperative to consider the whole person when trying to enact lasting change and success. My leadership style results from years of working with different teams in high stakes situations, as well as the ability to routinely train team dynamics in high-fidelity life and death simulations. While teams benefit from having a clear leader, they thrive when all members are respected and encouraged to contribute. Wielding ultimate decision-making responsibility is invigorating but can also be isolating, especially in top-down settings where not all team members contribute equally. Greatness-in medicine, business, or life-requires empathy, a strong understanding of team dynamics, self-reflection and a willingness to search for one's own psychiatric blind spots. I believe that maintaining a spirit of playfulness and fun while pursuing our absolute best improves stress modulation and resilience.
4
Interests and Character
I see opportunity...
... everywhere, especially in adversity, which provides opportunities for cultivating perspective, humility, and resilience- a viewpoint only strengthened by my experience as a cancer alumnus. My personal life centers around family, contribution, traveling, and nearly all forms of physical activity. My relationships are built upon generosity and transparency, and I consider it a true honor to contribute to the lives of my patients and clients.
4
Interests and Character
I see opportunity...
... everywhere, especially in adversity, which provides opportunities for cultivating perspective, humility, and resilience- a viewpoint only strengthened by my experience as a cancer alumnus. My personal life centers around family, contribution, traveling, and nearly all forms of physical activity. My relationships are built upon generosity and transparency, and I consider it a true honor to contribute to the lives of my patients and clients.
Questions
you might have
What is coaching and how is it different from therapy or consulting?
Coaching is a partnership that focuses on helping you achieve clearly defined goals through a forward-looking, action-oriented approach. While coaching considers the whole person and seeks to understand you in detail, it does not delve into the past to heal psychological wounds as therapy does. Instead, coaching centers on your current situation and the path forward. Unlike consulting, coaching does not provide direct answers or tell you what to do. Rather, it supports you in accessing your own clarity, challenging assumptions, and taking meaningful action. You remain the expert on your own life and career.
What does "clarity" mean in the context of your coaching?
Clarity in my coaching encompasses four main dimensions: clarity of purpose (understanding what you stand for), authenticity (leading in alignment with your true self), resilience (managing pressure without losing your sense of self), and equanimity (remaining steady amid uncertainty).
How soon will I see changes?
Most people notice shifts during each session- more clarity, calmer days, better routines. Transformative changes generally develop more gradually as new behaviors become patterns.
What do I need to prepare?
Just bring yourself, a quiet space if possible, and an openness to explore what’s going on in your life and a willingness to see things from a new perspective.
Who do you work with?
I have coached people from all walks of life, but I specialize in three groups: C-suite executives navigating complexity and scale, physicians battling burnout or stepping into formal leadership roles for the first time and senior leaders who are in career transition or seeking deeper alignment between their values and their work. If you're a high achiever who feels stuck, unclear, or ready to level up your leadership, this work is for you.
How long are do coaching engagements typically last?
Coaching relationships begin with a free consultation call to assess fit and clarify your goals. Typical engagements involve semi-monthly 50-minute sessions over a defined period, often 6–9 months, with between-session reflections and accountability. For leaders needing a faster approach, a Clarity Intensive is available, usually spanning 1–3 sessions. The frequency and duration are tailored to your individual needs.
Do sessions happen in person or virtually?
Most sessions are conducted virtually via a secure video platform, allowing flexibility regardless of location. Clients across the country and internationally benefit from this arrangement. If you are local to the Portland metropolitan area, some sessions may be held in person.
How do I know if coaching is right for me right now?
Coaching works best when you're ready to be honest, do the inner work, and take action. You don't need to have it all figured out; in fact, most clients come with a sense that something needs to shift but aren't sure what. If you're coachable, curious, and committed to growth, the timing is probably right. The consultation call is the best way to find out.
What qualifies you to coach both leaders, executives and physicians?
I spent 20 years practicing emergency medicine- a field that demands real-time decision-making under pressure, team leadership in high-stakes moments, and the ability to remain steady when everything around you is in motion. I have started several businesses and held leadership roles both in and outside of the medical field. These lived experiences are the foundation of my coaching. Additionally, I received my coaching training at the Hudson Institute, one of the most respected coach training organizations in the world.
How much does coaching cost?
Coaching is a significant investment in yourself, your career, and your leadership. Fees vary depending on the engagement type and scope. I'm happy to discuss specifics on a consultation call. My services are designed for senior leaders, physicians and executives, and the pricing reflects that level of depth and expertise. If you're unsure whether the investment makes sense, the consultation is the right place to start that conversation.
Can my organization or employer pay for coaching?
Yes, and many do. Coaching is increasingly recognized as a strategic investment in the corporate world, healthcare systems, medical groups, and leadership development programs. I can provide documentation and invoicing appropriate for organizational reimbursement. If your employer has a professional development budget, coaching often qualifies.
Is everything I share in sessions confidential?
Confidentiality is foundational to the coaching relationship. What you share stays between us. The only exceptions are standard ethical obligations, such as imminent risk of serious harm. If your employer is sponsoring your coaching, we'll be transparent upfront about what, if anything, is shared (typically limited to participation and progress milestones, never session content).
Still have questions?
The best next step is a no-pressure conversation. Let's see if we're a fit.
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© 2026. Irwin Leadership. All Right Reserved.
Website by Fire Digital Content