The Blazing Pine Origin Story
@davideaston0
@DavidEaston
ABOUT ME
This is where everything changed.
The Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant in Calgary’s Fish Creek Park. A few years ago I had dinner on the porch with family and talked about life, work, kids, moving to Canada.
I was talking about a vision I had for building a business with one single goal: helping people.
“If you want to do it, stop not doing it”.
My sister-in-law Meg made it so obvious that the decision itself suddenly seemed easy.
On the drive home we passed a single pine tree burning by the side of the highway.
And that’s where Blazing Pine (eventually) got its name.
Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, located in Calgary’s Fish Creek Park.
I have done a lot of different jobs. Pulling pints. Feeding sheep. Serving royalty. Wealth management M&A. Operations leadership. And for a long time I had no idea how to pull this all together into something useful.
One day I realized that all I had been doing was trying to understand people. What motivates them, what makes them make decisions the way they do and think the way they do and relate to others the way they do.
Today I run a coaching and advisory practice focused on helping people solve their professional and personal problems.
I use the lessons from my wiggly career every single day. I don’t believe in teaching models and frameworks. They’re there if we need them. But really it’s about you, your business, and your situation, and working in partnership to find the best way to make something great happen.
ABOUT ME PERSONALLY.
Our bottom line, if you remember only one thing (and if you've read this far): no nonsense. Just concrete, actionable, real-world help to you and your business.
Me: I am married with two daughters.
Location: I live in Calgary, Alberta.
Myers Briggs: INFP-A.
DiSC: Dominant / Independent
Clifton Strengths: Relator | Self-assurance | Restorative | Deliberative | Ideation.
Languages: English & French.
The Really Important Stuff
Camping
Winter sports (especially skiing)
Summer sports (especially fly fishing)
Playing guitar to an empty room.
Photography
Driving a really long way.
What Qualifies Me?
2024 - Present
BLAZING PINE
Founder & Leadership Coach
Finding ways to be useful every day.
July - November 2024
CAREER BREAK
88 days on the road with my wife and kids.
MT-WY-UT-CO-NM-TX-OK-AR-TN-GA-SC-FL-AL-MS-LA-TX-NM-AZ-CA-NV-CA-OR-WA.
Relocation to Calgary, Alberta.
2012 - 2024
UBP - UNION BANCAIRE PRIVEE
Project Manager - Geneva, Switzerland
Head of Human Resources Asia - Singapore
Head of Change Management - Geneva, Switzerland
Head of Business Management - Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Chief Operating Officer (London Branch) - Greater London, England, United Kingdom
2006 -2012
THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD
Private Secretary’s Office
Values
HEALTH
TRUTH
IMPACT
AGENCY
CREATIVITY
Mission
Blazing Pine exists to demythologize personal growth and leadership, helping talented professionals navigate workplace realities, overcome internal barriers, and take meaningful ownership of their lives.
