The edge of success

An innovative approach to supporting leaders in coaching who are searching for purpose in their craft. Leading can be lonely - but it doesn’t have to be

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Meet the Founder

My name is Johan Dulfer. I started my coaching career at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. After graduating with a Master’s in Politics from Groningen, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology from the University of Minnesota and embarked on a volleyball coaching career that would include multiple D1 stops. After rebuilding Clarkson University’s Division 3 program from a 7-25 season into a 4-time Elite Eight participant, my family and I moved to Ithaca, NY where we helped Ithaca College reach 2 more Elite Eights and a Final Four berth.

I had moved across the world on my own, built a family in a foreign country and rebuilt two volleyball programs with 7 conference championships and 6 regional champions to show for it. When people asked me what made me want to take chances like that, my answer was that I love to live on “the Edge of Success”. It can be a scary place, because the edge of success is also the edge of failure. Sometimes jumping into the unknown means you have to wear your rubber ducky life vest. But in the end, it’s on that Edge that living and learning happen and that Success becomes a possibility.

I jumped off the Edge again in 2024, leaving behind the only profession I had known to help build one of the most successful real estate teams in the Finger Lakes. In the process I became the top producer for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage Realty. But life changed for our family again and I found myself at the Edge once more. I’m now the head coach at the University of Hartford where another major rebuild awaits. I have learned that the Fire still Burns! That sentence is an homage to a book written by the late dr. Mike Hebert, my mentor, who taught me that coaching is “building your own universe”. My advice to anyone in coaching is to be selective about who you invite into your universe. Because when you’re on that Edge of Success, staring at the beautiful ocean below, you want to be in the presence of those you trust the most. My advice is: grab your rubber ducky and take the leap. It’s worth it.

Work With Us

what we offer

coaching support services

Coaching is a lonely profession. It’s helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off of and to keep you grounded. Someone who has seen it all and has made the mistakes. Some coaches want help with a specific issue; others are looking for general support and a fresh perspective. A weekly chat on the phone, or even multiple days together in your gym or on your field. Whatever your needs - let me help you supercharge your program.
Every coach hits that point where you wonder what the next step looks like. You might be wondering what the best way is to get to where you want to go. Together, we can design a career plan for you.

The Edge of Success

Breakthrough Consulting, Redefined

As a coach, you are used to going at top speed, 100% of the time. Our profession can be wonderful but it’s also all-consuming. Inviting someone into world temporarily, can be a breath of fresh air. It can help give you the perspective to take your team -and your career- to the next level. Find out where your strengths lie and what opportunities for improvement might exist. Learn to see your blindspots and ultimately take your team to a higher level.