This page is a brief expression of who I am, where I came from, and what I believe. It is a constant work in progress, just like me.
Updated April 2024.

My Story

I’m Josh Traeger. I’m a trained crisis advisor, counselor, and attorney. Some call me a “crisis consultant.” I’m also a devoted husband, proud father of two, lover of the outdoors, world traveler, and Demon Deacon.

I’m the founder of Sinan Consulting, a personalized consulting firm that specializes in working with high performers who are confronted by life-altering and potentially damaging crises and reputational events. Our clients come to us for advice and counsel during difficult times. When I am not working directly with individual clients, I write and speak about personal growth and crisis managment. I enjoy appearing on podcasts and in other news media, discussing topics like high performance and resilience.

I am a proud resident of Traverse City, Michigan, which is undoubtedly the coolest city in the United States. Outside of work, I enjoy playing sports with my kids, hiking the Northern Michigan trails, downhill skiing locally and in Colorado, watching my beloved Demon Deacon sports, and spending time with friends.

I was drawn to help high performers in crisis because, honestly, I have been there too. I excelled in college and law school, crushed it as a military officer, built a successful legal career, and then almost lost it all. I know what it means to confront crisis, because I have done it myself. The crisis that I created, and had to face, put both my career and my personal life on the line. Through hard work and dedication, I made it through, better for having experienced such trying times. This experience inspired me to launch Sinan Consulting and begin working with high performers navigating crisis.

I fundamentally believe that each of us is greater than our biggest mistakes. And with any luck, in the work that I do, I am able to help high performers through difficult times and equip them with new tools to excel in business and life.

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My Timeline

1984: Born in Allentown, PA, famous for the Liberty Bell’s hiding
1992: First ice hockey hat trick
1995: My parents bought me a go-cart; big mistake
1997: Became a newspaper boy for the Erie Times-News (Erie, PA)
1999: Partied like it was
2002: Graduated Fairview High School; named “Most Likely to be a Millionaire”
2004: Studied in Barcelona, Spain and explored Europe every weekend
2005: Spent 40-50 nights sleeping in a tent for Wake Forest basketball tickets
2006: Met my wife; love at first sight; couldn’t remember her name
2009: Married my wife, who I now know is Maggie
2010: Joined the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant
2016: Began traveling the world 225+ days per year for the Air Force
2020: Left active duty; launched my legal career
2021: Personal and professional crisis
2023: Launched “Sinan Consulting” to help others navigate difficult times

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My “Now”

That brings us to today.

Living
+ Enjoying the shift to spring in Northern Michigan
+ Getting back on the mountain bike after a few month hiatus

Working
+ Building True North Legal Group, a community-centered legal enterprise
+ Working with crisis consulting clients around the world
+ Finishing up a military career in the Air Force Reserves

Learning
+ Improving mindfulness with a daily journal and meditation practice
+ Reading Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Supporting
+ Local nonprofits: Veterans in Crisis, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan