Staas Yudenko, spiritual coach (The Tao of Staas), co-founder and the technological strength of Liforia, Inc. moved to the US from Ukraine at 19 years of age to pursue a degree in Economics at Stanford University. Staas' journey to Liforia has been an adventure of coincidence and self-discovery.

Staas has always been interested in the study of the esotericism: mysticism, occultism and languages. His father was an officer in the Navy of the U.S.S.R. and professor of philosophy at a Naval Academy. Staas recalls, “Throughout my father’s life he accumulated a substantial library of books on esotericism, which included studies of psychology, hypnosis, paranormal, mythology, occultism, magic and languages.” Surrounded by these books from an early age, they ignited Staas’ interest into searching out secret knowledge; a consistent theme of Staas’ life.

“I've always been fascinated with technology, be it electrical or mechanical,” Staas says. As a child, in his family he's got the affectionate sobriquet of "little Kulibin." Ivan Petrovich Kulibin lived in 18th century and was an immensely talented Russian mechanic and inventor who built clocks, watches, and bridges. In elementary school, Staas was interested in how things are put together. Staas’ father used to say “He has a magic touch,” as previously broken things taken apart and then put back together by Staas would, like magic, start working again. At an early age, Staas remembers taking apart and reassembling a broken Cuckoo clock, which then began to work again. He also reminisces about his mothers golden watch, which had being lying for years unused in her jewelry box. Staas opened it up, replaced a tiny little spring from another watch, and the watch once again started to tick.

In the middle school Staas got interested in mathematics, numerology and encryption (cipher), especially because cipher was mostly used during World War II to transfer secret military messages.

Languages were another fascinating subject for Staas as they also represented an access to secret knowledge in other corners of the Earth. Staas studied English, German, French, and Italian throughout his years of education.

This interest into the mysterious carried on throughout school years into computers, when Staas was introduced to the first Soviet computers and programming language Basic. Staas won a number of state awards in Academic Olympiads in languages, mathematics and programming.

In high school, Staas was invited to a workshop led by a Vedic Shaman, focused on the development of psychic abilities and intuition. Having read a number of books on hypnosis and paranormal events from the father's extensive library, this workshop was like a laboratory for practicing theory. Staas recollects, “Playing with energy, auras, mind-reading, and intuition opened my eyes to so many new and fascinating ideas.”

After studying Economics and Finance for many years and getting disenchanted by work in the investment banks, law firms and "corporate ladder" climbing, he started seeking a less rigid and more creative outlet for his talents. Staas got interested in web development and acting. “Web design represented the perfect combination the creative and technical, the left and the right brains,” Staas recalls.

Staas has continued studying esoteric, (now referred to as New Age) literature including books on religion, spirituality, meta-physics, quantum physics, brain science and ancient cultures.

The interest in both web technology and spirituality gave birth to an idea of designing a website that would allow people to learn the power of their thoughts and intentions. Meeting John David Olsen was the perfect synchronistic event. Staas and John were introduced through a mutual friend and they began discussing John's idea for a website that would not only have an element of "theoretical education," but also "experiential learning;" learning by doing. The combination of Staas' "spiritual portal" and John's "Coincidence Cube" gave birth to the concept for Liforia.

Staas co-founded Liforia with John David Olsen in 2007, and as CTO and CEO respectively, they have combined their energies to change the world – just by coincidence.