Behavioral Scientist | Entrepreneur | NCI coach

Merlin
O’Brecht

About Me

Behavioral Scientist & Profiler. cognitive Surgeon

I grew up off-grid in rural Quebec, chopping firewood, riding packs of sled dogs, and developing the kind of observational intelligence that can’t be taught in a classroom. What started as a life built with my hands became something far bigger when I discovered behavioral science.

Today I serve as Dean of Academic Affairs at NCI University, the world’s leading institution in applied behavioral science, founded by Chase Hughes. I hold every certification NCI offers, including the Red Belt and NCI-4 Author levels, and I am the only person Chase Hughes has authorized to teach NCI live events. I have trained thousands of individuals and organizations across North America and Europe, contributed to the Behavior Ops Manual, and built the NCI University YouTube channel to over 20,000 subscribers.

My focus is the intersection of behavior profiling, communication, and self-mastery, and translating that depth into practical skills that change how people perform, lead, and understand the world around them.

RECOGNITION

NCI Dean of Academic Affairs

The only person besides Chase Hughes trusted to teach NCI live events globally, and the architect of NCI’s training systems, certifications, and course development.

NCI-4 Author & Red Belt

Holder of every certification NCI University offers, including the prestigious Red Belt and NCI-4 Author level, the highest designations in behavioral science training.

20,000+ YouTube Subscribers

Host and creator of the NCI University YouTube channel, with over 400,000 in reach, publishing weekly content on behavior profiling, self-mastery, and communication.

100,000+ Email Community

Part of an NCI ecosystem that has trained over 20,000 clients globally and reached millions through educational content on applied behavioral science.

Live Event Speaker Across 3 Continents

Taught sold-out NCI live events in Austin TX, Edinburgh Scotland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, delivering advanced behavior profiling training to professional audiences.

Behavior Ops Manual Contributor

Credited as a key contributor of content and editorial work on Chase Hughes’s Behavior Ops Manual, one of the most advanced behavioral science reference works in existence.

Opportunities

Work with Me

Work Directly with Me

1:1 Consulting

For executives, high performers, and professionals ready to develop a genuine edge in behavior, communication, and influence. Work with me directly.

Private strategy sessions tailored to your goals
Behavior profiling and communication skill development
Direct access to apply NCI frameworks to your field
Self-mastery and authority development
Ongoing accountability and feedback between sessions

Agency & Government Training

Law Enforcement / Training

Behavior profiling is one of the most operationally valuable skills in law enforcement and intelligence work. I deliver focused, applied training built for professionals in the field.

Behavior Profiling and Subject Analysis
Advanced Interrogation Technique
Nonverbal Communication and Deception Detection
Threat Assessment and Risk Indicators
Interview Structure and Compliance Elicitation

Executive & Organizational Training

Corporate / Training

From individual C-suite executives to company-wide deployments, I bring applied behavioral science into organizations that want a competitive edge in hiring, leadership, sales, and negotiation.

Executive behavior profiling and assessment skills
Advanced interviewing and interrogation for leadership
Communication and influence for high-stakes environments
Behavioral science frameworks for sales and negotiation
Private sessions or team-wide training programs available

Stage & Conference Appearances

Public Speaking / Disciplines

I speak on the topics I live inside every day, behavioral science, the nature of human communication, influence, and the philosophy of self-mastery. Available for conferences, corporate events, and live training experiences.

Behavior Profiling and Reading People in Real Time
The Science of Communication and Influence
Authority, Confidence, and Self-Mastery
Philosophy and the Nature of Human Behavior
NCI Levels 2 and 3 certified live training events

Learn

My Expertise

Learn from my expertise in Communication, Behavior Profiling, and Self Mastery through published works and NCI protocols.

Decoding Confidence in Real Time

A deep-dive into the part of confidence most people have never heard of, and why it matters.

The Truth Behind Every Social Mask

How your behavioral presence communicates before you say a word, and how to change it.

FOR YOU

Personal Mastery

Most people move through the world reacting to others without understanding what’s actually happening in the interaction. Through NCI-certified frameworks and years of applied coaching, I help individuals build a different kind of intelligence, one that reads people accurately, communicates with precision, and leads from a place of genuine authority.

Behavioral self-awareness and identity development
Confidence and authority through NCI methodology
Communication frameworks for real-world influence
Self-mastery protocols that rewire how you show up
Available through 1:1 coaching and NCI online programs

INSIDER Content

Watch My Content

New videos every week on behavior profiling, self-mastery, communication, and the science behind human interaction.

NCI Training Ecosystem

The most advanced behavioral science certification system in the world. Four levels. One path.

Behavior Observer

Master the foundational skills of nonverbal communication and human behavior, trusted by leaders, therapists, and top professionals worldwide.

Behavior Profiler

Build on your observation skills to analyze behavior, uncover hidden truths, and navigate interactions with clarity and confidence.

Behavior Scientist

Go beyond theory. Master the actionable skills to command respect, lead with confidence, and influence anyone...anywhere.

Author & Elite Operator

The highest mastery in behavioral profiling, influence, and persuasion. Earn your board certification and join the elite.

Private Intelligence

The Behavioral Edge for Leaders Who Can't Afford to Misread People

Every high-stakes decision your organization makes involves human behavior. Hiring, negotiation, interrogation, leadership, crisis, all of it comes down to reading people accurately and communicating with authority.

Most executives operate on intuition. The ones with a real edge operate on behavioral science.

I work with a small number of organizations and senior leaders each year to deploy NCI-certified behavior profiling directly into their operations. This is not a workshop. It is a private engagement built around your specific environment, your team, and the outcomes that matter to you.

If you lead people, manage risk, or make decisions where human behavior is the variable, this conversation is worth having.

Stay Updated

Join My Weekly YouTube Content and Live Training

New videos, live interactions, and behavioral science training, every week on YouTube.