About Me

I’m a coach and writer working at the intersection of health, human change, and creativity. My work blends coaching psychology, positive psychology, philosophy, lifestyle medicine, and narrative practice to help people rebuild focus, resilience, and purpose — whether they’re redesigning a life, navigating a major transition, or finally giving shape to personal, professional, or creative projects they’ve carried for years.

I support people who want to live with more truth, strength, energy, and creativity: professionals at crossroads, people in midlife rebuilding health, artists and writers, or anyone ready to move from surviving to flourishing. Evidence matters deeply to me — behavioural science, critical thinking, and the six pillars of lifestyle medicine — but so does story: where we’ve been, how we make sense of it, and who we choose to become at any stage of life.

My practice follows EMCC professional standards and is grounded in ethical, strengths-based coaching that aligns values with action. Alongside my coaching work, I write, make music, and design wellbeing and creative projects. I’ve contributed to journals and newspapers on health, art, sport, philosophy, and society, and I was honoured to receive Irish Aid’s Global Citizen Award for creative humanitarian and education projects.

What I Offer

Coaching & Positive Health Plans

  • 1:1 Coaching Sessions
    Compassionate, focused conversations to clarify goals, identify strengths, navigate change, and build momentum.

  • Personal Health & Wellbeing Plans
    Whole‑life plans grounded in positive psychology and lifestyle medicine, designed around your life — not templates.

  • Ongoing Support & Integration
    Follow‑up sessions, check‑ins, and reflective practices to support sustainable change.

  • Performance & Vitality Support
    VO₂ max testing, breath training, heart‑rate‑guided exercise, recovery strategies, and personalised fitness insights.

Focus areas include:

  • Midlife vitality and healthy ageing

  • Burnout recovery and stress regulation

  • Post‑traumatic growth

  • Retirement, career change, and second acts after 40

This work is for anyone ready to live with more energy, clarity, and purpose — on their own terms.

Who I Work With

  • Adults and people in midlife or retirement seeking strength, vitality, meaning, and enjoyment

  • Artists, educators, and professionals feeling stuck or disconnected

  • Individuals navigating health challenges, grief, anxiety, trauma, or identity change

  • People interested in healthy ageing, resilience, and long‑term wellbeing

  • Individuals, businesses, community groups, schools, and organisations focused on mental and physical wellbeing

  • Individuals and groups moving on from addiction, relationship challenges, or post-trauma

Why I Do This Work

Because I’ve lived it.

Nothing about my own path has been linear. Many of my proudest achievements came during periods of change, rebuilding, or adversity. Much of what I coach today — resilience, behaviour change, health renewal, creative recovery — I had to learn first-hand.

What I bring to this work is hard‑won insight, empathy without pity, and practical strategies for real change. I’ve lived and worked across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the United States, and I believe this global experience has deepened my ability to work sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds.

At 51, my own health and performance reflect long-term wellbeing rather than quick fixes: a VO₂ max of 48.1 and a resting heart rate of 48 bpm. More importantly, these markers reflect psychological flexibility, disciplined habit formation, and nervous system balance — qualities I aim to pass on through my work.

Everything I coach, or share is grounded in lived experience. Not in theory alone, but in real life — often under pressure, and uncertainty. Today, I’m living a life I consciously designed, and I do this work because I enjoy helping others do the same, whatever circumstances they’re navigating.

Writing & Creative Work

I’m also a literary non‑fiction writer with a focus on society, philosophy, resilience, and meaning. My work blends memoir, cultural criticism, humour, and personal essays. I’m a member of the Irish Writers Centre, a contributor to national publications, as well as a participant in Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts pilot.

Retreats, Groups & Experiential Work

From time to time, I offer retreats and group experiences in Ireland and Spain, which may include:

  • Sea swims, cold‑water dips, and movement sessions

  • Memoir writing with publishing guidance

  • VO₂ max and metabolic testing

  • Breathwork, yoga, and recovery practices

  • Music nights and ensemble workshops

  • Hikes, mountain walks, and nature immersion

  • Storytelling and studio recording

  • Reflective journaling and dream exploration

  • Art mornings by the sea

  • Nutrition talks and shared organic meals

  • Mental health peer groups and group coaching

No prior experience is needed — only a willingness to begin and a desire to reflect, change, or tell your story with support.

Qualifications & Training

My work is grounded in formal study, ongoing professional development, and long-term applied practice in coaching psychology, lifestyle medicine, and the creative arts.

Core Qualifications

  • PG Cert – Lifestyle Medicine & Positive Psychology, RCSI

  • BA (Hons) Philosophy & Literature, University of Galway

  • Higher Diploma – Psychotherapy & Counselling, Dublin Business School

Professional Standards

  • Practice aligned with EMCC professional standards

  • Professional Member, Irish Writers Centre

Selected Professional Training

  • Positive Health Coaching & The Science of Happiness – RCSI

  • Breathwork & Meditation – Headspace

  • Substance Misuse & Trauma-Informed Care – Learning Curve Institute

  • Safeguarding & Child Protection – Dept. of Education

  • Public Speaking & Leadership – Toastmasters

  • Culture & Conflict – Harvard Extension School

  • P4C & Writing for Page, Stage & Screen – University of Galway

Health & Creative Practice

  • Rowing Instructor Certificate – Concept2

  • Experience in VO₂ max, heart-rate-based training, recovery & habit change

  • Writing for Page, Stage and Screen - Creative Writing - University of Galway

  • Diploma – Piano, Music Technology & Recording, ABRSM

I engage in ongoing supervision, reflective practice, and continuing professional development to ensure ethical, evidence-informed work.

Work With Me

If this resonates, I’d be glad to hear from you to set up a free call.

📩 Email: david@davidoreilly.eu