AS FEATURED IN
True resilience is a game-changer.
Unlock the fun, performance and purpose, you thought was lost.
What If…
You:
Made 1 better decision a week: 52 a year
More energy and clarity instead of burnout
Your Team:
Was fuelled by camaraderie at its heart
Lifted engagement by 20%, 30% 70%
How To Work With Me
Keynotes
I share how I rebuilt my life from rock bottom to one that seemed like a fantasy a few years ago.
I tell the story of how I transformed myself from the despair of seeing my Mum murdered, alcohol abuse and the terrifying PTSD that followed, through to the life I have now. Full of happiness and meaning.
That transformation is Design For Life is and is relevant to every one of us.
Your audience will leave inspired, energised, and ready to believe that change is possible.
For themselves and those they lead, with clear, actionable insights to build performance, camaraderie, and fun at work.
You won’t hear a talk like this anywhere else
Teams: Resilience By Design
In these workshops, we go beyond theory and grit.
Using Design for Life, I help teams understand how real resilience is built in the mind, the body, and between people.
We’ll explore what drains energy and what restores it, how to build trust and connection.
How small daily changes transform engagement and performance.
It’s practical, fast-moving, and fun.
Your team will leave re-energised, more connected, and equipped with tools to stay strong, collaborate better, and perform at their best.
Real change begins here.
1-to-1: Resilience By Design
If you’re feeling drained, stuck, or searching for direction, this is where things start to shift.
Through Design for Life, I’ll guide you to rebuild from the inside out — quickly, practically, and with genuine curiosity.
No jargon. No overthinking. Just focused work that delivers change you can feel.
You’ll notice more energy, better decisions, and a renewed sense of purpose.
And you’ll know how to keep it.
This is personal, collaborative, and grounded in lived experience.
It’s for anyone ready to stop surviving and start living to their full potential by designing their own resilience.
What people say:
“Wow! What an evening. Dave’s story was inspiring. I’ve attended many speaker events, and this is one I’ll never forget. The room was gripped.”
Nick Ball
What people say:
“Thank you so much, Dave, this was so inspiring, thought-provoking – and reassuring!”
The Open Univesity
What people say:
“Everyone needs to know this stuff, it’s life-changing”
Ethan Ward
About Dave
had an idyllic childhood—climbing trees, building dens, racing around on bikes, and playing any sport we could get the kit for.
That changed at age 12, when I witnessed the murder of my Mum in our home. The man responsible was a colleague she was trying to help. Only luck and quick thinking saved me from the same fate.
As a family, we had no idea how to cope. After one day off school, we tried to carry on. I didn’t speak to my Dad about that night for 20 years. In the meantime, PTSD crept in and became unbearable.
I saw over 60 therapists and tried 30+ therapies. I was hospitalised multiple times, battled alcohol, and hit some dark places. From the outside, life looked successful. Inside, I was broken.
Everything began to change when I discovered self-leadership—when I realised that while I couldn’t change what had happened, I could change how I responded to it. That shift transformed my life.
Today, I live with purpose, resilience, and (mostly) a calm mind. The biggest stress in my life is following Leeds United—but I can live with that.
Now, I work with individuals and organisations to share what I’ve learned. My self-leadership programme, A Design For Life, helps people reset, rebuild, and lead themselves with courage, clarity, and meaning.