Carve your Own path without Burning Out

Coaching for creators and community leaders who want to build with calm and confidence

Dear fellow human,

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably set out on your own path, leaving the default world behind to find your soul’s calling and create a life with greater freedom, joy, and impact. Or, maybe you’re standing at the shore, looking out at the horizon, longing to set sail on your next adventure.

Either way, I’m glad you found your way here.

Carving out your own path is becoming not just a calling for many people today, but a necessity. The corporate world isn’t the bastion of reliability it once was. Layoffs are happening left and right. We’re spending more time talking to robots than we are to each other. And for those of us stepping into new chapters of our lives, the old way just isn’t sustainable anymore. The fear, disconnection, and exhaustion people are feeling today are only going to grow. And many, like you, are taking the matter of their soul and career into their own hands.

So first, I say to you, heck yes! (as a dad of three, I’m no longer allowed to drop F bombs)! I believe in you, and I think you’re pretty darn cool for even considering embarking on this path.

And yet, for many who step away from the default path into the wilderness of creation, they’re surprised to find that being out on their own brings with it a new suite of challenges. Things like..

Having to make all the decisions yourself
Stepping into leadership, and more boldly using your voice
The insecurity of wavy income while having real financial obligations
Difficulty holding boundaries between work and life
Not knowing where to focus your time (and for some of us, ADHD making a lot of those choices for us whether we like it or not)
The loneliness of not having a team to lean on, or anyone who truly understands your situation
Fear of what people think, and the worry of letting people down

These are just a few of the challenges that those carving out their own path often struggle with. And as a result, it’s common for us creative folk to deal with anxiety, depression, mood swings, poor sleep, bad habits, disconnection, overwork, burnout, and sometimes even more intense situations.

I say all of this from experience. Let me share with you, dear human, a bit about my story…

My Story

I’ve never taken the default path.

Since middle school, I've been a creator, community leader, and entrepreneur. I’m about to turn 40, and I’ve never used a resume. I’ve started and sold multiple businesses, led a global community, published a book, and helped define a professional industry.

Pretty impressive, huh? My mom sure thinks so.

Well, what if I told you that during that time, I also struggled with constant anxiety, depression, crippling self-doubt, disconnection, and even occasional suicidal ideation. Not exactly ideal.

Why did I suffer so much through this journey? Well, enough was never enough. It was like there was a hole in me I was hoping to fill by growing my reputation, making money, succeeding in business, and winning internet points. But that hole was never filled. In fact, the deeper I went, the darker it got. Eventually, this landed me where it lands many of us who unconsciously pursue ambitious goals: burned out, exhausted, and alone.

Knowing something had to change, I stepped down from my company of eight years and set out on a search for what’s next. I quickly found myself lost in the abyss. I didn’t know who I was without my title and role. I didn’t know where to go next with my career. I felt unmoored and unsafe. Then, a few lifequakes, including an intense public conflict, a sudden death in the family, and the near-death experience of my daughter, challenged every pillar of my ego and my perspective on life. My search for my next career move turned into my dark night of the soul. Lost, alone, and questioning everything, I had hit rock bottom. And that’s where the healing began.

I spent the next four years putting the pieces back together, and rediscovering who I am. I immersed myself in Zen, meditation, somatic work, breathwork, nature, therapy, IFS, group work, and plant medicine. I learned how to be with my thoughts without being ruled by them. I learned nervous system tools to help me stay grounded and calm through difficult times. I learned how to feel my emotions and let them move, rather than resist them.

After four years of intense work, I’m not an enlightened man, but I am a changed one. I’ve experienced a great deal of healing and a new experience of life. And what’s interesting is I’m as motivated to create as ever, but the fuel is cleaner. I’m not working from the “dirty fuel” of scarcity and inadequacy, trying to fill in a hole within myself, as much. I’m engaging with the world more from a wholeness within me, and a longing to share that wholeness with others.

My life today looks very different than it did five years ago. My anxiety has largely subsided, depression hasn’t visited me in years, and I feel much more calm and connected in my mind, heart, and body. I have more balance; work is important but not taking up all of my life, I’m a dad of three wonderful, feral children, and I live in a wonderful village of humans who are taking care of each other. As I deepen into this work, my relationships are becoming richer, my work is becoming extremely joyful, and life just keeps feeling more alive.

This, my friend, is what I want for you and why I’ve started working as a coach. I want to help you get clarity on your soul’s calling for yourself and for the world, help you remove the impediments (both inner and outer) keeping you from bringing it to life, and I want you to be able to do so from a place of calm, confidence, and connectedness.

No easy feat, but if I can do it, so can you.

My Method

Imagine yourself setting out on a long journey, Oregon Trail style.

Well, there are some things you need to ensure are in place. Are your wheels on tight? Do you have food for yourself and your oxen? Water? Security? Do you have a daily routine to keep you on track?

For the calm creator, you need to have a system in place as well. That might mean things like:

Planning and prioritization systems
Mindfulness and self-inquiry practices
Nervous system regulation tools
Connection and support networks
Rest and restoration rituals
Movement and exercise routines
Systems of accountability
Intentional periods for spaciousness and reflection

When we work together, we start by making sure you have a strong foundational system to help you stay calm, regulated, energized, focused, and healthy along the journey.

Not only does this make the whole journey more enjoyable, but it also helps you shift your state to be able to be more productive and make better decisions, increasing the odds that you’ll be successful.

Of course, there are things that come up on your journey that you don’t expect. People drama, market shifts, dysentery…

When something comes up that has you feeling stuck or overwhelmed, we will follow a simple process:

Check in: How are you relating to the problem? Is there a simple solution? Is there something deeper going on that’s triggering you and causing you to lose your composure?
Slow down: If there isn’t a simple solution, and something deeper is going on, we slow down, get curious, and turn toward it (as opposed to avoiding, numbing, or rushing past it).
Unfold: This is where the “magic” happens. As we bring our presence and curiosity, we uncover what’s really going on within you, help you feel the emotions you’ve been avoiding, and help you get back to a place of clarity, calm, and confidence so you can make a conscious decision.

You will learn and practice various methods for self-inquiry and shifting your state, including IFS/parts work, self-inquiry, somatic work, movement, breathwork, and more.

If that sounds like something that will be helpful for you, step into the market below to learn about my various offerings and start getting the support you need to carve your own path from a place of calm, confidence, and joy.

Explore My offerings

My goal is to ensure that any creator and community leader who needs support is able to get it. I offer various services and products to meet folks where they’re at. If you’re unsure about anything, please reach out!

I work with 8-12 clients at a time, where we create a clear plan for our work together over 6-12 months to help you accomplish both your professional and inner development goals. This is my most hands-on, intimate offering, reserved for those who are ready to make a real commitment to their goals, and the changes they want to bring to their life.
To explore coaching, please schedule a 30 minute chemistry call here.
For those who are looking for a more social experience at a lower price point, I run 3-5 mastermind groups at a time. These are groups of 6-10 peers who are at a similar stage as you. I facilitate these groups personally as we work together to help you achieve your professional and personal development goals. In these groups, you’ll get deep social support and have a group of peers along for the journey with you over the long run, with light coaching support from me.

Learn more and signup for masterminds here.
I host 3-4 transformational retreats per year where you will get to gather in person with a group of peers to create space for reflection, do deep work together, and learn practices you’ll be able to take with you into your day-to-day work.
These retreats are invite-only. If you’d like to be the first to know when I announce the next one, please fill out this interest form.

Get In Touch

Watch: Success, Loneliness, Ambition & Why High Performers Never Feel Enough

Listen on Spotify

Watch more of David’s interviews and talks here.

Who I work with

Creators, community leaders, and entrepreneurs who are at an inflection point of growth or transition, are feeling overwhelmed, and know something needs to change
People who are successful on paper but still feel empty, stressed, and unhappy, and are ready to get to the root of what’s important to them
People who are ready to slow down enough to explore their inner world

Who I don't work with

People who aren't interested in slowing down and looking inward, and just want to push past their discomfort
People who only want to grow their business faster and aren't curious about why or what the costs might be
People who aren’t concerned with the impact of their work on themselves, their relationships, and the world

Client Experiences *

“The impact of our coaching has shown up everywhere.”

I lead my department with more intention. I approach executive conversations with greater confidence. I even have more thoughtful conversations with my partner when we disagree. Bonus!

Instead of looking outside myself for the right answer, I've learned to trust my instincts and my community leadership skills while staying open to different perspectives and outcomes.

David created a space where I felt completely seen. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with him, and I recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone looking to grow as both a leader and a person.

Lisa Del Sol, Senior Director, Community
MyHealthTeam

“I'd been intellectually agonizing over a decision for months.”

In one of our early sessions, David guided me through a somatic practice that surfaced the answer my body already knew in about twenty minutes.

I didn't leave coaching as a different person as much as I left as someone who actually understands and likes the person he already is.

If you're in a season of real transition — career, identity, direction — and you want someone who can support and guide you through it, rather than spiraling, stalling, or overthinking — David is the person."

Mark Robinson, CEO, Brandtegic

“David is the most special kind of coach.”

I don’t even know how to describe him to people. His ability to listen, REALLY listen, and gently challenge me with thoughtful questions is unlike any coach I’ve ever worked with. Working with David opened up a whole new world of self-discovery and growth for me. It was an absolute honor.”

Danielle Letayf, CEO and Founder, Badassery

“I cannot overstate how helpful David Spinks has been as my exec coach.”

If you’re in need of a mentor who can unearth your own wisdom when it’s needed, but also tell you what works and what doesn’t when that’s appropriate, he is THE guy.

Greg Larkin, Founder, Punks and Pinstripes

“David has this incredible way of making you feel safe through it all.”

I started working with David to get help growing my community and business, but I ended up getting way more than just practical advice. Being a founder is a wild ride, and every day can feel like a new challenge. He’s not just focused on the business side, he really helped me grow as a person, too. Every session felt like a chance to reflect, get clear on my values, and figure out how to align them with my work. I always left our conversations feeling more grounded and ready to handle whatever came next. If you’re looking for someone who truly gets the ups and downs of leadership and can guide you through it with heart, I can’t recommend David enough.

Maura McInerney-Rowley, Founder, Hello Mortal

“Every session I left with more energy than I came in with”

David was amazing to work with. He is exceptional at pushing you to peel back the layers and figure out the true why behind whatever you're dealing with. I'd highly recommend him to any early or growth-stage founder.

Peter Johann, COO | Co-Founder at Pirros

FAQ

First things first, don't be nervous. This is a very low pressure process. We'll start with a free chemistry call to determine if there’s a mutual fit.

If we’re both excited to explore working together, we’ll do a (free) trial coaching call so you get the real experience.
If, after practicing together, we both feel good about moving forward, we’ll set up a call to define the commitments you’re making to yourself, and the structure of the coaching container.
If at any point you decide it’s not a fit for you, we don’t move forward. No problem.
Ready to get started? You can schedule that chemistry call here: Click Here to Schedule
I customize coaching based on clients’ needs.
Typically, for the first month, we’ll meet weekly to get up to speed.
Once we’re up to speed, we switch to bi-weekly as the default.
If clients need an additional session, occasionally, no problem. There’s no charge for additional sessions between our biweekly sessions. You should truly feel like you have a partner in your corner.
I’m available for my clients asynchronously via email, text, and voice message, and aim to respond within 48 hours (usually much quicker).
I offer three packages:
- Three-month: Long enough to learn the fundamental moves of this practice and experience small but notable shifts in your life and way of being.
- Six-month: Ample time to get to greater depth, and create the conditions for substantial shifts in your life and way of being.
- Twelve-month: Allows for a more transformational and life-altering experience, which tends to happen over the course of years.
When a package completes, we can renew with a new package, or switch to month-to-month, if we feel there is more work to do together.
I offer a range of prices and structures as I believe the right client shouldn't be kept out by budget. So please don’t let budget stop you from reaching out.
We’ll be honest with each other about our needs and limitations. If we can’t find a structure that works for both of us, we don’t move forward.
But when I feel strongly aligned with a client, we almost always find a way forward.