Embracing my life's journey: A Story of Personal Growth, Resilience and Compassion

As I turn 43 this week, I find myself reflecting deeply on my journey.

Birthdays, to me, are not just markers of age; they are levels in the game of life, each bringing new challenges, opportunities, and growth.

Reaching this new level has inspired me to connect with you, sharing the experiences and lessons that have shaped who I am today.

After my high school graduation, we were celebrating, drinking in the forest, when a chaotic event unfolded.

A guy, chased and attacked with beer bottles, ran over my car and was eventually stabbed in the back, lying in front of me.

In that moment, I never imagined that my life would lead me to travel to 20 countries, write 10 books, work with some of the world’s most inspirational business leaders, share stages with renowned speakers, and achieve what once seemed impossible.

This journey has been filled with success, challenges, and transformational personal growth, for which I am incredibly grateful.

Many years later, I was hit head on by a drunk hit-and-run driver whilst taking on a cycling challenge across the U.K. with one of my coaching clients and raising money for a charity.

My life took a dramatic turn after that incident, which I now see as a spiritual awakening.

This pivotal moment pushed me to dive deeper into my truth, embracing massive uncertainty along the way.

Through 20 years of coaching, I’ve developed practices that help me regain my certainty when it wavers.

This inner strength—resilience and certainty—has become my most powerful asset.

It allows me to remain calm, focused, and driven, regardless of external chaos, and to live each day with vision and purpose.

I began coaching two decades ago for two reasons.

First, personal development had transformed my life, showing me that anyone can achieve their full potential through inner work.

True fulfillment is not about external success but about cultivating a strong inner game.

I call this spiritual fitness. Discovering tools and techniques that cultivate growth and sharing these insights with others became my passion.

Second, my own experiences with suffering fueled my desire to help others.

My mother, a true warrior, taught me resilience, while my father’s tragic suicide when I was 13 ignited my mission to alleviate suffering.

I believe that if my father had known what I know now about mindset, habits and more of what I have studied over the last two decades, he might still be here today.

This mission has driven me to help people thrive and find relief from their suffering.

Over the years, I’ve worked with individuals from all walks of life—teenagers battling addiction, international artists lacking purpose, and millionaires struggling with unhappiness.

Suffering is universal, but as Buddhism teaches through the Four Noble Truths, we can end our own suffering and find a path to peace and fulfillment.

Compassion, I believe, is the answer to every problem in the world.

The greatest leadership is compassionate leadership, and it begins with self-compassion.

This is why I am passionate about working with compassionate business leaders—high achievers committed to physical, mental, and spiritual mastery.

These leaders are willing to face themselves, embrace self-compassion, and cultivate mental performance techniques that bring them clarity, confidence, and certainty.

They strive to be the best for themselves, their families, their businesses, their communities, and the world.

I want to inspire you to reflect on your journey.

Are you living your full potential?

Do you have the clarity, confidence, and certainty you desire?

If not, I invite you to reach out and explore how coaching can transform your life.

Let’s work together to unlock your highest potential and live a life aligned with your deepest values and mission.

As I step into my "Level 43"... I'm reinvented, reinvigorated and ready to guide you on your path to greatness.

Embrace your journey, overcome your challenges, and create a life filled with purpose, fulfilment, and impact.

With gratitude and unwavering certainty,

JPDV (The Iron Monk)