Constantly stressed about work? let’s change that.
I coach founders and executives to help them get to the root of their suffering and experience more joy, connection, and ease
My Approach to Coaching
Clients who come to me have already tried the strategy and tactics. They’ve read all the business and self-help books. And yet, they continue to suffer and struggle to bring their best self to the world. They’re ready for a different approach.
Chronic stress, burnout, and creative emptiness don't show up out of nowhere. They're signals. Usually, they're pointing to something specific. Stop me if any of these sound familiar:
You can't stop working. Slowing down feels like a threat, even when you know you need to. Your sense of self has become tied to productivity and achievement.
You regularly feel like you have to be someone you're not. Every day involves some version of compromising what you actually need or believe.
The work used to mean something. It used to inspire you. Now it just feels soul-sucking. You've lost the thread of why any of this matters and what it feels like to have fun at work.
You’re constantly overwhelmed with the amount of work on your plate. The pile of tasks is never-ending, and you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.
The work we do together is slowing down enough to take an honest look at what’s actually going on.
What's driving the stress? Why does stopping feel so damn scary? What patterns are contributing to you being in this situation? What are you building toward, and does it still make sense to you?
This isn't therapy. But it isn't typical business coaching either. It's a specific kind of work that requires you to be willing to look inward, at your patterns, your motivations, and the stories you've been telling yourself about what success requires, so you can finally reorient your relationship to work back toward freedom, joy, and alignment.
It’s confronting work. Some clients quit because they aren’t willing to slow down or look inward. They still think they can just push through.
The ones who are willing to stick with it experience profound shifts. The stress doesn't disappear, but they stop being run by it. They make decisions from a clearer place. Their nervous system finally gets a break. Work starts to feel like something they're choosing rather than something happening to them, whether that's in their current role or somewhere new.
I've been in the stress, the burnout, the creative emptiness myself. I know how hopeless it can all feel. It took hitting rock bottom to finally get me to face my demons and make a change. Now I know what becomes possible when you stop pushing through it and turn toward what’s going on inside you.
If that's where you are, and you're ready to do this work, let’s talk.
Further reading: Dirty Fuel vs Clean Fuel
Who I work with
Founders, executives, and solopreneurs who are overwhelmed, chronically stressed, or burned out, and know something needs to change
People who are successful on paper but feel empty, hollow, or disconnected from why they're doing it
People at a crossroads — leaving a company, pivoting direction, or ready to blow it all up
People who sense their motivations for success aren't clean and are willing to examine that
People who are ready to slow down enough to explore their inner world
Who I don't work with
People who just want frameworks, tactics, and business advice and aren't interested in looking inward
People who only want to grow their business faster and aren't curious about why or what is “enough”
People who just want immediate results and are looking for quick-fix coaching
People who are fully committed to the "sacrifice everything for success" narrative and don't question it
People who aren’t concerned with the impact of their work on themselves, their relationships, and the world
Watch: Success, Loneliness, Ambition & Why High Performers Never Feel Enough
Watch more of David’s interviews and talks here.
A son of two immigrant parents, I’ve been seeking achievement and belonging since I was a little kid.
I spent 15 years building companies, managing teams, and leading communities. I co-founded CMX, which grew into the world's largest network of community professionals. We scaled to over 20,000 leaders globally, grew our annual summit to 1,000+ attendees, and eventually sold to a software company, Bevy.
Along the way, I wrote The Business of Belonging (Wiley, 2021), a guide to making community a competitive advantage. It's been read by thousands, translated to multiple languages, and has become a go-to resource for founders, teams, and strategists at companies ranging from early-stage startups to Meta and Google.
On paper, I was quite successful. But a few years after the acquisition, I was running on empty. I felt disconnected from my work and my life. My feelings of not-enoughness had me perpetually pushing, proving, and achieving. I could build things on that dirty fuel, but the costs were adding up.
So I stepped away to explore the question, “What does it look like to live and work more consciously and sustainably?”
That led me to meditation, therapy, coaching, and formal training in several modalities. In my coaching containers, I bring in my experience as a founder, community leader, and operator, as well as my training and experience in Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic work, Aletheia coaching, Zen practice, meditation, and breathwork.
What I learned is this: you don't have to choose between building something ambitious and taking care of yourself in the process. In fact, the leaders who do both, who work on their strategy and their inner patterns, build better companies with stronger teams and longer runways, and live more joyful and fulfilling lives.
I'm now committed to helping other entrepreneurs and leaders learn what I had to learn the hard way: how to shift from dirty fuel to clean fuel, so you can bring your gifts to the world without burning out.
In addition to coaching, I’m a dad of three beautifully feral children, a husband to the world’s #1 middle school math teacher, an avid hiker, a hooper (ball is life), a meditator, and a complex human with many quirks and contradictions.
My Journey
What Clients Are Saying *
What Clients Are Saying *
“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
FAQ
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First things first, don't be nervous. We'll start with a free chemistry call to determine if there’s a mutual fit.
If we decide to move forward, you’ll get a thorough onboarding to help us get up to speed, reflect on your current state, and get clear on your goals.You can schedule that chemistry call here: Click Here to Schedule
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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).
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I ask for a six-month commitment to allow time for the work to unfold. After that, you can choose to conclude at any time with a 30-day notice.
Client engagements range. Some clients feel complete after six months, and I’ve worked with others for years.
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My standard rate is $3,500/month.
This includes all calls and asynchronous support, regardless of how many calls we do in a month.
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Note: For clients who are earlier in their journey or require assistance, I offer sliding scale pricing.
I believe the right client shouldn't be kept out by budget, and the right investment should reflect the value of what we're building together. If you're unsure, let's talk.
You can see my sliding scale pricing options here.
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