My mindful leadership journey
If it resonates, let’s connect.
From underdog to mindful leadership coach
I know what it’s like to chase success, push through stress, and hit the limits of ambition. My journey – from leading fast-paced digital businesses to stepping into mindful leadership – has been shaped by personal breakthroughs, failures, and deep transformation.
The early hustle
Growing up in a working-class family in the countryside, I was the first to attend university. With no roadmap, role model or mentor, I had to figure things out on my own. I was driven – top of my class, eager to prove myself. But my first real taste of the working world was humbling: I was fired from my first job after just a few months. I felt shocked, insecure and ashamed.
That setback fueled my determination. I landed a role at Google, where I started as an underperformer but quickly turned things around, winning awards and promotions. This external success, however, masked a growing inner unease.
Thrown into the deep end
I was recruited to become CMO in a highly toxic environment. The pressure and negativity nearly led to burnout – my first real brush with the dark side of leadership. I quit during my probationary period, grappling with anxiety and uncertainty.
Soon after, I joined another young and rising digital travel company as the VP of marketing and eventually became COO, leading vision, strategy, and large-scale operations. This marked a turning point. It was a period of maturation and inner growth. I stopped feeling the need to constantly prove myself, at least professionally. The underdog story began to lose its grip. But not right away.
Cracks in the system
First I had to learn many hard lessons from being exposed to the realities of a high drama, low trust culture and my very own personal leadership struggles. I witnessed firsthand the disastrous effects of a poorly executed reorganization, which was my responsibility. The “big bang” approach gone wrong – and the slow, painful process of rebuilding trust and culture.
Having hard conversations was difficult for me. Managing internal conflicts felt overwhelming. I made wrong decisions and had to pay the price. And when I hit burnout, it hit hard.
A shift towards mindfulness
That moment forced deep self-inquiry: How can I lead more effectively?
I had to start with myself first. Already having embarked on a personal quest for happiness and aliveness earlier – it was time to make it a priority. A heartbreak became a catalyst for a profound perspective shift. I began to look inwards, realizing that “the way out is in.” This marked the start of my journey towards mindfulness. I picked up meditation, immersed myself in buddhist teachings, and embraced practices like breathwork, radical honesty and self love.
I began a deep personal journey, seeking wisdom beyond traditional business playbooks.
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Silence & Reflection: Daily self-practice, silent and darkness retreats
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Spiritual Exploration: Vision quests, plant medicine dieta
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Mindfulness & Presence: Training in meditation, yoga, and breathwork
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Masculine Development: Men’s work, exploring archetypes of mature masculinity
Slowly, my approach to leadership transformed. I let go of control, learned to trust, and prioritized internal growth over external validation.
The Leader’s Journey – From Manager to Multiplier
I became passionate about people and leadership development, focused on shared values, cultivated a culture of appreciation, introduced mindful practices, started mentoring initiatives, and explored innovative ways to empower individuals.
Leadership, I realized, isn’t about proving myself. It’s about presence, clarity, and empowerment. It’s about showing up fully – with transparency, courage, consistency, and vulnerability. And ultimately, making myself redundant by elevating those around me.
A new kind of leadership
Many people in leadership positions struggle with the same challenges I faced:
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Feeling the weight of responsibility without a clear support system
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Navigating uncertainty, stress, and imposter syndrome
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Leading fast-past teams without time and space for self-reflection
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Balancing pressure and ambition with personal well-being
That’s why I started coaching. I work with founders, executives, and emerging leaders who seek more than just business success – they want clarity, confidence, and purpose.
My mission is to help leaders cultivate mindful leadership in the dynamic world of digital business and startups. Through my coaching programs, I help them develop emotional intelligence, build strong teams, and create a positive impact. I believe that true leadership comes from within, and I'm passionate about supporting others on their own journey of self-discovery and growth.
My journey, with its highs and lows, led me here. It’s a journey of continuous learning, growth, and integration. Leadership isn’t just about getting ahead – it’s about showing up fully, for yourself and those you lead. If that resonates, let’s connect.
Mindful leadership is leading from the inside out. It starts with really getting to know yourself.
My professional background
My experience spans corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and deep inner work – bridging the worlds of business strategy and mindful transformation.
COO (Chief operating officer), HolidayPirates GmbH, 2015-2021
Led 150 people across 8 departments with full P&L responsibility. Created a more empowered and value-driven organization by focusing on culture transformation, people & leadership development and strategic alignment.
Co-Founder, Breath Immersion, 2022-now
Launched a breathwork organization offering retreats, group workshops, and individual sessions, harnessing the healing power of breath. So far, we’ve hosted five retreats for over 70 participants, with two more planned for 2025.
Industry Manager, Google, 2010-2015
Spent five years in commercial roles across multiple locations, consulting clients from various industries on online marketing strategy. Worked hard and developed from Account Associate to Industry Manager.
Co-Founder, Ondara.now (alpha), 2023-now
Currently developing an online platform to connect people with events, trainings, and retreats centered on mindfulness, wellness, and consciousness expansion. Still in its early phase – open to collaborators. Reach out if you're interested.
Co-Founder, Wild Oasis Retreat, 2022 & 2023
Created a retreat center and conscious guest house in the mountains of the Algarve Portugal. Hosted retreats, workshops and gatherings, where holistic practices were shared. Wild Oasis became a sanctuary for hundreds of people seeking rest, inspiration, and transformation.
Holding Men's retreats and circles, 2022-now
Creating spaces where men can come together in truth and authenticity – shedding outdated societal expectations and stepping into mature masculinity. Through this work, we cultivate both strength and softness, courage and vulnerability, wisdom and compassion.
Coaching & mentoring
I am a certified professional Transformational Coach with training from the Mindful Talent Coaching Academy. Learning from decades of coaching methodologies, neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and social studies and combining it with my own 15 years of experience as business leader, founder and mindfulness practitioner enabled me to design and deliver a coaching program that supports powerful professional and personal growth.
My certification is accredited by the Association for Coaching (AC), a globally recognized independent professional body established in 2002. With members in over 80 countries, the AC brings together professional coaches, academic institutions, and training providers to uphold the highest standards in coaching.
Inspiration & studies
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Certified Coach
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Certified Breathwork Facilitator
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Certified Yoga Teacher
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Certified Mens Work Facilitator
Mindful leaders
What they’re saying
Michał Piasecki
Founder Tylko (Series-C: €100mln)
"I know Dom in three roles: as the co-founder of Ondara, a breathwork facilitator, and a friend. Working with him has been a great mix of professionalism, clarity, and a sense of ease. He brings solid experience and thoughtful insight to every conversation. I’m confident that his mindful leadership sessions offer real value to those who take part."
Miia Godwin
Art Director at Serrala
"I was privileged to have experienced Dominik's leadership coaching during the years I worked with him. He has helped me to discover my strengths as a leader and how to bring the best out of me with a clear action plan. I would totally recommend Dominik’s leadership coaching to anyone who is either becoming a leader or wanting to improve themselves further."
Martin Zinkweg
Head of Marketing at Lecturio
"Dominik is hands-down the best lead I've worked with so far, and I owe a lot of my professional development to his mentorship. He coached me throughout the process of being a team lead, to managing other team leads, challenging but never micro-managing, all while keeping up daily business results. He's empathetic, supportive, analytical, caring, and all around a cool person, and if I have the opportunity to work together with Dominik again in the future I'd jump on that immediately."
Mindful leaders