About Me - Andy Mackenzie
Founder of Dare2Become | Holistic Coach | Author | Breathwork Facilitator | Wim Hof Instructor | Performance Mindset
Welcome to Dare2Become, a transformational coaching space where I help individuals break free from limitations, rediscover their inner strength, and create a life they truly love. Because I know first-hand what it means to overcome life’s toughest challenges.
My Journey: From Adversity to Empowerment
My story is one of resilience, transformation, and the pursuit of purpose. I’ve lived multiple lives - each shaping me into the coach, mentor, and facilitator I am today.
I grew up on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by nature, the sea, and a deep curiosity about life. But my childhood was far from easy. I spent years searching for a sense of belonging, driven by an absent mother, who had left when I was five, and a lack of love from my step-mother.
That longing for connection led me on a life-changing journey to Italy to find my mother when I was 18 - a pivotal moment that shaped my understanding of identity, resilience, and the power of healing.
That journey was both heart-breaking and transformative. I realised that true belonging isn’t about where you come from - it’s about finding peace within yourself. That lesson became a guiding force in my life, pushing me to explore human potential, emotional resilience, and the strength of the mind and body.
Discipline, Performance & Breaking Mental Barriers
My pursuit of purpose led me to join the British Army, where I served in the Household Cavalry - The Life Guards, developing discipline, resilience, and a deep understanding of mental and physical endurance. Whilst still serving in the British Army, I became a full-time British athlete in Modern Pentathlon, competing at an elite level, at World & European Championships, and constantly testing my limits.
After my competitive career finished, I transitioned into coaching, and was in the process of transferring into the Army Physical Training Corps. However, I had just reached my 12 year point and decided to leave the Army to pursue my dreams and be with my family more.
I started off as a personal trainer, working with high-profile clients and even owning my own gym. From the outside, it looked like I had everything figured out. But on the inside, I was battling depression, overwhelm, and a sense of emptiness that no achievement could fill.
The Breaking Point & My Transformation
Life pushed me to my limits - I experienced severe depression, attempted suicide twice, admitted to a mental hospital, and was eventually diagnosed with Bipolar I. For years, I wrestled with self-doubt, destructive patterns, and the weight of expectations, both internal and external.
After a lot of talking therapies, I hit a turning point. I realised that healing wasn’t about “fixing” myself - it was about rediscovering who I truly was. I turned back to my 3 pillars - Sleep, Nutrition and Exercise - and for a while, life was good again.
I moved to Dublin to take over as the Performance Director for the Irish Modern Pentathlon Association, working with some very talented athletes. I tried to be everything I wished my coaches had been, and made sure that our program put the athletes at the very heart of everything. It worked... we had incredible success, winning World & European Championships and medals... and having Irelands best ever Olympic results at Rio in 2016.
I moved to Dublin to take over as the Performance Director for the Irish Modern Pentathlon Association, working with some very talented athletes. I tried to be everything I wished my coaches had been, and made sure that our program put the athletes at the very heart of everything. It worked... we had incredible success, winning World & European Championships and medals... and having Irelands best ever Olympic results at Rio in 2016.
Success Didn’t Mean Happiness: My Time in Ireland as a Performance Director
From the outside, everything seemed perfect. I was "successful" - but I actually wasn’t OK!
Despite the experience, achievements, and outward success, I still found myself battling waves of depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness. I had spent years optimising physical performance, but I had never truly addressed my mental and spiritual health.
It was then that I realised: I needed a deeper solution.
I had pushed myself to extremes in training, competition, and leadership, but I had never truly learned how to calm my mind, regulate my emotions, and find inner peace. That realisation led me to seek out alternative methods of healing and self-mastery - which is how I discovered the Wim Hof Method and breathwork.
Discovering the Power within YOU!
My first experience with cold water immersion and conscious breathing was life-changing. For the first time in years, I felt clear, focused, and fully present. My Bipolar brain was silent!
I learned that breathwork wasn’t just about carbon dioxide and oxygen - it was about rewiring the nervous system, reducing stress, and building mental resilience. Cold exposure wasn’t just about physical endurance - it was about learning to stay calm under pressure, both in ice and in life.
This journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation became part of my personal tool kit, and gave me the clarity and balance I needed to step into my authentic self.
I knew that if these methods could help me - after years of struggle, burnout, and chasing external success - they could help anyone.
I became a certified Wim Hof Instructor, a qualified Breathwork Facilitator, a Transformational Life Coach, and developed a framework to share these tools with others.
Through Dare2Become, I now help people break through their own barriers, overcome mental roadblocks, and step into a life of clarity, balance, purpose, and confidence.
What I Offer:
I am passionate about breathwork, mindset, cold immersion therapy, performance coaching as tools for self-mastery and resilience. Through my work, I offer:
- Wim Hof Method® Workshops – Learn to harness the power of breathwork and cold exposure for increased resilience, energy, and well-being.
- Breathwork Facilitation – Transform stress, anxiety, and emotional blockages through guided breathwork techniques.
- 1:1 Life Coaching – Using the D.A.R.E. framework, I help clients navigate major life transitions, overcome self-doubt, and build a life they truly love.
- Retreats, Events, & Workshops – Deep-dive experiences in nature, incorporating movement, breathwork, and mindset training.
- Corporate Wellness Programs – Helping teams and leaders enhance resilience, reduce stress, and improve performance.
- Sports Performance Workshops & Mentoring – Supporting athletes, coaches, and teams with mental resilience, breathwork, and recovery strategies to optimise performance and well-being.
Please explore these services by clicking on the links.
Why I Do This Work:
I know what it’s like to feel stuck, lost, and disconnected from your true self. I also know that transformation is possible because I’ve lived it.
My mission is to help you reclaim your power, step into your authentic self, and create a life you’re excited to wake up to every day.
Whether you’re seeking clarity, balance, or a complete mindset shift, Dare2Become is here to support you... as is our growing community of likeminded people 😊🙏✨