A different way of being 🌀
Today, fittingly as we celebrate the Celtic festival of Bealtaine, I am very excited to launch Crua Camino — A Sanctuary in the Mountains (Díseart na Sléibhte).
This is a fire that has long been burning in me.
In September 2024 I bought a cabin and some land in the mountains of Asturias, a beautiful Celtic region in the North of Spain. I had a vivid dream to create the Crua Camino—a sanctuary for connection, creativity, outdoor adventure and shared experience.
Now I’m working to renovate and prepare it to welcome people. We are aiming to host small groups by summer 2027.
If this project resonates with you, I’d really appreciate your support—whether that’s contributing or simply sharing, it may connect with someone.
This is the beginning of something I’m giving my life to. As always, my commitment is wholehearted and unrelenting.
By supporting Crua Camino, you’re not just funding a renovation—you’re helping to create a space where people can reconnect, reflect, and experience something deeper.
Our mission is to cultivate collaborative, spiritual experiences through nature connection, social connection and physical work.
Guided by this we hope to have a sincere impact on the lives of others and the nature that sustains us.
Buíochas libh/Gracias/Thank you for helping me to plant the first seeds.
This page will document the evolution of the Crua Camino. We are all part of it.
“We create the environment; you create the experience.”
The donation link 🔗 is in the bio.
Please follow the page & share if you are comfortable to do so.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.
Fill arís ar do chuid.
Believe in the magic of your dreams.
#humanexperience #asturias #nature #celtic #returnagain
MDS 2025 - Personal Reflection.
Humility is the child of experience.
Humble in my approach. I have gained an incredible experience.
The most challenging but most fulfilling thing I have ever done. A spiritual journey, adventure, a self supported voyage across the dunes and plains of the majestic Sahara desert.
A moment that was 9 months in the making.
In memory of Daniel Sampson RIP 17/06/2024, our ancestors and to raise mental health awareness.
Thank you for being with me Dan. We have crossed the barren desert. Your spirit gave me strength. You are now forever part of the vastness and beauty of the Sahara.
I buried some of Dan’s ashes at the finish line in what I can merely attempt to adequately articulate as the most profoundly beautiful, present and intense moment of my life.
The goals I set out at the start…
1. To complete MDS with strength, honour & integrity.
I have done it. Maith an fear.
2. To raise at least €30,000 for @thegavinglynnfoundation and @mentalhealthireland
The fundraiser closed today.
WE HAVE DONE IT. TOTAL RAISED €64,818.78!!!
3. To LIVE this experience.
I have lived, learned, endured, persevered, grown and loved through this experience. The connection with self, others, nature and god was magical.
I have a deeper sense of self trust, self acceptance, understanding and compassion for myself. Often my own harshest critic I am very grateful for this.
A question I place divine importance on …
“To what service is my soul committed?”
I have deeper clarity on the answer.
My soul is committed to integrity, curiosity, courage, exploration, improvement of self and having a positive impact on the lives of others.
That is what my life is dedicated to every waking day I am blessed with. For however long that is I will never stop moving forward. I will never stop living. I will never stop giving. I will never stop loving. I am relentless.
Never take for granted the opportunity you have. Never underestimate the impact you can have.
Do your best. Don’t give up.
NO HALF MEASURES.
Another chapter of the never ending story has been written.
@mdslegendary Hasta la vista. I’ll be back.
Inshallah.
Marathon des Sables 2025 🏜️
Please take 3 mins to watch the video 🙏
I am running the 2025 @mdslegendary marathon in aid of @thegavinglynnfoundation & @mentalhealthireland .
The WHY is the explained in the video.
My goals 🎯
1. Complete the MDS.
2. Raise at least €30,000.
3. To LIVE the experience.
🚨
I am asking for your help whether that be a DONATION (link in bio up ☝🏻) or simply SHARING THE VIDEO with as many people as you can.
This is going to be a journey of hope & an expression of love, dedicated to those that are no longer with us and those of us in struggle.
RIP Daniel Sampson 🕊️
Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam.
Donation link in bio ☝🏻
Thank you @jimmy.hawkshaw for 📸
#love #mentalhealth #mdschallenge #marathondessables #fundraising #fundraiser #ultrarunning #hope
Hello 👋 Conas atá tú ?
🗓️ 16/05/2026
Tomorrow I’ll be at Olives café ,Red Stables
🌳 St. Anne’s park from 10:00 for @mentalhealthireland ‘Hello, how are you ?’ campaign.
If you’re doing the park run pop over for a coffee and a chat after !
Hello, How Are You? is about connecting with those around us and engaging in open conversations about mental health. It’s about asking the question, ‘How Are You?’ with meaning, and really listening to the response.
This campaign is built on a simple but powerful idea: that a genuine “Hello, How Are You?” can be the start of meaningful connection, understanding, and support.
Whether you’re chatting with a friend, a colleague, a neighbour, or even a stranger, asking “how are you?” – and truly listening to the answer – can help reduce stigma around mental health and remind us all that we’re not alone. Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest difference.
You don’t need to be an expert to have a meaningful conversation. By using the HELLO Steps you can feel supported in asking the question. Let’s make saying Hello and asking How Are You? an everyday question that keeps us connected.
H: hello
E: engage
L: listen
L: learn
O: options
#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthireland #talk #listen
Coaching spots now available ⚠️
I am taking on a limited number of online coaching clients and offering private/ semi-private personal training out of @fightrdublin
Personal training slots will be available during the day or from 8pm on weekdays.
If you are interested in …
Running, strength and conditioning, functional movement, high intensity interval training, team sports or general health and wellbeing. Coaching/ programs will be designed to meet your individual needs.
My professional experience and background:
⚪️ Sport Science and Health BSc (Hons)
⚪️ Athletics Ireland Level 1 Coach
⚪️ 10 years experience coaching in high performance sport; expertise in youth athletic development, functional movement, endurance sports
⚪️ Learned and trained mental resilience through courageous challenge
⚪️ Modeling physical challenges for holistic personal development
⚪️ Retreat and group facilitation through physical and emotional challenges
⚪️ Coaching background: team sports, boxing, hiking, outdoor adventure, long distance and ultra running
DM for more info or book in for a free consultation via the link 🔗 in bio.
My hope is to be merely a stepping stone on your journey to know thyself, your true self and your limitless potential through sincerely courageous challenges.
I will be there with you.
#coaching #personaltrainerdublin #onlinecoach
Miles n’ Smiles 😁 #30
Plenty of Miles n’ Smiles over the bank holiday weekend.
From the packed streets of Dublin on Sunday for @dublincityhalfmarathon to a solo Miles n’ Smiles along the seafront yesterday morning.
Both beautiful in their own right. Nature connection, social connection and physical activity to raise mental health awareness.
Connection to self should never be overlooked as social connection. Tabhair aire and look after yourself.
Next event will be part of @mentalhealthireland ,
Hello 👋 how are you ?
This campaign is built on a simple but powerful idea: that a genuine “Hello, How Are You?” can be the start of meaningful connection, understanding, and support.
🗓️
Saturday 16/05/2026, 11:00
📍
St. Anne’s Park 🌳
#mentalhealthireland #mentalhealthawareness
Moroccan dates 🇲🇦
April 2026.
“Stars, the GPS of the nomad”
People that are respectful of, connected to and led by the land that sustains them. We are part of it not separate from it.
Fill arís.
Miles n’ Smiles #30 😁
Miles n’ Smiles is back this Monday at 09:00 on the seafront in Clontarf.
🗓️ Monday 04/05/2026, 09:00
📍 Clontarf Seafront, starting at Lott’s
A fun run/ walk & talk to raise mental health awareness through social connection, nature connection and movement.
Aligned with @mentalhealthireland vision we are passionate about and committed to educating, empowering and connecting communities.
Everybody is welcome, we all smile in the same language.
If you are doing the @dublincityhalfmarathon this is the perfect opportunity to kickstart the recovery. Shuffle along the seafront!
—
On the 16/05 in St. Anne’s Park 🌳 we will be hosting a Hello, How are you? Event.
It will be a social walk & talk engaging in an open conversation about #mentalhealth
This National campaign is built on a simple but powerful idea: that a genuine “Hello, How Are You?” can be the start of meaningful connection, understanding, and support.
Listening with the same intent we would like to be heard. It is the greatest gift you can give someone.
More details will be shared after Mondays 😁
#hellohowareyou
Life on the other side of @mdslegendary
It was amazing to be part of the capillary network of the 40th anniversary. An endurance event in its own right.
Unequivocally what made it so special was the people. Participant and volunteer (blue, orange, beige).
As an Irishman, ‘grand’ is often the response when asking someone how they are feeling.
When asking the same question over there, you get a story. We all have one to tell.
It is hard to explain the fulfilment and warmth that comes with working in a community like this but easily understood when you feel it.
On day 5 I was tail walking from CP3 to CP4 with my friend and fellow blue jacket, Simon, affectionately known as monsieur Halliday. The conversation that ensued is one of my fondest memories of the week.
He told me of a similar conversation he had with another blue jacket, Rabie, a few days previously. Rabie has a smile that gives you a hug.
Speaking on the personal impact our experience was having, Rabie gave it clarity that resonated…
“You give people water in the desert, you are the giver of life”
I believe what you give comes back to you. Consequently, this experience has given me plenty of life in return.
The conundrum for next year?
To run or volunteer?
Alhamdulillah.
As Lao Tzu said, “the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” That initial and I believe single most important step is commitment.
Our team took that step back in June when they signed up for the @mdslegendary and our @ironmindinstitute program.
Last August, 8 months of toil, introspection, reflection and ultimately growth began.
On Saturday 11/04/2026 7 of our team of 9 completed the 270km, 40th edition of the MdS.
The MdS is a special feat of mental and physical endurance but also an incredibly emotional, human and spiritual experience that only those who have walked the way and traversed the dunes will understand.
Cherish what you have achieved, give it time to assimilate, but do not let it perish your ambition.
It is our hope for our athlete’s that one of the learnings from this journey and the Ironmind philosophy is that they will continue to do hard things with meaningful and purposeful endeavour. The rewards are extraordinary, often inexplicable. It reveals our soul, our true self and the strength of our inner being.
Never take for granted the opportunity you have. Never underestimate the impact you can have.
Do your best. Don’t give up.
“It is your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”
– Rumi
Reminiscent of the saying that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. The irony in this instance is that we led these horses of men to the Sahara Desert. They ate, drank, endured, persevered and prevailed. Each with their own personal meaning for doing so.
I hope the beauty of this experience will have an enduring impact on us. We are grateful to have lived it and walked the way with them.
This is a tribute to them.
Comghairdeas agus buíochas libh. Fíor laochra.
#tribute #team #mdslegendary
Congratulations to our 2026 Marathon des Sables Team who complete the brutal 270km course yesterday and bring to a close an amazing 8 month journey.
#foreverstriving
