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Who I Am.
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Real life. Real healing. Real change.
Dan Silvestri.
I'm not a conventional therapist, coach and mindfulness educator/mentor. I’m someone who has lived through breakdowns, betrayal, trauma, heartbreak, and personal transformation - who re-trained, and now walks alongside others.
I founded The Farside Project to help people, emotionally and practically, from the inside out and bottom up. I work with individuals, couples, families, and professionals who want change. Who want to reconnect with themselves and their lives differently, and authentically. Who want to adjust or rebuild their lives beyond internal tensions, doubts, stress, fears, anger, darkness, trauma or stuckness.
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My Story
I grew up inside succesful family run businesses - but behind the scenes was chaotic and abusive. My childhood was marked by emotional neglect, instability, and deep betrayal and fraud at the hands of my father. In my early 20's, my fathers secret second life came to the surface, and almost over night I lost my business, my finances, my home, my family, and all safety and security. Fraudulent activity left me filing for bankruptcy and feeling very alone, despite being in a marriage (which subsequently broke down). I was forced to face a living reality I didn’t expect. The deep emotional, spiritual and practical fallout that led to PTSD, C-PTSD, suicidal tendancies and a series of unhealthy and poor survival strategies. My early start in life began with years ahead of living with inner turmoil, anger and deep suffering as I came to find myself having lost everything I had, along with everything I knew about how the world worked, including all of my hopes and dreams, with nobody around who I could trust or open up with that could provide any level of understanding or help and support.
Music became my first language of healing. I was a passionate singer-songwriter, performing and recording with various bands. Writing, recording and gigging became a way to express what I couldn’t yet say out loud. A true highlight was recording with a close friend at the legendary Abbey Road Studios - it was moments like this that I could let out my energy and inner pain, as well as escape from my reality in the midst of heavy times.
During some of my darkest years, it was music, nature, adventure sports and moments of genuine connection with close friends that quietly held me together. When I had no idea how I was going to be able to move forward, these spaces gave me just enough safety to keep going. Eventually, I found the strength and courage to reach out to a hypnotherapist — and that step marked the beginning of my real journey home to myself, to life, and most importantly a step for me to compassionately begin adjusting to my life, my lived experience, and the way it had all come to be - with deep love, respect and honour.
I explored many forms of counselling and therapy - some were helpful, others less so. What truly transformed me, though, was integrating mindfulness, presence, embodied self-awareness, and spiritual insight into my healing journey.
Alongside this, I had mentorship and coaching, this helped me develop practical tools, solution-focused strategies, and a forward-thinking, action-oriented bigger picture mindset that allowed me to create real, deeper lasting change within myself and my life. I couldn't have done this all on my own - I required a new support network. People who could deeply understand me, who could compassionately walk beside me and who truly wanted to see me be emotionally connected, happy, peaceful and succeed whilst up against it all.
Over time, I trained and became educated in the very modalities and tools that helped me heal and grow: trauma-informed practices, somatic work, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, NLP, and integrative coaching and mentoring. And I choose to deeply listen and positively champion others, when they may not be able to be a champion for themselves or have anyone else in their corner that they can truely open up to, because I know just what a difference that can truly make.
My Business & Barbering Background
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Before dedicating myself fully to healing and coaching, I spent over a decade building and leading successful businesses. From a young age, I was immersed in the world of retail and service - starting with managing local pet shops, and eventually moving into franchise ownership and multi-site business development.
One of my earliest ventures was as a Shakeaway franchisee, where I co-led daily operations, managed staff, and learned firsthand what it takes to run a fast-paced, customer-focused business under a national brand. That experience gave me a strong grounding in leadership, marketing, systems, and service delivery - I was fortunate to have learned many foundational business skills from a very young age, that shaped not only the rest of my business journey, but also helped me move through the dark times of my life.
Later, I co-founded Jack Rabbits Barbers, a high-end barbershop brand that grew into a thriving multi-site business with a standout reputation. I helped train barbers, lead teams, and began co-development of a franchise model to support future growth. A key highlight that I orchestrated was launching a joint venture with John Lewis’ flagship store, where we opened their first-ever in-house barbershop—an innovative collaboration that continues to run today.
As a master barber, I had the privilege of working with an extraordinary range of people - from Premier League footballers, managers, and club staff, to actors, musicians, writers, and artists. I also worked with multi-million-pound business owners to small startups, high-performing professionals, and everyday clients from all walks of life. My shops and chair became more than a place for haircuts - it became a hub and a space for connection, presence, and real human conversation.
Over time, I began weaving mindfulness, wellness, and emotional support into my client relationships - naturally blending service with care. That experience laid the foundation for the work I now do in therapeutic, coaching, and leadership spaces.
As the business grew, a tough crossroads emerged. My business partner wanted to focus on franchising and expansion. I, however, felt called to evolve the barbershop into something deeper - a community-rooted space that offered more than haircuts: a hub for wellbeing, reflection, connection, and personal growth alongside other retail offerings as a destination space. This difference in vision ultimately led me to step away.
That decision was difficult - but pivotal. It opened the door to new possibilities, and ultimately to the healing, coaching, and therapeutic work I now provide.
Today, I bring this lived experience into my work with entrepreneurs, professionals, and organisations - offering a rare combination of business acumen, deep emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed presence. I understand both performance and pressure, and I support clients to lead consciously, grow with clarity and heart, and build sustainable lives and businesses rooted in purpose, integrity, and compassion.
My Work
I now offer a unique, intuitive, and deeply embodied approach to emotional recovery and growth. I work in a way that’s real, relational, and rooted in presence. I don’t offer quick fixes - but I do offer grounded, powerful support that helps people feel safe, seen, and strong again.
Clients may work with me when:
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They've experienced trauma or emotional pain that’s hard to name, but harder to let go or carry.
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They want to rebuild after grief, burnout, breakdown, or betrayal.
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They’re navigating big transitions - personally, relationally, or professionally.
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They're looking to parent from a place of awareness and presence, not patterns and cycles - and wish to consciously raise and develop their child through their early, formative and all developmental years.
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They want to deepen into who they truly are and how they relate to the world.
This work blends mindfulness, embodied awareness, trauma healing, spiritual insight, and real-life practical support. It's for anyone who is serious about change and ready for support that gets to the core, whatever their background, age or belief.
Who I Work With
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Individuals navigating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, or emotional breakdown or burnout
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Individuals who are internally or practically suffering because of their Adverse Childhood Experiences
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Couples and families looking to reconnect, repair or deeply connect, heal and grow together.
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Parents who wish to consciously raise their children (and enjoy their relationship - or co-parent peacefully).
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Professionals in the police, military, NHS, or leadership roles
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Performers and sports athletes, creatives, artists and musicians
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Professionals who are seeking peer mentorship or their own personal space to develop and grow
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Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking clarity, emotional strength, and balance
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People ready to live from a more peaceful, connected and authentic place
And many more - please call if you'd like to check-in and see if I could work with you.
What I believe
I believe that self-awareness is a core piece that helps us develop, heal and grow. That trauma isn’t just in the mind - it’s energy in the body, the nervous system, the heart and the soul. I believe we all have the capacity to return to deep peace, happiness and wholeness when we’re given the right kind of space, skills, tools, and compassionate relationship.
My approach is integrative, intuitive, spiritual, and person-led. I work from the heart - with strength, gentleness, and truth. Together, we work from the bottom-up and inside-out, and with your own direct experience.
Influences, Teachers, Mentors
While much of my healing and growth has come through deep personal work, I’ve also been supported and shaped by wise mentors along the way - people who have held space for me, challenged me, and guided me with compassion, and many I haven't met.
Their presence in my life has been instrumental in helping me become the practitioner I am today. And I know the value of real, trusting relationships in this work.
There are many I won't name who have championed and supoprted me in various ways over the years. But a special appreciation for those who have been fully alongside me with full-hearted compassion, open ears and kindness to offer their support, help and guidance where others wouldn't or couldn't - Rasheed Ogunlaru, Marcus Fellowes and Dr Martin Patrick.
My work has also been shaped by many other mentors, traditions, and teachings, I'd like to specifically highlight: Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jean Klein, Eckhart Tolle, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Alan Watts, Adyashanti, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Dan Millman, Henry Shukman, John Amaechi, The Way of Zen, Many strands of Buddhism, Yoga, Non-dual direct experience, Native American and first nation traditions, and many more.
I’ve also been deeply influenced by sport, music, art, nature, and life itself.
Credentials & Training
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Diploma in Personal Performance Life Coaching (ICF Accredited)
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NLP Practitioner Certificate in Hypnotherapy (IAPCP Accredited)
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Certificate in Trauma-informed Coaching (CPD Accredited)
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Certified Integrative Therapy Practitioner Training (Psychedelics - Vital)
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Certified Integrative Therapy Facilitator Training (Psychedelics - Essence Institute)
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(MBSR) Mindfulness & Embodied Awareness and Stress Relief Modalities
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Positive Intelligence & Somatic Approaches
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TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (RQF Accredited)
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Level 3 Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (City & Guilds)
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Certified Coaching for Effective Work Life Balance (CPD Accredited)
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Certified DISC Profiling (CPD Accredited)
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Certified CPD Credits: Exploring Coachability (CCE Accredited)
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Positive Intelligence (Programme)
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VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Barbering (NVQ)
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Wet Shaving, Waxing & Massage (Certificate)
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5+ years of personal mentorship.
Why The Farside Project?
Because we often meet ourselves fully on the far side of pain, uncertainty, or change. This space exists to help others come home to themselves again - with true and authentic kindness, wisdom, and truth.
If you’re ready for a journey that’s honest, deep, and transformational - I’d love to walk alongside you and be a trusting and truthful honest part of your support network.
My Mission, Vision, Purpose, Dream & Hope
A Deeper Thought on Inclusive Access and Support
When navigating life’s deeper challenges, who's in your corner and who do you turn to? Not everyone needs or wants for labels or diagnosis - many simply need to feel safe, be heard and compassionately supported by someone who truly sees them.
Many people struggling with deeper emotional or life challenges often find themselves caught in systems that feel clinical, slow, or impersonal. While there is immense value in the expertise of psychiatrists, psychologists, and registered mental health professionals, the reality is that these services can be bound by red tape, long waitlists, or narrow or re-traumatising or stigmatising diagnostic frameworks. People aren’t always looking for a diagnosis, label or medication (I certainly wasn't) - they’re often looking for connection, insight, space to feel and process, and gain real, practical guidance from someone who understands life.
That’s where I hope to come in. I offer an integrative, trauma-informed, and embodied professional approach that’s also grounded in real human experience - I also carry western & eastern science, philosophy and theory (and I may offer clients some education along the way). I’ve lived through trauma and recovered through mindfulness practice as well as bottom-up - inner healing work. Professionally, I've trained in multiple disciplines to understand the mind, as well as the mind-body connection to safely guide others through their complex, and far too often stigmatised and miss-understood inner journeys as best as I can!
I’m certainly not a replacement for clinical care work when it’s needed - but I am a credible professional, and deeply experienced option for people who want holistic, person-centred, emotionally intelligent support that meets them where they are, and someone willing to travel with them through their life journey.
This was the kind of support that was missing for me.
And for many others, this is the kind of support that’s been missing for them.
With kindness, Dan silvestri.
Welcome!
Do you have any questions for me?
