Stress is not the enemy - in fact stress is the stimulus for growth. Rather, the problem is the absence of adequate recovery
Dave Wood is the founder of Integrated Training.
Drawing on 12 years as an Intensive Care Paramedic and Professional Ocean Lifeguard, Dave has spent much of his life operating in demanding environments where the ability to stay calm and think clearly matters.
Today, Dave works with athletes, business leaders, military personnel, and teams to develop the skills required to control stress, recover effectively, and perform consistently when demands are high.
His clients include UFC champions, Emirates Team New Zealand, the New Zealand Warriors, military personnel, and organisations across a wide range of industries.
Dave’s presentations provide people with practical tools they can immediately apply in everyday life.
Whether speaking to corporate teams, sporting organisations, schools, or community groups, Dave’s presentations are practical, engaging, and designed to challenge the way people think about stress, recovery, and performance.
Talking Points
Calm Under Pressure
Develop the skills required to stay calm, think clearly, and perform under pressure.
Calm Under Pressure
Sustainable Peak Performance
Understand the relationship between stress and recovery and learn how to perform consistently over the long term
Sustainable Peak Performance
Leadership Under Pressure
Improve focus, communication, decision-making, and leadership when demands are high.
Leadership Under Pressure
The Performance Paradox
Why pushing harder isn’t always the answer, and why stress control and recovery are essential for sustainable performance.
The Performance Paradox
Calm Under Pressure Workshop
In this workshop you will master practical skills relating to the control of your body and mind’s response to stress and pressure situations. You will learn to gain better control of your mind and ability to regulate stress and pressure in real time so you can respond to situations, thoughts, emotions and life with more clarity and precisionCalm Under Pressure Workshop
You will learn the same mind/body training that we implement with elite level athletes to ensure they can control the mental aspects of performance. However, this workshop is for anybody who is looking to optimise their health and performance whether you’re an athlete, professional a mum or a dad.
You will learn how to control key body systems in dynamic settings to improve endurance, focus, creativity, strength and power.
Online Programme – Performance Breathing Course
The perfect way to enhance Dave’s message following a keynote or workshop—this online programme offers your team a practical and accessible way to build long-term breathing techniques that improve focus, manage stress, and boost recovery.Online Programme – Performance Breathing Course
A science-backed, self-paced course designed to improve both physical and mental performance through targeted breathwork. Participants will learn techniques to stay calm under pressure, strengthen the respiratory system, and balance their nervous system for better resilience and endurance.
Perfect for: Business professionals under pressure, individuals looking to improve stress response, and high performers seeking a physical and mental edge.
Calm Under Pressure Keynote + Workshop
A powerful 3-hour keynote + workshop experience — the perfect balance of inspiration and practical application.Calm Under Pressure Keynote + Workshop
Your team will walk away with tools they can use immediately to shift from reactive to responsive under pressure.
What to Expect:
Presentation: Sustainable Peak Performance
A science-backed breakdown of how to balance stress and recovery for lasting energy, focus, and performance.
Mental Skills Training: Tools You Can Use Anywhere
Hands-on mindset and breathwork drills that can be applied instantly in high-pressure moments.
Digital Access: Online resources covering everything from the session, so participants can revisit key tools and build habits long after the event.
This immersive session condenses Dave’s full-day Calm Under Pressure™ workshop into a tailored, high-impact 3-hour format.
Video
Dave Wood Speaker Reel
Celebrity Speakers Showcase 2025
Are we thinking about stress all wrong? Meet Dave Wood, one of New Zealand’s leading speakers on mental skills training and stress resilience. In this powerful talk, Dave shares why our modern perception of stress is warped—and how stress, when balanced with recovery, is the ultimate fuel for growth, performance, and mental wellbeing. Key Topics Covered in This Video: Why stress isn’t the problem—it’s the stimulus for growth How to balance stress and recovery for peak performance Practical mental skills to regulate your mind and body under pressure The dangers of chronic stress and living “in the red” Why radical ownership of your mental health changes everything Simple strategies to build calmness of mind and resilience Dave’s journey from struggling with confidence after professional setbacks, to positioning himself at the forefront of mental skills development, is proof that no one is born knowing how to manage stress—it’s a skill we can all train. Whether you’re a business leader, athlete, educator, or simply someone navigating life’s daily pressures, Dave offers practical tools to help you thrive, not just survive.Transforming Stress into Strength: Unlocking the Power of Mind and Body Mastery with Dave Wood
MENTAL HEATLH AWARENESS REE
Israel Adesanya's Fight Camp Recovery before UFC 305
Dave Wood - One News
Dave Wood Intensive with Joseph Parker
Dave was a fantastic speaker and brought some fascinating insights to our conference. His presentation style really energised the team and gave us all some awesome tips and tricks to take aw ... keep reading The Advisor Platform NZ
We were inspired by Dave’s talk at our AIA peak performance Summit in his key note speech. His topic was on Move well and think well; his topic opened the eyes of the audience towards the integrated view that your body and mind are a 100% connected. You don’t need to be an athlete to understand Dave’s material; he breaks it down and makes it digestible to any human. If you want peak performance out of your conference attendees; I would recommend Dave as a keynote speaker.
We had the pleasure of having Dave Wood speak to our Waikato Principals Association members. Sometimes you come across professional learning that changes your life, and Dave is a person who does that. He is truly inspiring. His ability to captivate our audience from the very beginning with both passion and clarity is remarkable. From the moment he began, the room was captivated by his message. Dave masterfully combined deep knowledge with compelling storytelling, leaving everyone not only informed but also motivated to take radical ownership in their own lives. His energy, authenticity, and connection with our members made the experience unforgettable. I highly recommend Dave Wood for anyone seeking a speaker who can enlighten, inspire, and leave a lasting impact.
Equipping our people with knowledge, skills and support to take radical ownership of their health and wellbeing is crucial for our people across Lion New Zealand and Australia to be at their best in all areas of their lives. Dave brings a practical and down to earth approach which resonates with all of us. His message is sharp and passion to create change is undeniable. Thank you for your courage in being a 'good bloke' and sharing your learnings with all.
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks for joining us at "A Long Lunch 2026" and the incredible chat you had with Kelly Slater — the GOAT himself. The kōrero was truly exceptional. It was open, raw, honest, and completely unforgettable. You brought such authenticity and ease to the conversation, creating a space where everything flowed naturally. It became one of the standout highlights of the entire experience, and we couldn’t have asked for anything better. Dave , your time, generosity, and the genuine heart you put into everything you do have made a real and lasting impact. We’re incredibly grateful. We cant wait to see what we can all do next!
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story and passion for personal growth with our teams. Growth is both a collective and personal responsibility - one we take very seriously at Kiwibank. Your contribution to the two days will help make us better, which ultimately is good for all of Aotearoa.
Dave was really interactive and relatable. The team really enjoyed his presentation and engagement afterwards. Highly recommend particularly if you are wanting to provide you team with performance and stress management techniques.
Dave was outstanding and the feedback from all of our attendees was how valuable the session was. Dave providing his resource to everyone was fantastic too. His ability to connect with the audience and provide real life contexts especially around stress control which our members found fantastic. All in all a superb presentation and worth every cent.
Dave Wood is a legend. His insights on managing stress and performing under pressure, combined with his raw honesty and practical approach, sparked real conversations and left a lasting impact on everyone at our panel event.
