We recently connected with Douglas Essig and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Douglas, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
You are never truly alone in the room when you have faith in something greater than yourself. There is a deep peace that comes when you know you are living out your calling, even when you cannot see the full picture of where it is heading. I have always felt that this work is something I am not meant to retire from but to live out each day, in every conversation and connection. That sense of purpose is what keeps me going.
When everything begins to align, the science and the spirit meet. The science of being outdoors. The movement. The breath of fresh air. The calm that comes from being surrounded by green and blue spaces. The use of therapeutic techniques that help people uncover and heal. It all works together in ways that continue to amaze me.
I believe that God has positioned me for this purpose. Jesus walked with his disciples, so I walk with my clients. Nature becomes our shared space to talk, to reflect, to move through what we are carrying. It may feel new and outside the box, yet it is as timeless as the beginning of creation itself, when Adam and Eve walked freely in the garden.
To me, this is more than a business. It is a movement. It is a way of reminding people that healing does not have to happen between four walls. It can happen under open skies, through conversation, connection, and faith. Knowing that this vision will continue to grow and that others will one day join in to carry it forward, that lights me up every single day.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
We run a movement called Healing Hobbies, where we lead one-on-one sessions, groups, retreats, and workshops. At our core, we believe that faith, movement, science, and nature can help tip the scales in the opposite direction of where mental health has been heading. Our approach is simple yet deeply rooted in science. We walk alongside our clients, helping them process the emotions and experiences that have been holding them back, and guide them toward becoming the person they are meant to be.
Our Mercedes Sprinter was built with intention—created to handle Florida’s unpredictable weather while offering a creative, comfortable, and inspiring space. Inside, clients can meet, reflect, and design a plan to move forward instead of staying stuck. It’s more than a mobile office; it’s a space that encourages bold thinking, creativity, and peace.
We are expanding into workshops designed for businesses and organizations that pour into others—first responders, teachers, healthcare professionals, and teams that keep our communities strong. We are also preparing to host our first men’s retreat, focused on helping men grow from boys to men through worship, movement, and evidence-based counseling practices.
Healing Hobbies is about unlocking the parts of ourselves we never knew existed. It is about rediscovering purpose, building resilience, and remembering that healing happens when faith and motion meet.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first step for me has always been alignment, really knowing my values, what I want, and what I don’t. Before I could help others find balance, I had to find my own. It started with learning the science and art of both coaching and counseling, understanding how people grow and heal. Then came the creative side, rolling up my sleeves to build out my mobile office by hand. Carpentry and craftsmanship became my way of grounding what I believe in, shaping something tangible that reflected the heart of my work.
But alignment is more than a career or a calling. It is about trusting your internal compass. My values go beyond integrity and honesty; they guide where I work, how I work, and what I prioritize. For me, that means making space for my faith, my family, my friends, and time to reset. I’ve learned that our bodies and minds were never meant for the constant grind. The 9-to-5 structure was created only a generation ago, and it has pulled so many of us out of rhythm with how God designed us to live. When we slow down, move with intention, and reconnect with nature, we start to feel like ourselves again.
The next piece is boldness. You have to be willing to chase your vision with your whole heart, even when no one else sees it yet. Be so committed that people might call you brave or even a little crazy. Surround yourself with people who lift you up but also tell you the truth, because growth happens where encouragement meets honesty.
And then there is patience, the hardest part of all. Learning to trust the process and let things unfold in their time is where the real transformation begins. I am still walking that path every day. But I have learned that when you trust God’s timing and stay rooted in who you are, every detour, every delay, and every challenge points to something higher and deeper that can only be found in Jesus.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
If I could spend my life any way, I would live it exactly as I am now, doing Healing Hobbies, sharing it around the world, and teaching others how to find healing through movement, nature, and faith. I would travel with my wife, walking along the beach, having deep, meaningful conversations, and enjoying the quiet moments that remind us what life is really about.
I would continue spending time with close friends and loved ones, keeping my circle small and intentional so that my energy goes where it matters most. I would give my time to the Lord, serving on missions, and living out my calling each day, whether through my current work or wherever He leads me next.
My hope is to help men become bold, brave, and aligned with who God created them to be. I want to pour into the next generation, raising children who are strong in spirit and full of love. I would go on every adventure with purpose, carrying joy, compassion, and Christ into everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.healinghobbiesjax.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healinghobbiesjax/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-essig-88806bba/
Image Credits
Sharla Hill
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