Meet Derek McNulty
Author, Yogi, and Guide to Intentional Living
About Derek McNulty
A Journey Across Three Worlds
Born and raised in Ireland, Derek McNulty grew up in a land untouched by the industrial revolution—a country of clean air, fierce pride, and timeless patience. Immersed in a culture where Irish, British, and American media all converged, he was exposed early on to life through three distinct lenses. This constant interplay of perspectives became the foundation for his lifelong fascination with human experience, perception, and truth.
In his early years, Derek traveled across Europe as a roving electrical technician, working in chemical plants and oil refineries. There, he witnessed firsthand the grandeur and history of industrialized Europe—a world deeply rooted in its past yet constantly innovating. Eventually, his journey led him to the United States, a nation defined by optimism, flux, and boundless opportunity. It was here that Derek discovered a place where imagination truly could meet action.
A Life of Exploration
Over the years, he pursued nearly every ambition that captured his curiosity: electrical and general contractor, structural building inspector, professional scuba instructor trainer, store owner, instrument-rated pilot, land developer, investor, restaurateur, sailor, marksman, musician, marathon runner, survivalist, mountaineer, and public speaker—among many others. Each endeavor was an exploration of possibility, each success a new lens on life's potential.
Yet, after achieving what many would call the American dream, Derek realized something was missing. Despite financial success and accomplishment, an inner voice called for meaning, simplicity, and connection. He sold everything—his houses, cars, even his airplane—and set out to rediscover the human experience from the ground up.
16,000 Conversations
For three years, he lived minimally, driving for Uber, traveling across America and speaking with over 16,000 passengers. Each conversation became a window into the human condition. Each person, a story. Each encounter, a lesson. During those years, he immersed himself in audiobooks spanning politics, psychology, philosophy, biographies, religion, and science. The car became a virtual confessional—offering a safe space where anyone could open up and share their truth. From these countless exchanges, a pattern began to emerge: a universal human desire for meaning, peace, and alignment.
From those reflections came a powerful realization—we are not just minds or bodies, but a living trilogy: mind, body, and spirit. When these three are aligned, they unlock the design for a truly fulfilled life.
A Life by Design
That realization became A Life by Design. More than a book, it is a guide to living consciously and intentionally—to understanding the biological, neurological, and psychological systems that often run our lives without awareness, and to reclaiming control through deliberate practice. Each chapter builds upon the last, forming a complete architecture of self-realization and personal mastery.
Complementing the book is Derek's 90-Day Yoga Challenge, a free program designed to synchronize body, mind, and spirit through daily movement and mindfulness. Together, the book and yoga journey offer a path to transformation—helping readers reset, realign, and rediscover their most authentic, powerful, and joyful selves.
The Mission
Derek believes he did not create this wisdom so much as receive it. He considers himself a conduit—sharing insights distilled from a lifetime of exploration, observation, and connection. His mission is simple yet profound: to help others live not by accident, but by design.