D-Cal

As an Executive Function Coach at New Frontiers, Richard “D-cal” brings an engaging, purpose-driven approach that blends mindset development, creative problem-solving, and practical skill building. Drawing from more than a decade of international speaking and coaching experience, he supports clients in strengthening habits, expanding self-awareness, and building confidence in their ability to reach meaningful goals. His coaching is rooted in the belief that purposeful play can unlock potential, making learning both memorable and empowering for individuals of all ages.

D-cal’s professional background spans over 15 years of action research and innovation, both within academic settings and in the broader personal development space. As the creator and co-founder of Upstart: The Board Game, he designed an experiential tool that simulates entrepreneurial decision-making and has been used by thousands of players across 29 countries. He is also the author of 365 Days of Breakthroughs, a daily journal companion that guides users toward reflection, curiosity, and incremental growth. His voice has reached global audiences through features in HuffPost, Entrepreneur Magazine, and BBC, and his leadership has been recognized through his involvement with the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper Community, where he served as both an alumnus and impact advisory council member before representing youth and social impact at Davos.

At the heart of D-cal’s work is empathy informed by lived experience. Proudly Filipino and neurodivergent, he brings cultural awareness, openness, and authenticity to every coaching relationship. His specialties—mindset and habit formation, leadership and peak performance, communication and conflict resolution—are shaped by years of experimentation, collaboration, and personal discipline. Outside of coaching, he continues to embody the connection between purpose and play, holding a teaching level in Capoeira and bringing movement, rhythm, and creativity into his lifelong learning journey.

D-cal’s areas of expertise include organization, goal-directed planning, time and habit management, and task initiation; strengthening focus, follow-through, and self-monitoring; and supporting clients in emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and navigating transitions. He also works with universal challenges such as perfectionism, overcommitment, communication breakdowns, difficulty shifting between tasks, and feeling overwhelmed by competing priorities. His coaching style is dynamic, encouraging, and deeply human—grounded in the belief that growth becomes sustainable when it aligns with curiosity, purpose, and play.