Stephen Feeney

Stephen Feeney working with young men on positive behaviours.

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin

I haven’t always been the man I wanted to be, but with time, reflection, and a lot of personal growth, I’m getting closer every day.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with young people in schools, sports clubs, and youth settings across the UK, the USA, and now back home in Ireland.

I began my professional life as a journalist, but it was teaching that gave me purpose. Since qualifying in 2012, I’ve taught and mentored hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds — experiences that showed me the universal need for emotional literacy, confidence, and connection. No matter the context, boys in particular are often under-supported when it comes to understanding themselves and building respectful relationships.

That’s where my journey into Positive Psychology began. After facing my own wellbeing challenges, I turned to the science of wellbeing. I trained first with the Wholebeing Institute, and later completed the Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology through The Flourishing Center. In 2023, I completed my Master’s in Applied Psychology (Positive & Coaching Psychology) at University College Cork.

Alongside this, I launched The Flourishing Man — an evolving platform designed to help boys grow into confident, reflective, emotionally aware young men. What started as a personal project has grown into a structured programme.

I’m excited to be part of the IGNITE Programme at UCC, where I’m developing The Flourishing Man into a scalable, research-informed solution for schools, sports academies, and communities. IGNITE has given me the support and structure to bring this vision to life — not just as a teacher or coach, but as a founder with impact in mind.

When I’m not developing curriculum or coaching, I can be found on the sidelines of Gaelic Games, writing, cooking, or hosting my podcast, I Love You, MAN — a space for honest conversations about masculinity, mindset, and modern life.

Based in Cork, I offer coaching and wellbeing education services both in-person and virtually to individuals, families, schools, and organisations around the world.

Stephen Feeney – Positive Psychology Coach | Educator | Founder of The Flourishing Man