It started with us — struggling deeply with life itself, both on and off the table. Stepping into what felt uncomfortable, painful, and unknown became the turning point that changed everything. What began as a desire to heal became our way of living, shaping us into men we are today.
By living this work every day, we know how transformative it is — and what is available on the other side. That’s why we created Poker With A Purpose -- to empower you to love and trust yourself unconditionally so you can embody your full potential -- in life and in poker -- with clarity, certainty, and freedom.
THE STORY BEHIND THE MOVEMENT
DAVID A. M. RICHARDS
TRANSFORMATIONAL GUIDE & PERFORMANCE COACH
Hi, I’m David. I’m a Healer and Alchemist who supports you in cultivating inner alignment through vulnerability, accountability, and self-love. My work draws from years of study and practice in NLP, MER, and hypnotherapy, and even more from lived experience — learning how to meet myself more truthfully, on and off the table.
I grew up in Syracuse, New York, where a drive to achieve showed up early. From competitive swimming to the U.S. Military Academy, I learned to measure my worth through performance and results. For a long time, success meant pushing harder and proving myself. Eventually, I came to see that fulfillment doesn’t come from achievement alone — it comes from understanding and accepting who you are beneath it.
Poker became one of my greatest teachers. The game reflected my patterns back to me with honesty — my fears, self-doubt, and the stories I carried about myself. Over time, that reflection became an invitation to do deeper inner work. What began as a personal process of awareness and healing grew into the foundation of Poker With A Purpose, where poker becomes a tool for self-awareness, expansion, and freedom.
Today, I play high-stakes cash games in Las Vegas, and I’m committed to giving back through this work. If you choose to work with us, I am honored to be your guide to embodying your authenticity, accessing your inner gifts and wisdom, and living and playing truly free.
SASHA FAYNSHTEYN
TRANSFORMATIONAL COACH & RELATIONSHIP GUIDE
Hi, I’m Sasha. As a Transformational Coach, Healer, and Master Practitioner of NLP, I specialize in helping men break free from stagnation and self-destructive cycles in every facet of their lives. After over a decade as a professional poker player, I transformed my own struggles into a mission to guide others.
My journey started in my mid-thirties, during a challenging period marked by a toxic relationship that forced me to confront deep-seated beliefs and emotional wounds. Through hypnotherapy, NLP, EQ trainings, & and 1,000s of hours of extensive inner work, I discovered peace, self-love, a deep sense of authenticity, and my true purpose.
Since 2017, I am dedicated to helping men, like you, identify and release unconscious patterns & unwanted emotions and beliefs that hold them back. My purpose is to guide you to clear out all the mental & emotional clutter and build a foundation of emotional resilience, authentic confidence, and self-trust, empowering you to reach your full potential in life, poker, or anything else you choose to create with your life.
As a co-creator of Poker With A Purpose, I combine years of mental, emotional, and spiritual practice, a number of healing & transformative modalities, as well as my poker experience. My role is to be your Lighthouse, guiding you toward mastery through awareness, authenticity, action, and a deep connection to both who you truly are and your Higher Purpose.
READY TO WORK WITH US?
Sometimes the next breakthrough isn’t about studying harder, it’s about stepping through what's in the way. If you’re ready to master the inner game and transform your results from the inside out, you're in the right place and we’re here to guide you.