David Turnbull in a tank top and sunglasses crouching on the grass with his white dog at a Vancouver beach park
Vancouver, on a regular day.
About David Turnbull

Who the heck is The Bull?

I'm Dave (David Turnbull on the paperwork). I'm a personal trainer in Vancouver and I've been coaching for 15+ years through TurnFit.

Along the way I spent two years in counseling and learned from health practitioners. All of it ends up in how I think about living a long, good life.

I'm also a little obsessed with how the mind and body work together. I've tried a lot of things over the years, and I'm still reading and learning. Constantly. It's a problem. It's also a hobby.

  • Sauna and cold plunge
  • Breathwork
  • Red light therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Physiotherapy
  • Float tank
  • Fasting and diets
  • Journaling
  • Books. So many books.

I've been the guinea pig so you don't have to be.

Tried it, learned from it, here's what I took away. That's what goes into the book. My opinions are strongly biased and N=1, which means one person: me. If that's not for you, that's fine.

I say my opinions like facts. If that's not for you, that's fine. If it is, welcome.

Why I do this

The part I don't skip

I want to tell you something I don't say out loud very often.

There was a time in my life when I was thinking about ending it. I'm not going to go into detail, and I don't need to. What matters is that I'm still here.

What helped save me was the stuff I share on this site: training, eating properly, walking, sleep, and routines I could actually keep. Nothing fancy. Small, boring things, repeated, until they started holding me up.

The old version of me doesn't exist anymore. I'm proud of that, and I don't take it for granted.

I want everyone to feel that strong. That's the real reason this site exists.

If you are struggling, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada, 24/7). This site is not medical or mental health advice.

Why trust me

Fair question. Here are the receipts.

I'm a Vancouver personal trainer. Here's what's behind the name, as listed on turnfit.ca (opens in a new tab), my training studio.

  • 15+ yearscoaching clients in Vancouver.
  • 8 years runningTurnFit has won the Top Choice Award for personal training in Vancouver, chosen by public vote.
  • 4.9 on Googlefrom 240+ reviews, as listed on turnfit.ca.
  • 1,800+ peoplecoached through TurnFit, per turnfit.ca.
  • ReferredHealthcare professionals refer clients to TurnFit.
Side-by-side photos of David Turnbull. Left, January 2026: 210 lb, 20% body fat, laughing and holding a mug. Right, August 2026: 178 lb, 10% body fat, standing on a Vancouver beach.
January to August 2026.My personal result; yours will vary. Not medical advice.

TurnFit is my Vancouver training studio. I'm mentioning it so you know who's behind this, not to sell you TurnFit coaching: the book and the Bull app are separate, and there's no TurnFit coaching tier here. I'm a trainer, not a doctor. Credentials aren't a promise of results, and nothing on this site is medical advice.

Black and white photo of David Turnbull in sunglasses and shorts walking along a Vancouver beach with the city skyline behind him
The idea

18,250days to age 90
Make them on purpose

From age 40 to age 90, that's 18,250 days. I want every one of them to have purpose and be better than the last. And I want to help you live yours the same way: the healthiest, most optimal version of you.

Get the book
The five pillars

Longevity isn't just push-ups

A long life that's miserable isn't the goal. These are the five areas I care about.

  • Mind. How you think, feel and talk to yourself. Emotions aren't a problem to fix; they're information to use.
  • Body. Move, train, recover, repeat. 15+ years of coaching says the boring basics done consistently beat the fancy stuff.
  • Money. Your habits with money shape your options later. Make choices today that your future self won't roll their eyes at.
  • Relationships. The people in your life matter. Show up, be honest, and choose who gets your time.
  • Career. You'll spend a lot of days working. Make them count, and make sure the work fits the life you want.
Real life

Real life, real dog, real work

Beaches, parks and a questionable number of crocs. This is what an ordinary day looks like when I'm not overthinking it.

David Turnbull crouching and smiling beside his white dog Juhee, who wears a pink Daddy's Girl bandana, on the grass by a Vancouver beach
01 Juhee's bandana says it all.
David Turnbull in sunglasses leaning back on a boulder with his white dog Juhee beside him on a Vancouver beach
02 Juhee, supervising. Sand, rocks and a good dog.
David Turnbull standing on a grassy hill in green shorts and crocs while his white dog Juhee in a pink bandana reaches up to him
03 Juhee, back on her feet and running the show.

Straight up: this is for people who are fully committed. If you're ready to go 100% in and do the boring things on repeat, welcome. If you want a magic shortcut, I'm the wrong bull, and that's fine.

Your first step

Start small. Go big later.

No pressure to do all three. Start with whichever feels easiest, and move up when you're ready.

  1. Join the list

    Free. New notes and launches, plus the odd bad joke.

    Join the list

  2. Read the book

    Longevity Notes: Starter, $37 CAD. Instant download after checkout.

    Get the book

  3. Join the app waitlist

    Free, and no payment. The Bull app opens early November.

    Join the waitlist
Where to find me

Say hi

The best place to follow along is Instagram. For anything longer, use the contact form.

Instagram @theycallmethebull (opens in a new tab) Contact form Read the blog

My notes. N=1. Not a study. Not medical advice.