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How To Die Happy: Curated wisdom, stories, and utilities for the art of living.
How can you achieve long-lasting happiness? Or transform your relationship with fear, death, or grief?
What is happiness anyway?
All these questions (and more) are asked and answered in How To Die Happy.
An excerpt from the foreword: "This madman has found a way to weave such wisdom into a tapestry of interconnected insight and understanding. The result is a charming and witty guide to attaining happiness that is both heartfelt and funny." — Lee Holden, founder of Holden Qi Gong, international meditation and qi gong instructor, author, and TV personality.
Exploring themes around life "at Earth School" — depression, consumption, distraction, emotions, ego, and the pursuit of success, How To Die Happy examines why many of us feel robbed of bliss, joy, and peace.
More importantly, it's a guide to happiness while embracing the paradoxical fact that happiness is as impermanent as everything else. Former high-functioning alcoholic adman Martin O'Toole once lived a wild life of excess, oblivious of how his childhood trauma had profoundly impaired his emotional maturation. A near-suicidal event was the launchpad for his learning about mental health's complexities — lessons he "ought to have been taught as a child".
Leaving the hectic pace of London for the contrasting peace of the tropical island of Bali, O'Toole set out to heal his various neuroses. This extensive process of self-help work led to discovering what he calls the "Anatomy of Happy" — a methodology detailed in this book. How To Die Happy distils the secrets to living and dying well.
This book cherry-picks Eastern philosophies like Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, connecting their relationship to mindfulness and psychological practices. The author shares tales of loss, self-suffering, forgiveness, love, and the miraculous healing power of psychedelic plant medicines. He deftly tackles serious subject matter in fun, often self-effacing and lighthearted ways.
Perhaps, unusually, these are not lessons offered by an enlightened guru or a PhD but by a self-professed, fallible "man on the mend".
More specifically, you'll discover the How To Die Happy tackles the root causes of depression and dissatisfaction. Part curated wisdom, part handbook, part memoir, this inspirational text offers a blend of ancient lessons, real-life stories, and a host of practical utilities to enjoy a vibrant and contented life.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". — Lao Tzu
Today, we face material and mental distractions at every turn. This book offers meaningful concepts to help you find inner peace and happiness in a world that needs it more than ever. If you seek genuinely sustainable happiness, this is a self-care book you must read before you die.
What is happiness anyway?
All these questions (and more) are asked and answered in How To Die Happy.
An excerpt from the foreword: "This madman has found a way to weave such wisdom into a tapestry of interconnected insight and understanding. The result is a charming and witty guide to attaining happiness that is both heartfelt and funny." — Lee Holden, founder of Holden Qi Gong, international meditation and qi gong instructor, author, and TV personality.
Exploring themes around life "at Earth School" — depression, consumption, distraction, emotions, ego, and the pursuit of success, How To Die Happy examines why many of us feel robbed of bliss, joy, and peace.
More importantly, it's a guide to happiness while embracing the paradoxical fact that happiness is as impermanent as everything else. Former high-functioning alcoholic adman Martin O'Toole once lived a wild life of excess, oblivious of how his childhood trauma had profoundly impaired his emotional maturation. A near-suicidal event was the launchpad for his learning about mental health's complexities — lessons he "ought to have been taught as a child".
Leaving the hectic pace of London for the contrasting peace of the tropical island of Bali, O'Toole set out to heal his various neuroses. This extensive process of self-help work led to discovering what he calls the "Anatomy of Happy" — a methodology detailed in this book. How To Die Happy distils the secrets to living and dying well.
This book cherry-picks Eastern philosophies like Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, connecting their relationship to mindfulness and psychological practices. The author shares tales of loss, self-suffering, forgiveness, love, and the miraculous healing power of psychedelic plant medicines. He deftly tackles serious subject matter in fun, often self-effacing and lighthearted ways.
Perhaps, unusually, these are not lessons offered by an enlightened guru or a PhD but by a self-professed, fallible "man on the mend".
More specifically, you'll discover the How To Die Happy tackles the root causes of depression and dissatisfaction. Part curated wisdom, part handbook, part memoir, this inspirational text offers a blend of ancient lessons, real-life stories, and a host of practical utilities to enjoy a vibrant and contented life.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". — Lao Tzu
Today, we face material and mental distractions at every turn. This book offers meaningful concepts to help you find inner peace and happiness in a world that needs it more than ever. If you seek genuinely sustainable happiness, this is a self-care book you must read before you die.
- GenresSelf HelpSpirituality
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2023
About the author
Martin O'Toole
2 books3 followersBorn in Yorkshire, England, Martin O'Toole spent over 20 years as an adman and high-functioning alcoholic before a transformative experience with Ayahuasca led him to leave London for a mindful life abroad.
Through plant medicines and ancient Eastern practices, Martin overcame addiction and depression, developing a body of work blending breathwork, Internal Family Systems, somatic awareness, and trauma-informed psychedelic integration.
He's the author of How To Die Happy and How Not To Suffer: A Practical Guide to Losing Your Mind, a field manual for anyone ready to stop running from themselves. His work helps people get out of their minds, breaking free from the patterns and conditioning that keep them stuck.
Through one-to-one coaching, breathwork, therapeutic psychedelic work, and retreats run alongside his partner, Jules, Martin guides clients into non-ordinary states where lasting transformation becomes possible. He co-founded Worker Be, a corporate wellness brand tackling workplace burnout from the roots up.
An outspoken ambassador for suicide awareness and mental health, Martin works with clients worldwide, all with one aim: to help people live and die happy.
Through plant medicines and ancient Eastern practices, Martin overcame addiction and depression, developing a body of work blending breathwork, Internal Family Systems, somatic awareness, and trauma-informed psychedelic integration.
He's the author of How To Die Happy and How Not To Suffer: A Practical Guide to Losing Your Mind, a field manual for anyone ready to stop running from themselves. His work helps people get out of their minds, breaking free from the patterns and conditioning that keep them stuck.
Through one-to-one coaching, breathwork, therapeutic psychedelic work, and retreats run alongside his partner, Jules, Martin guides clients into non-ordinary states where lasting transformation becomes possible. He co-founded Worker Be, a corporate wellness brand tackling workplace burnout from the roots up.
An outspoken ambassador for suicide awareness and mental health, Martin works with clients worldwide, all with one aim: to help people live and die happy.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 9, 2023
Finally, a book that brings to the surface, unpacks and interrogates discourse that we all should be having more of…the elephant in the universe!!!
A companion that effortlessly takes you on a journey of self inquiry, Martin O’Toole gracefully grounds you, and then guides you on how to become the observer of the gift of life… all whilst looking at yourself (and the shadows), in the mirror.
With compassion, humour and wit, we are asked to question, appreciate and detach from what we think makes us happy, all whilst empowering choice and freewill - simple, yet often overlooked human rights we all have.
It’s like all the screenshots I’ve saved, finally translated into a book!
The process and magic of unlearning, becoming sovereign, happy, and free…serendipitously, this book could not have found me at a better time in my life. A must read and keep for all souls here on Earth school!
A companion that effortlessly takes you on a journey of self inquiry, Martin O’Toole gracefully grounds you, and then guides you on how to become the observer of the gift of life… all whilst looking at yourself (and the shadows), in the mirror.
With compassion, humour and wit, we are asked to question, appreciate and detach from what we think makes us happy, all whilst empowering choice and freewill - simple, yet often overlooked human rights we all have.
It’s like all the screenshots I’ve saved, finally translated into a book!
The process and magic of unlearning, becoming sovereign, happy, and free…serendipitously, this book could not have found me at a better time in my life. A must read and keep for all souls here on Earth school!
September 13, 2023
What a wonderful author Martin is. He's investment so much time into his quest for wisdom and self actualisation and passed this in lovely, easily digestible and sometime down right hilarious chapters. This is a thoroughly charming read and a book that I completed in record time. You'll feel enlightened once you complete this and a deep connection with the author.
It covers everything from Buddhism, Stoicism, Ikigai and psychedelics.... you name it, if it's interesting Martin has studied it and presents it in a digestible manner to his readers.
It's brutally honest and compassionately reassuring, consider this a gift to guide you on this wonderful journey that is life and live your best life without fear.
Quite simply, it's the book I'd wished I'd written!
It covers everything from Buddhism, Stoicism, Ikigai and psychedelics.... you name it, if it's interesting Martin has studied it and presents it in a digestible manner to his readers.
It's brutally honest and compassionately reassuring, consider this a gift to guide you on this wonderful journey that is life and live your best life without fear.
Quite simply, it's the book I'd wished I'd written!
January 18, 2024
Martin is a light! I enjoyed this book a lot ! To me a good book is when you can 1) take something away from , learn something about yourself , life etc 2) ideas in the book are applicable and can change your life for the better. This book does that and more . I love that this book provides ideas and foundation to become a better person, to live a better life and essentially die happy. Martin has filled this book with so much good information, ideas, insight, wisdom, I inspiration and love. I definitely recommend this book! So many things from this book resonated with me, Martin also has a powerful story which he shares bits of in this book. It resonated with me on so many levels, tons of powerful ideas, inspiring quotes and truly potential life changers. Read this book. You have nothing to lose and many things to gain.
April 23, 2023
Must read, everything u need in life is all put together in this book.
September 3, 2024
Amazing :)
May 17, 2026
Martin writes with a level of honesty that’s rare. He isn’t afraid to expose his vulnerabilities or revisit painful parts of his past, and that kind of openness only comes from someone genuine, someone who truly wants to reach people, not just impress them!
What makes the book powerful is how deeply relatable it is. We’ve all wrestled with our own vulnerabilities in one form or another, and he captures that human mess with remarkable clarity and compassion. The writing style is exceptional. Intelligent yet accessible, insightful without ever feeling pretentious. There’s warmth in the author’s words, wit in the right moments, and a quiet kindness running through the entire book.
I love how thoughtful research is combined with profound reflections on psychology, philosophy, human nature, and the universe in a way that feels both intelligent and deeply authentic. The author understands transformation because he’s lived it. There’s a sense that he’s walked through chaos, broken free from it, emerged wiser, and is now reaching back to help others do the same, all with incredible grace and panache.
For me, this was a phenomenal book by a truly impressive writer. 5 stars. :)
What makes the book powerful is how deeply relatable it is. We’ve all wrestled with our own vulnerabilities in one form or another, and he captures that human mess with remarkable clarity and compassion. The writing style is exceptional. Intelligent yet accessible, insightful without ever feeling pretentious. There’s warmth in the author’s words, wit in the right moments, and a quiet kindness running through the entire book.
I love how thoughtful research is combined with profound reflections on psychology, philosophy, human nature, and the universe in a way that feels both intelligent and deeply authentic. The author understands transformation because he’s lived it. There’s a sense that he’s walked through chaos, broken free from it, emerged wiser, and is now reaching back to help others do the same, all with incredible grace and panache.
For me, this was a phenomenal book by a truly impressive writer. 5 stars. :)
September 20, 2026
Martins book fundamentally changed my life and showed me what it meant to be, and how to be, living in gratitude. His personal story, insights and wisdom offer a totally unique and real perspective on what it means to live a life in the present, to seek enjoyment and gratitude in the moment - for we truly could be living our final few moments at any given time.
What I loved about the book most was the small activities to stop and do along the way. It was through this book that I learnt I needed to apologize to some people I hurt, to forgive others and myself for pain I had been unnecessarily carrying around, and to to re-evaluate what and how I spend my precious moments with the time I have left on this earth.
Thank you Martin, my brother. I love and appreciate you immensely. Thank you for sharing our contributions ❤️🙏
What I loved about the book most was the small activities to stop and do along the way. It was through this book that I learnt I needed to apologize to some people I hurt, to forgive others and myself for pain I had been unnecessarily carrying around, and to to re-evaluate what and how I spend my precious moments with the time I have left on this earth.
Thank you Martin, my brother. I love and appreciate you immensely. Thank you for sharing our contributions ❤️🙏
December 10, 2024
Life on this earth can throw us an eclectic mix of challenges which can drive us to the very depths of despair. Often how we deal with such events is how we learn and become a better person. Martin has written a book that helps us find the right tools to manage our earth bound bodies and connect with the universe in such ways that can only bring happiness to our lives through all the challenges we find ourselves in. As you read this book (and you should) you will find aspects in Martin's journey (and through his guidance) that will resonate with your own. Ultimately this book is a guide for life and living well in whichever universe you might find yourself.
March 1, 2025
3.7/5
I found this in a store in Ubud, Bali and it immediately caught my eye. I skimmed through a couple pages and a couple days later I bought it on Audible with a credit.
It ended up being a lot better than expected. I thought it was going to be one of those books where it’s just a combination of things from other books, and this one kind of is that but the angle and the way it’s presented is different. It doesn’t just say “eat healthy and exercise!” It talks more about spirituality and psychology. It’s a book I would reread sometime in the future. Would recommend.
Next time I’m in Bali, I’m going to go to one of Martin’s (the author) breathwork sessions.
I found this in a store in Ubud, Bali and it immediately caught my eye. I skimmed through a couple pages and a couple days later I bought it on Audible with a credit.
It ended up being a lot better than expected. I thought it was going to be one of those books where it’s just a combination of things from other books, and this one kind of is that but the angle and the way it’s presented is different. It doesn’t just say “eat healthy and exercise!” It talks more about spirituality and psychology. It’s a book I would reread sometime in the future. Would recommend.
Next time I’m in Bali, I’m going to go to one of Martin’s (the author) breathwork sessions.
March 26, 2023
There are some books I believe should be taught in schools . Books to teach you how to learn (like limitless), books that teach you how to live (like 7 habits, atomic habits), and then finally, there’s books that teach you how to live a fulfilling, happy life. This book is on the top of that list. Martin does a great job in providing the reader with an introduction to the many tools/philosophies you can implement to live your life with happiness, health and gratitude.
September 18, 2026
If the title of this book intrigues you, then this book will help you to do just what it says. You still have to do the work, but you don’t have to become a long-time Yogi or theological student to even discover what “the work” is- Martin O’Toole has laid it out in a concise and enjoyable form, his exceptional writing skills dovetail perfectly with his theme, and you will find yourself, even before you finish it, enthusiastic about trying his practical advice in your own life.
January 22, 2024
A passionate and unwavering tale of personal growth. Really enjoyed its mix of the practical, as well as the more esoteric. As someone passionate about meditation myself, this book really resonated with me!
March 22, 2023
A fantastically honest book filled with utilities to help you live a happier life. Would wholeheartedly recommend.
October 24, 2024
Thank you so much Martin, your book is very inspirational and makes my live better
December 4, 2024
My favorite book! I keep referring it to people I genuinely love it. It’s easy it’s helpful it’s refreshing it’s funny it’s optimistic it’s just a pleasure to read! Thank you ❣️
March 27, 2023
Reviewing my own book would be wildly inappropriate, so I'll just say this: How To Die Happy is a must-read before you die. ;)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews