Is your WHY BIGGER than your why not?

I've turned chaos into clarity, from surviving foster care, juvenile detention, homelessness, and being orphaned at 12 to leading Airmen across the globe during my 24-year Air Force career. I've built martial arts schools, rebuilt after cancer, and impacted thousands across continents.

I don't just speak about resilience. I show people how own it, live it, and LEAD with it.

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Real Experience Real Results!

I’ve lived the extremes! Foster care, juvenile detention, homelessness, and the death of my only parent at 12. I rose from that chaos to lead Airmen around the world as a U.S. Air Force Senior NCO for 24 years. I built martial arts schools, rebuilt my life after cancer, and now I inspire global audiences with the same resilience that saved my own life.

This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience, battle-tested leadership, and personal transformation. I don’t just talk about resilience, I embody it. I teach it. I ignite it in others.

If your audience is craving more than clichés... if they need truth, tools, and transformation, they’re in the right place.

*Every one of my speeches is different. I want to ensure that I'm impacting YOUR audience, YOUR clients, YOUR event, and well, no two events are the same. So, I offer each organization and event a unique and impactful speech tailored towards YOUR goals.

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Sensei Dave brings high-impact energy rooted in real-life transformation and professional excellence. From surviving homelessness and the foster care system to leading teams during his 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he knows what it takes to overcome, adapt, and thrive. With a background in psychology, human behavior, and neurobiology, Sensei Dave combines lived experience with deep academic insight, offering practical strategies that drive mindset shifts, personal breakthroughs, and lasting growth.

As a published author (Why Me – My Fight For Life and From Gangs to Greece), sought-after speaker, and at-risk youth advocate, Sensei Dave’s work has been featured in media outlets like The Imprint and platforms including Amazon, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Whether coaching one-on-one, leading group programs, or speaking on stage, his message of resilience, personal power, and unapologetic leadership reaches across generations and borders.

He’s not just changing lives, he’s challenging people to step fully into their potential.

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Sensei Dave
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Fostering Changes

SENSEI DAVE HAS BEEN MOTIVATING ACTION IN PEOPLE FOR 20+ YEARS.

Author of "Why Me" My Fight For Life

Author of "From Gangs to Greece"

VP, Board of Directors 1M+ nonprofit

24-year U.S. Air Force Vet

Certified Les Brown "Power Voice" Public Speaker

Certified Youth Speaker University (YSU) Speaker

Creator of the UPNA Mentoring and Parenting Quarterly Summit

Toastmasters 2022 Greece's Champion of Public Speaking
(Follow my 2022 Toastmasters Journey...click here)

Speaking to/for non-profits that work with our youth.
CASA, BBBS, Juvenal Detention Centers, and Foster Parents

Inspiring more donations $

Inspiring Caring Adults/Volunteers

Training Teachers and Caring Adults that work with at-risk youth

Motivating and training through Lived Experience as a Foster and at-risk Youth, coupled with education, and PASSION!

1st place winner of the District Toastmasters International Public Speaking Championship.
14 countries & 200+ competitors.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Abbi, Life Coach For Teens

"I was blown away...I got to experience his charisma and how commanding Dave is on stage. But, after reading his book...OMG, you'll want to get up off of your butt and get to work! Talk about motivating!

Daliesha, Bahamas

If you’re looking for a supportive environment reach out to Dave. The tools he’s giving you to use are so beneficial and life-changing. If you’re looking for something big in your life, reach out to Dave today

Ola, Nigeria

Even when things got tough, Dave always reminded me of my worth. His positive energy and unwavering support have had a profound impact on me, shaping me into a stronger, more resilient individual.

Charmaine, USA

After seeing Dave’s speech, I have to say that I’m speechless. I went into foster care when I was 7 years old and now I’m 31. I could relate to everything about Dave’s story. He means so much to us foster care alumni and so much to the world! This man is special.

Teuta - Entrepreneur Mom

I was struggling with how to achieve my goals, as an entrepreneur mother it was hard to stay focused and motivated. Here I was confused and not going in the direction I wanted to be going and then comes Dave and wow, I’ve never felt so motivated and prepared to do it.