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. Ive 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.
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
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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
"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!
Abbi, Life Coach For Teens
Other Programs
VIDEOS AND "HAPPENINGS"
