
Hello
I'm Daniel-- Coach and Founder of Strive Performance. You're here because you wanted to learn more about my background. Thanks for your interest! It's difficult for anyone to summarize a life in a few succinct paragraphs, I have so many stories to share and knots of meaning that my life has been shaped by.
Perhaps the best takeaway is for you to know that I believe I've been made to listen to, inspire, and serve people in ways to help them grow. And, in walking nearly 50 years on this earth I've made my way through green pastures and dark valleys, and through it all I have discovered deep contentment, joy, purpose, lasting friendships, personal growth, and perseverance I never knew I had.
I'd like to share what I've learned with as many people as possible in order to help them on their personal journeys.
My Story
Daniel's unique mix of coaching and consulting draws from his varied background in education, non-profit service, entrepreneurial leadership, fundraising, ordained ministry, business, and competitive endurance sports.
Getting his professional start as a high school social studies teacher and cross country coach on the north side of St. Louis, Daniel’s sense of calling to serve others has remained consistent with each new season, and his focus on helping both individuals and teams develop and succeed has characterized his approach to leadership.
Daniel’s experience spans from student mentoring at the University of Illinois, to non-profit startup leadership, to teaching in Uganda, to a fractional role as Chief Cultural Officer, to coaching CEOs and business owners through institutional change and personal wellness, to personal fitness coaching, to coaching IRONMAN triathletes and endurance cyclists. Before founding Strive Performance Daniel helped start VQLabs, a new human performance lab and cycling training center here in Indianapolis.
In his 25 years of organizational and people leadership, Daniel has endured his share of mountain tops and valleys.
The refinement of his character, his expansive base of personal and professional experience, his personal and patient approach to coaching, his deep sense of security and joy, and his now-silvered beard are just a few of the positive outcomes of this journey.
Being encountered by intense life storms and walking through valleys of challenge and pain have given him the distinct opportunity to learn and grow in resilience, character, perseverance, and a deeper sense of identity and purpose. Passing on the lessons he’s learned, Daniel encourages all of his clients to see these inevitable storms and valleys as opportunities for personal refinement and growth in wisdom and virtue as they pursue their own goals.
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This approach of learning fortitude has not only served in leadership and life, but has helped Dan accomplish some incredible endurance events. A 4-time IRONMAN finisher, he’s also served on a cycling support crew for the 3000-mile Race Across America (RAAM), helped to rally 5 other guys and a support team together to attempt a charity relay swim across Lake Michigan to start Team Hope In Motion, to today as he's training with an executive client to tackle the "hardest climb in the world" from sea level to the top of 13,803 foot Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii.
In addition to his varied professional, volunteer, and athletic experience, Daniel also holds certifications as a Team Clock Organizational Wellness Consultant through the Center for Team Excellence, as a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise, and as an IRONMAN U Certified Triathlon Coach. He holds a Masters in Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, a Bachelors in Social Sciences from Illinois State University, and serves as a Captain in the US Army Reserve Chaplain Corps.
Contact
I love hearing people's stories, and considering ways they can be empowered to get after their personal goals. Let's connect.
