Derek Clark
Biography

Derek Clark is an inspiring motivational speaker and the author of Never Limit Your Life and the critically acclaimed I Will Never Give Up book series. Derek Clark spent 13 years of his life in the Alameda County foster care system and now shares his inspiring story of resilience and redemption throughout the world. Derek Clark knows first-hand the power of attitude in coping with adversity and overcoming hardship. At five years of age, Derek's mother and stepfather (his biological father was in prison) turned him over to the California foster care system, where he would spend the next thirteen years of his life, contending with rejection, humiliation, emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. Yet through it all, Derek never gave up, and went from victim to victor by defying the artificial limitations imposed on him. He literally took a disadvantage in life and turned it into an advantage. His remarkable story is one of resilience and redemption, from his personal to professional life. Having suffered brutal child abuse and abandonment, Derek was prone to severe distress and lashing out in anger. As a child he was "labeled and misdiagnosed" in almost every psychological evaluation in existence. As a helpless child, Derek was nearly institutionalized due to severe erratic behavioral problems and violent tendencies. At 6 years old, Derek was diagnosed as mentally handicapped with an IQ of a two and half year old and suffered erratic psychosis. As he developed, it became clear to his wonderful foster parents that this diagnosis was without merit. Derek's life mission has become helping others find the mental strength to recognize and take advantage of opportunities. His keynotes are based on true-life trials and triumphs, and have inspired thousands of listeners to have the mental strength to overcome adversity and fear. His purpose is to cultivate drive, focus, and the courage to take action. In his presentations, he reveals how he overcame his adversities and how he triumphed in his personal life. He takes you down his road of lessons that he has learned of hate, anger, resentment, mistrust in adults, violent tendencies, rejection, lack of love, child abuse and the memories that have haunted his life. Derek believes he has successfully thrived as a leader in life because of his painful past, compassion for others and living a "No Excuse" life. As a motivational speaker, Derek inspires youth and adults across this nation to never give up and to not let the past limit their incredible future. He shares his message of courage, hope and perseverance to help others find the strength to Never Give Up. When Derek speaks, it is from his passionate soul. He brings along his guitar to sing the journals of his life. He believes that music is one of the purest ways to touch and communicate with the hearts of the audience. His listeners will be ignited with passion and have the courage to take action and fight their fears. He will inspire and teach you to push yourself beyond your perceived limits. He believes it all comes down to a choice and taking responsibility for the direction of your life. He is proof that you don't have to let adversity hold you down in life; you have a fascinating and inspiring destiny awaiting you. Derek Clark is an inspiring speaker/trainer, singer/songwriter and the author of the I Will Never Give Up book series. Derek has over 100 tracks on iTunes. His true-life trials and personal triumphs have inspired organizations throughout the United States and Canada with his powerful message of hope and unwavering perseverance. He has been featured in numerous radio shows in many major U.S. cities, newspaper articles, and television. He has performed his music for some very famous people including the President of the United States. He has been featured with Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Tyra Banks and U2 as "People Who Roar" by Roar Clothing. He unleashes his creative energy in a never-ending effort to ignite passion in others and instill the courage to never give up. His maxim is to make no excuses and become what you want to become. He has turned his situation from a victim to a victor, equipping him with the Wisdom and the Will to Never Give Up.

Derek Clark
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YOUTH EVENTS

Most youth are fighting a constant battle within themselves. Their personal battle might be a lack of self value, loss of self respect, loneliness, being labeled, suicide tendencies, trust, love, depression, insecurity, addiction or a sense of wanting to belong. The key to reinforcing hope is that their lyrics must have a triumphant and inspiring ending. Their individual journey must reflect hope, self respect, perseverance and victory. Derek Clark loves being a youth motivational speaker for at-risk youth, foster youth, high school students and student leaders. He inspires the youth to make goals and write their destiny in the format of song lyrics. They are looking past their problems and charting a different course for their life. There renewed Hope will fuel their faith in their ability to conquering self esteem issues, depression, addictions, loneliness and self respect.

Interactive Exercise
3 Hours

After the students listen to Derek’s Inspiring story of overcoming adversity and sharing his leadership tools, the audience is now ready to inspire others. Derek uses music to show the at-risk youth, foster youth, high school students and student leaders how they can change the direction of their life by creating a new destiny. The students are instructed on how to write lyrics in a song format. The classroom audience is split into groups of seven.. They write down their hardest struggles and darkest fears as well as their hopes and dreams. They are given a sample sheet to show the word and syllable arrangement to flow with the music that Derek has already created. (Music ranges from top 40 pop, rap and rock)

They are encouraged to turn their struggles into lyrics. This applies to a tragedy from the past that is holding them back from moving forward in their life. The second verse must reflect a solution to their struggle. The lyrics must be specific and contain no vulgarities or language that is violent or disrespectful. When they are done completing their lyrics, they have the opportunity to sing their song in front of the others as Derek accompanies them with his pre-programmed music. If the group is shy or does not feel comfortable about singing their song, Derek will then sing their song and dedicate it to the particular group. (groups are encouraged to sing their own songs) Each song will be recorded on a CD for future reflection.

The U-R.O.C.K program symbolizes the awakening of the voice from their soul.

Transfer of Learning

As a youth motivational speaker for at-risk youth, high schools and student leaders, Derek helps the youth modify their limited perception. A lot of youth go through high school feeling lost and hopeless. Derek helps them change their focus to see, feel and actually Hear Hope. Music is the tool that speaks to the youth on a lyrical level, whether it is Rap, Rock, Heavy Metal or Country. They communicate through sad songs, love songs, angry songs, promiscuous songs and gangster songs. This music is communicating to our youth and then they act out what they hear. It is important in this program that they change the way they perceive the present moment.

Through this program Youth will Learn:
-Clarify their struggles and battles that are holding them back from excelling
-Find the empowerment to accomplish the life goals they set
-Develop their Personal Power Anthem (song) that will help strengthen their hearts and minds in their everyday struggles
-Have the Will to break through their self perceived limits
-Remember the U-R.O.C.K. Solution
-Understanding Integrity- Responsibility,-Opportunity- Choice- Knowledge
-Songwriting builds self esteem, confidence, hope and the positive power to overcome obstacles in their life
-Bring direction and goals
-Teach the youth about their self value and help build a positive life
-Create Team Building through accepting and appreciating each others differences and strengths

Never Limit Your Life
From Personal to Professional

Corporate Motivational Speaker Derek Clark knows how to inspire employees, sales managers and sales staff to push themselves beyond their self perceived limits. Reserve Derek Clark now to boost employee morale and increase sales.

Derek Clark is an inspiring motivational speaker and author of Never Limit Your Life: From Personal to Professional, and the critically acclaimed I Will Never Give Up book series. His keynotes, books and music have inspired audiences across North America and Canada with the will to never give up.

As the founder of several successful corporations, Derek knows that each member’s leadership, teamwork, and motivational capabilities play critical roles in the success of the organization as a whole. When individuals push themselves beyond their limits, everyone around them grows in strength and character. Hope and positivity are not only contagious, but the keys to higher productivity. Personal and professional success begins, first and foremost, with our attitude. By cultivating drive, focus, and fearlessness, employees will find their professional and personal lives opening up to new promise and fresh opportunities.

Derek’s programs inspire people to discover the resources within themselves to overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting. His focus is on motivating employees to change their perspective and cultivate respect in the workplace. A happy employee is a successful employee. With the right attitude, customer service becomes exceptional and professional relationships more rewarding. He demonstrates that everyone has the power to take leadership through personal accountability and vision. Combining his business expertise with a triumphant personal history, Derek has shown audiences that they too can thrive in their organizations by reaching beyond self-imposed limitations.

Derek knows first-hand the power of attitude in coping with adversity and overcoming hardship. His story is one of resilience and redemption. At five years of age, Derek’s mother and stepfather (his biological father was in prison) turned him over to the California foster care system, where he would spend the next thirteen years of his life, contending with rejection, humiliation, emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. Yet through it all, Derek never gave up, and went from victim to victor by defying the artificial limitations imposed on him. His dark past has never held him back from accomplishing whatever he has set his mind to.

Derek captures the heart of the employee on an emotional level, where professional change really happens. He believes that if he can touch the human spirit, it will create a lasting positive impact on both the personal and professional lives of his audience. Everybody can relate to some part of Derek’s story, whether it is his personal struggle, professional accomplishments, or his beliefs on how we best achieve happiness and financial success. From owning a million dollar corporation to having a family, his maxim is to make no excuses.

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