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Derek Clark Childhood Trauma Motivational Speaker

Motivational Keynote Speaker – Topics

Audience evaluations consider Derek Clark a top motivational speaker and trainer. He shares his high powered and inspiring message of “Never Limit Your Life” as a conference keynote speaker around the world.

Derek knows first-hand the power of attitude in coping with adversity, rejection 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) abandoned him at a psychiatric facility where he was referred to the California foster care system. Derek would spend the next thirteen years of his life, contending with rejection, humiliation, aggression, 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. Derek discovered that he had great amounts of inner wealth and made a choice to tap into it and not let his trauma driven past punish his limitless future. From owning a million dollar corporation to having a family, his maxim is to make no excuses.

As an inspiring motivational speaker, 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.

His Employee, Management, Sales and Leadership Presentations Are Designed For:

  • Employee Motivation and Rejuvenation
  • Conference Keynotes
  • Compassion Fatigue – Burn Out
  • Inspirational Business Keynotes
  • Professional and Personal Success
  • Developing Stronger Leadership Skills
  • Employee Retention
  • Business Ethics
  • Overcome Fear and Rejection – Increase Sales, Productivity and Profitability
  • Build Quality Relationships Built On Trust
  • Work/Life Balance
  • Communicate Through Listening
  • Finding Great Opportunities in a Changing and Challenging Environment
  • Sales Staff Motivation
  • Corporate Motivational Keynotes
  • Company and Business Motivation
  • Entrepreneurship Success

Watch Motivational Speaker Derek Clark’s Powerful TED Talk on the Power of Determination. Never Give Up!

From the adversity of growing up in foster care to becoming a top motivational speaker, Derek Clark has what it takes to inspire your employees to become powerful, take action and…

Derek Shares how he achieved great success with his inspiring motivational speaking style and how he lives his life on purpose. His triumphant message has inspired many successful companies, federal, state and county children and family services, law enforcement agencies, child welfare professionals, CPS – child protective services, juvenile justice conferences, social worker conferences, probation and circuit court conferences, foster parent conferences, 

CASA events, educators, non profit organizations, colleges, mortgage and real estate events, youth conferences, student leadership conferences, at-risk youth conferences, foster youth conferences, colleges and high school assemblies.

Motivational speaker and former CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation Derek Clark knows that a great leader has passion, vision, integrity, creativity, compassion and persistent determination. Derek Clark is an international motivational speaker and author of Never Limit Your Life: From Personal to Professional, and the critically acclaimed I Will Never Give Up book series.

Since Achieving his professional dreams, 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 employees to have the mental strength to overcome adversity and fear. His purpose is to cultivate responsibility, drive, focus and the courage to take action.

Derek Clark has what it takes to inspire your employees to become powerful, take action and…

  • Inspire Employees to be More Productive
  • Nfluence Positive Thinking – Great Attitude Over Adversity
  • Inspire Self Confidence and Compassion
  • Inspire Hope
  • Inspire Determination
  • Inspire Integrity, Vision and Taking Action
  • Developing the Great Leader Within

Derek Believes that a
great leader makes leaders

Jack Welch, one of the world’s most respected and celebrated CEO’s is known for his unmatched track record of success, enormous love of people, fierce passion for winning, and unbridled desire to change the world for the better. Jack once said, “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion.”

An inspiring and
great leader has the discipline

dedication and the ability to take decisive action while working towards the “team” goal. Leaders are not all cut from the same mold and there is not a one-size that fits all blueprint. Every great leader has a detailed approach and a style of leadership that is unique. Great leaders have an amazing foundation of qualities and can communicate, motivate and inspire individual team members to rise up to a higher level.

Foster Care, Foster Care Speaker

In Today’s Uncertain Economy, Derek Clark Shares Some of His Personal Secrets to Success! These tips have consistently helped Derek achieve significant amounts of success.

Formulate a Vision. Have goals and get ready to rock. Take action now. Any action will create motion and motion means you that are moving. Make use of your time instead of being used by it. Find purpose. If you have no purpose in life, you just bounce around in mediocrity. If you look around you and cannot find a purpose, try putting yourself in a new environment. New horizons force us to look at the world in a different way, and fresh ideas come from fresh surroundings.

Have Fun. What good is making money if you don’t know how to have any fun with it? Know how to laugh. A good, honest belly-laugh is more precious than gold. The days of our lives should not be filled with misery and grouchiness. A day without a laugh is a day that is wasted.

Vance Havner said it perfectly when he said, “Vision is not enough. It must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.”

Think of the First Steps you are going to make. Step one is always believe in yourself. But it all starts with a goal. I write down my goals so that I can map out the means of getting there. It doesn’t matter if it’s a financial, physical, intellectual, or spiritual goal. Imagine what it feels like to have already achieved your goal. Get in commitment mode. How bad do you want to achieve the goal? What resources will you bring to bear in going after it? What sacrifices are you willing to make? If I am writing it down on paper, I am also writing it down in my head and imprinting it on my soul. I know I am fully committed. I will do whatever it takes to make the dream a reality.

Define Your Goals very clearly and precisely. It helps you map out and anticipate obstacles. It also helps you break the big goal down into smaller goals. Short-range goals are the stepping-stones on the way to achieving big things. Big goals don’t get achieved overnight, but the little goals add up quickly, and when the big victory finally happens, it will feel like it happened overnight. My overnight success took almost sixteen years to accomplish, so I was not surprised when it happened. I’d spent every day of my life working towards it.

If it was easy, it would not be worth it. Go ahead and take massive action. Go for it! Obstacles will come, oh yes they will. For me, working hard is a daily business. It is a marathon, not a sprint. “Success is not a result of luck. It is a result of how you spend your free time.” I always have a few different goals, so that when I need a break from one I can focus on another. Very few painters work only on one piece at a time—they work on many. Put passion into all your actions, and have many actions devoted to different passions.

Tell Yourself that you are going to have a life that counts. You are going to make an effort to never give up. You are full of determination. You are ready to work hard and play hard. You will be the master of your time. Let go of your mistakes; today is a new day. Be ground zero for an epidemic of positivity. You are going to be a doer and not a procrastinator. You are going to be a dreamer and not a dream-denier. You are going to hang out with others who lift you up and encourage your self-actualization. Shed your bad habits, and let good habits take root through repetition.

Life is About Making Progress. People are going to try and talk you out of your dreams. They will suck up your time with nay-saying, or criticize you and pick you apart. But you tell them that Derek said to back off. Stay away from those people who are imprisoned by negativity. They’re not even doing good for themselves, so how can they possibly be doing good for you?

Don’t Worry About Failing. It is nothing. It is the voice of other people ringing inside our heads. Failure is a great teacher and in a way has been my friend all along. Remember Thomas Edison’s quote: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Failure is also a test. Failure might be telling us that we need to change direction and execute a different plan of attack or a new strategy.

To Be Successful, we must be strategic in taking risks. Risks will take us to untamed and uncharted territory, but it is in these places that we become all we can be.Stay Creative. Sometimes you will have to sit quiet for thirty minutes, so you can clear your mind of all the noise. You will be amazed at what ideas or revelations come to you when you just put aside all the distractions of modern life.

I hope that you are no longer afraid to envision a better future. I hope that you are ready to live life without limits. As long as you still have breath in your lungs, there is time to start over. As long as there is blood running in your veins, you have time to make your dreams happen. We have the rest of our lives from this moment on to realize our ambitions.Change The World by changing yourself. Once you are confident about your own ability to achieve, you can help create a world of achievers and leaders through your example.

“You have inspired me to never give up just because the times get tough”
Violet R.
“I can compare my life to what you have been through because I am in a group home right now. Thank you for sharing your life story with me. You are right, we all can be something in life.”
Lucy H.
“When I went into the gym for the assembly, I thought what am I in here for? I was like…okay, another guy telling me to stay in school, but when you started talking about your life, it really touched me. I was like, wow, how could someone live all that. I learned to appreciate my life a whole lot more.”
Meylen R.
“I can relate to what you said. Your songs are nice and they get the message across in a different way. Thanks for such a wonderful experience.”
Jordon D.
“That was so cool how you were one of us. I hate it when other adults sugar-coat things and talk to us like we’re babies. You have a great message and your songs are very meaningful.”
Fallon G.
“Derek’s presentation was very powerful and truly motivating.”
- Marjorie S.
“It makes me more certain that I have what it takes to be the best I can be.”
-Aaron T.
“Your story touched my heart. You taught me to be the best person I can be and to not blame others for the bad times that have occurred in my life.”
- DeVante A.
“You speech had an impact on me. When I went home last night, I looked at myself in the mirror and said I ROCK-A gym full of students has never been as quiet and well behaved at this school and I don’t think an assembly will that respectful again. You really did make an impact on us.”
- Megan G.
“A lot of kids can say their lives suck because mommy and daddy didn’t buy them $200 jeans. I could tell that your story really made them think about their lives. It really made me think about my life. I hope you come back.”
– Ashley S.
“I thought I had a bad life but compared to yours, I should be grateful for mine. I have it good.”
-Vincent F.
“I really connected with you. I felt as if you were really looking at me during your presentation. I have the power now because of you”
-Michael T.
“My mom recently got me really angry and hearing your talk made me realize that my mom isn’t that bad. You helped me find love for my mom.”
-Nick F.
“When I sat there listening to your songs, it gave me a better outlook on my life and it made me realize that everyone can make something of themselves. Your story sent shivers up my back and from now on I have a different perspective and will appreciate the love my family gives me. Thank you Derek for giving me that strength.”
-Jackie V.
“Your message moved me and gave me strength.”
- Steven K.
“I’m going through hard times right now but Derek Clark made me confident that I can get through it. I actually believe.”
-Momier M
“Derek Clark to inspire me to continue being a foster parent.”
-Christy M.
“Derek Clark inspired me to keep my head up and keep moving forward.”
– Susana B.
“I was really amazed how Derek Clark lost so many good things in life and still had strength to be a good person. I will always remember “I ROCK” when I am feeling down about something."
- Belle G.
“You never gave up and that’s what really spoke to me. Now when I struggle in life, I won’t give up.”
- Alora D.
“You taught me to never give up”
–Mac T.
“One of your songs really hit close to home, the one about how you can do anything and be anyone. I will not take for granted a mothers hug”
–Erica D.
Derek Clark, I’m glad that you are a motivational speaker because if ever I was put in your situation I would not be alive today. But now after hearing you speak, if I go through any of that, I know to keep believing.”
–Chelsea B.
“I was really moved hearing about your past experiences. If you were able to overcome the experiences you went through, I know I can become a great human being as well.”
–Johriel C.
“Derek Clark was very inspirational. He brought great insight to what I am doing with my life.”
-Virto
“Derek Clark, I was touched by your life story. I realized how lucky I am to have parents that care for me and for you to still be here today and have not committed suicide or something is a miracle.”
Tyler E.
“Hi Derek Clark, I have never seen a school assembly about how to better your self emotionally. Thank you for bettering your life which shows us that we can do the same. I can be whatever I want to be. I ROCK. You have showed us that there is no bad event that we can’t fight against. I will do the best I can in all that I do.”
-Nat
“Your story has honestly changed my perspective of looking at life. It just proves that anything is possible and “I got the Power.”
- Nathan A.
“Your story is very uplifting and positive.”
– Baylee T.
“I loved listening to Derek Clark speak with so much emotion and feeling. It made me feel your life. You give so many people courage and comfort knowing that anyone can make it in life.”
-Rebecca I.
“Derek Clark has inspired me to always believe in myself.”
-Leesa B.
“You ROCK”
– Sarah W.
“After listening to Derek Clark’s story, I am more motivated to go to college and be someone.”
- Manny
“Derek Clark’s speech has influenced me to do better in school. It has taught me to take control of my life. I felt like I could do the tough things in life and that nothing can get in my way."
- Cody S.
“Derek Clark, I love your song “I wanna be a kid”. I recorded you with my iPhone so now I can listen to you when I’m feeling a little mad. It can calm me down.”
John Doe
“You assured the students that they have the power to live for today and change tomorrow.”
-Lauren S.
“Derek Clark,You made me look at the bright side of life and that I’m responsible for the outcome of my life. I could turn my life around and inspire my little brothers and sisters to go in the right path.”
- Junior S.
“Sharing a part of your life with us meant a lot to me. The way you talked to us about your life made me feel good about myself for once. You said lots of powerful stuff.”
–Sonya P.
“Derek Clark is such a blessing for what he does. He gives hope to all these kids.”
-Laurence R.
This session was awesome. I enjoyed hearing about Derek Clark’s story from his perspective. As case managers, we read the files and see the kids but we don’t always know the truth of how they feel.
Derek Clark was very interesting, moving and has an inspiring and wonderful testimony. He was a joy to hear. He touched my heart!
When you were speaking, things surprised me, it was the notion of you saying, there is a reason why we have a dream so live it. I’ve listened to many speakers before in my short life but for once that truly hit me.
I loved your story and presentation.
Derek! You were one of the best speakers I have ever heard and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story with us! You were absolutely amazing!!! YOU rock! The best training is hearing from foster youth and their journey in foster care. Derek Clark was inspirational.
Wonderful! What an eye opener, Thanks!
Excellent speaker
Derek Clark is Great, Inspirational, Awesome!
“Excellent”, I want to express my good feelings about this presentation. Thanks to him and also to the TFFA for bringing him
Great, very encouraging, don’t give up on the kids. Derek Clark was EXCELLENT
Best workshop I have been to. Derek Clark gives us hope when sometimes as foster parents we see No Hope.
This training has opened my eyes to help the angry little boy we have now. THANK YOU Derek Clark. God Bless you Always
Inspiring presentation. Derek Clark was entertaining and insightful
Dear Derek- On behalf of FBLA-PBL National Officer Team I would like to thank you for your inspiring heart felt message at NFLC Milwaukee! I know it touched others like it did us. We love your mic skills!! We were dancing back stage!! With passion 2011-12 National Officer Team
Very moving story. Enjoyed it. I got a new perspective on things. THANK YOU
Very touching stories. Loved all of Derek Clark’s stories and feel blessed to be loved by my family.
Derek Clark is a great communicator and provides great motivation.
I was at the Milwaukee Conference for Future Business Leaders of America and I just wanted to say that your message was very powerful and very eye-opening. Plus, you totally rocked the mic. Thank you for speaking at the conference.
Terrifically Inspiring!
Very interested seeing and hearing the feelings of Derek Clark, the foster child. Hearing how he lived in foster care for years was so encouraging.
Awesome speaker! Derek Clark’s Music and life story were very encouraging and heart breaking for foster parents to hear, but one we needed to hear.
Derek Clark is an incredible speaker. I would love to see more of him.
The stories you shared from the pain of your childhood has made you strong. Thank God you survive so much pain at an early age. “Look at you now”
Great speaker, useful information.
Very informative and enjoyed Derek Clark’s real life experiences What a horrible life but what a wonderful man Derek Clark turned out to be.
His story is amazing…very hopeful. It was fantastic. Derek has unbelievable information. My soul was touched.
Wonderful
Fantastic
Spellbounding; the real story; inspiring; bring him back again
Outstanding
Very good presentation
He should have been on first to remind us why we are here. An hour was not enough. I wish I could hug you.
Inspirational! Good reminder of the strength of the spirit. Thank you
Excellent; thanks so much for sharing your journey
Derek’s story is a reminder of why we do what we do. I learn from these stories about what things make a difference – perhaps we can help others in the face of adversity
Excellent presenter; presentation
Bring him to Wichita in 2014
Absolutely amazing. One of the greatest presenters I’ve ever heard
Really good presentation
Really enjoyed – even though it brought up a lot of feelings from my past
Wonderful message; presentation
Not what I expected – much better. Great presentation; so many lessons for social services workers. Thank you all for bringing this speaker to Kansas. (and I have a better understanding of rap music, which I did not previously like).
A great presenter, fun to listen to, gave us hope!
This man was amazing. Wished it was longer time, bring him back for a workshop next year
Great presentation
Refreshing and restorative; why we do what we do
Absolutely wonderful; inspirational; will be purchasing; recommending
Excellent
Very powerful
Thanks for sharing Derek’s story
Great energy; inspiring
Our work does matter!
Inspirational, such hope.
The most amazing presentation I have ever attended
Loved this, great message, so inspirational, bring him back
Excellent, most agencies; foster parents need to have Derek as a presenter
Very good, excellent story for this kind of conference
Really enjoyed the way he shared his story
Best keynote ever
Inspiring, great speaker, truly a message of hope
Congratulations – you are a survivor; music was incredible; you are amazing, thanks for sharing your story; positive message, very impactful
Thank you for sharing your life – your story
What a blessing, God Bless
Excellent speaker, wonderful presentation
The best keynote I’ve ever seen. Thank you
Oh my goodness..this was such a wonderful presentation! I used up all the Kleenex at my table
Wonderful, great speaker, thoroughly enjoyed you. Thank God for you.
Amazing, would love to hear more
Thanks for sharing your story
Amazing! Best speaker I have seen in my 11 years of social work! Would love to see him speak all day long.
Very powerful story
Best speaker of the conference. Derek, you are an inspiration to all of us. You never gave up & let everyone know they should not either.
Bring him back for individual workshops
This was the absolute best part of the Governor’s Conference
Powerful
Exceptional. Thank you for being vulnerable; sharing your story with not only us but the world…many blessings as your life & purpose unfolds.
Thank you for sharing your story & investing in the professional development of those working with children & families.
Inspiring & uplifting, best speaker ever at a conference
Extremely dynamic. I will be checking out his stuff & sharing it w/the kids I work with
Would love to see a longer presentation. These types of speakers are inspiring and keep me on track & passionate about my work
Love the music
Truthful, funny, moving. Never change your presentation. Thank you for sharing your life story
Hands down the best
Thank you for sharing your gift.
This is why I’m a social worker.
Excellent – exactly what we needed to hear
Bring him back in 5 years
I could listen all day long. Thank you for all you do. This was truly a wonderful session and I have taken so much from it both personally & professionally.
Would definitely listen to him speak again
Your story touched my life but also reminds me why I do this job
Real life experiences help understand the work we do is so important
So motivational; really inspired me to keep trying with the seemingly unchangeable youth
Hits close to home; survivor
I like hearing about real life success stories from kids who have survived the foster care system
Best speaker I have ever heard
Most relatable
Thanks for the tears and letting me realize there is hope
The story was very touching and motivates me as a worker to view kids from a different perspective to better help meet their needs.
I thoroughly feel invigorated after hearing his message and will definitely share this with many, many, clients
A breath of fresh air.
“I appreciated when you talked about the importance of giving back to the world when nobody is watching.”
-Connor L.
Derek Clark was a great way to end the conference. I can’t imagine having something else as moving.
I felt captivated the entire time. Thank you Derek Clark for reminding me as a social worker why I do this work and reminding me not to give up on any kid.
Very touching and moving story about just one person’s struggle with life. Derek Clark illustrated the need for forgiveness.
Derek Clark’s presentation was a great experience. It’s hard to believe what this man had to go through. A tremendous story, a breath taking experience for me to hear!
His message through the stories of his life really made me think. Derek Clark’s presentation truly impacts us and sends a very important message that I can use in my job and personal life.
I absolutely loved hearing Derek Clark speak. I cried the whole time. I am trying to help a 13 year old to “never give up.” I adopted him 5 years ago. It had been hard but you helped me realize that I need to continue to stand by his side.
Best session I have been to all week. I liked how encouraging Derek Clark was for the foster parents to not give up. Really enjoyed the training.
Derek Clark, Your inspirational message has given me the strength to forgive my father that I haven’t seen or talked to since I was 10. I’m 40 years old now. Also, to forgive God for denying my husband and I to not be able to have biological children of our own. Thank you for your powerful message of the strength to forgive. This was the most raw and touching account of child abuse and forgiveness. You Derek Clark are truly a brave person. Thank you for being so willing to share such personal experiences with us for the sake of education.
“Derek Clark, You are a very inspiring speaker and you know how to get thru to us “Teens”. You made me appreciate and value everything I have been given and accomplished more than I ever had before.”
-A.R
“You showed me you can’t change the past, but you can change the future. I felt inspired from your story because I never really had a role model. You showed me I can accomplish anything.”
-Carlo M.
“Thank you for being there for the less fortunate.”
-Baxter M.
Derek Clark is Amazing/Wonderful/Great/Excellent/Awesome
Derek Clark Is Motivational/Inspiring/Powerful/Moving. Great Speaker!
Derek Clark’s life story had tremendous impact.
Derek Clark has powerful information for case workers and children in the system.
Derek Clark, I am getting ready to adopt and you have alleviated some of my fears for how my kid will turn out…
Derek Clark was an excellent speaker!
Derek Clark is a great motivator in both my work and personal life.
Keep sharing your inspiring message Derek Clark. God bless!
Derek Clark had a genuine and effective message that is very important and made an impact.
It’s always good to hear from a successful former foster care youth. Thank you Derek Clark
Thank you Derek Clark! I feel so encouraged to go back to work!
I loved how Derek Clark shared his music. It was original and really made me feel connected to his message. Derek’s story is inspiring.
This was better than any class I attended.
It was incredible the way that Derek Clark was able to connect his life and share with audience. I will share your incredible story with others and encourage them to never give up.
Thank you for your amazing testimony! Sometimes when I feel that I have done all that I can to help the kids I work with and feel like they are not getting better, I just pray to God for his divine intervention. Thank you and I hope and pray God continues to use you for his glory!
Thank you Derek Clark! Most incredible, powerful workshop yet. What a testimony. You have blessed my life with your words, your song, and your presence. I thank God for you.
He was so real with his message. He shared so much in his words. He made it real that what we as a group of people do is a good thing.
Hi Derek Clark, I am so blessed to have heard your story. I grew up with alcohol and verbal abuse. The scars took a long time to heal. Forgiveness is a powerful thing. My daughter, whom I adopted, has a biological mom that had a background similar to yours. I am so blessed to stop the cycle by being a loving, caring and loyal mom. I will keep you in prayer.
Derek Clark, You really spoke to me today! My mother suffered years of foster care with abusers both physically and sexually. She is the most amazing mother and now that I am 30 we are best friends. Unfortunately, my mother has never been able to forgive- but she has always some how been a loving and amazing mother and is a loving grandmother to my son. I wish she could have heard you today. You may have been able to help her heal. Thank you for being such an inspiration and for sharing all of your life’s journey with us! God Bless!
Thank you for your courage to share your story and music. It touched me deeply. You helped validate my commitments”
–Susan G.
“Wow, Amazing! I am speechless!
- Angel R.
“Thanks Derek. I was going to give my life up but now I realize that everything could affect my family. You made me feel very good and gave me hope.”
–F.D.
“Derek has inspired me to work harder everyday for all of the youth in my life.”
–Heidi E.
“I feel very inspired, very touched and very powerful.”
–Jen M.
“It was the best experience ever that I have had!!!”
–A.
“I like that he taught that when we set our minds on something we can achieve it.”
–E.
“We can be anything we want! If we work hard at it. As Derek says-I GOT THE POWER!”
“I feel inspired! It made me feel relieved that I’m not the only one out there that has been hurt and that I’m not alone. I LOVED IT! He says that we can be whoever we want to be! He answered the question that has always bothered me, That I can be somebody.”
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 and never limiting their potential.”-Derek Clark

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