Professional Speaking
A Midwest kid who grew into an outstanding athlete, Drew achieved All State honors in leading his undefeated high school basketball team to the state finals. He earned a 4–year basketball scholarship to the University of Kansas. He parlayed his success on the court into a job as the sports anchor on the 6 o’clock news for an NBC affiliate while hosting his own radio show. Moving into the business sector he was a star salesman and sales manager, starting and selling his own company and eventually rising to president of another $40million company. He was on top of the world.
Then,
a few years later the rug was pulled out from under him. He lost his health,
his vitality, and his career. For the first time in his life he had nothing.
After months in the hospital, major surgery and months of post-op depression
he couldn’t find his way back. “I found myself listening to
my boss recite my list of short-comings and failures,” he says, “and
realized I had no response. I was whipped, physically and emotionally.“
Drew’s story of how he fought his way back from extreme physical hardship, disease and depression is compelling and revealing. He learned the difference between what you are given and what you earn. And he fashioned an approach that centers on breaking every obstacle down into manageable bits, to measuring progress slowly over time and staying true to one’s self no matter the temptation or challenge.
As an athlete, a coach, a family man and a businessman, Drew punctuates his speeches with anecdotes both humorous and inspiring...from taking a pie in the face on live TV to dining with Muhammad Ali...all the while reinforcing the notion that, “Success inflates the ego and intoxicates the mind, but when you lose—you find out who you really are.”
Drew’s talks have led audiences to look within themselves for who they really are, to recognize and hold sacred their personal integrity and virtues and to stay true to them in overcoming adversity.
“He’s the guy I’d pick first for a pickup game or final showdown—from basketball to business, because he’s a winner and he makes winners of everybody else.”
— Chip Harlow, CEO
“Drew is an inspiration to anyone he meets. You believe in what he says because he’s real.”
— David Holley, High School Principal