MY STORY
I was born and raised in inner city Jackson, Michigan. In my early years I was an all A, perfect attendance, “goody two shoes” type student who used to get teased and bullied for having dark skin, the large gap in my front teeth, being too emotional and being a black kid who talked and acted “white.”
Being constantly made fun drove me crazy, and eventually led me to change everything about myself to fit in with other people. Literally, I changed the way that I dressed, the music I listened and the way that I laughed. By the time I reached 7th grade I was selling drugs, skipping school, and living the “street life” to the point where I was nearly expelled from our public school system after 10 suspensions in a year.
Thankfully, while all this identity crisis was happening in my life, I was increasingly becoming good at sports - earning U.S. Top 100 rankings in football and basketball. Determined, and some would say destined to play professionally because of my height athleticism, and skill, I earned a full-ride scholarship to play both sports at Central Michigan University.
Unfortunately, I ruptured a disc in my back my true freshman year, and rather than retiring after my emergency surgery, I came back and started as a defensive end for two years all because of two things - opioids, and a drug-selling lifestyle to pay for the medical expenses. After having frequent nosebleeds at practices/games (from taking too many opioids), and developing a permanent hunch in my back, my coaches and administrators dismissed me from the team and I was forced to face the hardest battle of my life - depression.
I attempted to end my life multiple times, and lost more than 50 pounds in four weeks from not eating properly. Gratefully, my mother convinced me to allow her to take me to get some help. She admitted me into the psychiatric care unit at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and my life changed forever.
I found faith in Christ after a shocking experience, and started to believe my life had purpose beyond sports. I saw a counselor for the first time, penned my first journal entry, participated in my first mindfulness exercise and started to experience firsthand the power of taking space for mental health practices. In my keynotes I say “ I had a system of success as an athlete. I didn’t have a system of self care.” Moving forward, I made up my mind to integrate both of these systems in my life and started experiencing rapid results - first winning team communication awards in Higher Education, then authoring my first best selling and producing a 2 million plus view TEDx talk all while pastoring college students and eventually a congregation 3xs my age.
In the short sections below, you’ll hear about the companies I founded, the books I’ve written, and raw testimonials of how others would describe me and the impact I made on their life.
I hope you connect and engage in multiple ways as you walk out your purpose on this planet. I strongly believe if you’re reading this section of my website, there’s no accident or coincidence that you’re here. Hopefully, you find what you’re looking for and more!
SPEAKING
Organizations bring Darryll in to motivate their audience and equip their team to grow from the inside out.
SPEAKER COACHING
Entrepreneurs join one of Darryll’s Message to Movement Programs to grow their business by speaking on in person and virtual stages where their ideal customers are. Darryll and his team help with everything from designing the talks, booking the talks, deepening the impact, and increasing income. If you’re interested in learning more about these programs, click the button below to apply. We’ll review your application and be in touch via email.
SEEDING GREATNESS
Seeding Greatness is a multimedia production and consulting company leading a movement of spiritual leaders healing humanity and restoring the planet through their stories and services. Connect with us to help us tell your story or to learn about the speakers we have on our boutique agency roster.
Contact us via connect@seedinggreatness.com.
BOOKS
My first book “Who Am I After Sports? An Athlete’s Roadmap to Discover New Purpose and Live Fulfilled” has helped thousands of athletes at every level from high school to professional/Olympic.
My next book Self C.A.R.E. Success: How High Performers Win Inside & Out is currently in production. Click the button below to be the first notified when it releases and access all the amazing free bonuses.