Overcoming obstacles. Attaining what others say is against the odds.

Exceptionalism doesn't have to be a trait you're born with, it can also be what you're capable of accomplishing with the talents you posses.

David has proven this time and again throughout his life. He has clearly demonstrated that even common individuals with the proper mentors, leadership, focus and thirst for knowledge can accomplish what others say can’t be done.

Born premature and raised by a loving adopted family, David struggled with his education due to a level of dyslexia. His parents were told that his learning disability would probably keep him from graduating high school, and if he was lucky enough to get into college, he wouldn’t make it through the first semester.

While growing up David watched his friends win awards in school, sports and extra-curricular activities. He was left wondering why he wasn’t part of this “culture of success.” David was taught that mankind is designed for accomplishment and engineered for success. This left David even more perplexed as to why he wasn’t finding his own victories in life.

After quitting the Boy Scouts for a six-month period, his parents shared with him why he was making a monumental mistake. They knew this teachable moment could translate into a lifelong pattern of facing obstacles and overcoming them, or becoming demoralized when facing them. David realized even at a young age, that there are goals in life that are long-term and must be broken into smaller, individual goals. He rejoined Scouts and earned what only 3% of kids in America achieve – the rank of Eagle Scout – amazingly, at the age of 14! This act, held in the highest regard by all who attain this rank, was the turning point in David’s life. He learned everyone is capable of achieving their personal best with the right formula of drive and passion.

In December of 1991, when only two out of 10 college graduates were finding a job, David was hired by a company that had not hired a college graduate in 20 years. For the first two years of his sales career he experienced anything but success. It was in his second year that his mentor took him under his guidance, provided David the resources and training for sales success, and watched him become the number one sales representative in the company. The following year, David became the first “Million Dollar Salesman” the company recognized.

David quickly found success in the Pharmaceutical industry as well. Among his 1,500 colleagues, David found himself believing in a product that others did not want to sell, in a poor performing territory. With only a year and a half of experience and a lot of passion – David not only accomplished becoming the number one sale representative in the country, for the first time in company history – with his short tenure, he was nominated “Pharmaceutical Sales Representative of the Year.” This is where David earned his title “Minister of Motivation.”

He took this same level of passion and applied it to martial arts. At the age of 30, witnessing a policeman in the city park, standing off three intoxicated thugs, David hesitated as to whether he should help the officer. After a long night of struggling with his hesitation, he took up his long time friend's offer to join his martial arts school. Five years later, David earned his first Dan Black Belt and is now instructing others.

David spent a lifetime leveraging his experiences to help others achieve their personal best. He is a much sought-after motivational speaker in Charlotte, Asheville, Hickory and surrounding areas.  He functions as team leader and life coach at work, church and in the community. David now resides in Hickory, NC, with his wife and best friend Amy, and his two daughters Savannah and Riley Washco.