Voice By Matt Matt Berthot

Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Derrion Thomas developed a passion for athletics from an early age. As a five-year-old with severe asthma, he took up swimming on the recommendation of their pediatrician to strengthen their lungs. This not only improved their lung health but also sparked a 15-year swimming career, providing opportunities to travel the world and even qualify for Olympic trials. Unfortunately, an injury stifled that dream, leading him to take up football, a sport once dominated by their late father. Despite being a late bloomer and only playing football in their senior year of high school, Derrion earned a preferred walk-on spot at the University of Missouri Football team.
 
At the University of Missouri, Derrion Thomas studied Psychology and Business, graduating in 2013. After graduation, they discovered a passion for fitness and personal development, leading to the opening of 58 Fitness, a small group personal training studio in Kansas City, in 2014. Over the years, he worked with over 3000 clients, helping many achieve their fitness goals and improve their lives.
 
In 2019, He transitioned from the fitness industry to start a construction company with a friend. Though the partnership didn't last, they continued in the business and now successfully run their own construction company, focusing on residential and commercial renovation and commercial light new construction.
 
Committed to leaving the world better than they found it, He dedicates much of his free time to serving on the boards of or supporting local charities. Derrick Thomas Third and Long Foundation, Special Olympics, Bacchus Foundation are just a few of the charity Derrion continues to serve.
 
https://www.thirdandlong.org/

Emily Frisella is a mission driven entrepreneur starting her first brick and mortar business at the age of 20.  She is the Founder of The Paper & Plan Co., A three time published best-selling author of  Relationships First-People, Passion & Profits, The Fresh Farmhouse Kitchen and The Saints Plate & The Sinners Dinner Cookbooks, Founder of The Women in Business Workshop, COO of 44Seven Media, COO of Arete Syndicate, Co-Founder of Freedom Reads book club, Business Coach & Speaker.   
https://emilyfrisella.com/
 

Huey Scott, aka Mr. World Wide, a master traveler on a quest for adventure, cultural exploration, and inspiring others to live their best lives through travel. With his white gloves and wanderlust, Huey has already explored 31 countries and won't stop until he checks off every destination on his bucket list, spanning every continent. His travelography goal is set high to satisfy his wanderlust, and sharing cultural stories. But it's not just about the thrill. Huey honors God and dedicates himself to changing lives one trip at a time. When he's not jet-setting, filming, teaching, or making new friends, he focuses on personal development to nurture his own growth. Follow Huey's journey as he helps people share their truths and stories, leaving a positive impact on everyone he encounters!

Gene Early engages at the interface of leadership and organizational development, catalyzing individualand organizational transformation. His work globally with CEOs, senior leaders, and Board membersspans the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. With a deceptively light touch, he listens deeply to hisclients and their teams discovering their essence while identifying core identities, competencies, andcollaborations emerging from those identities. His congruence in walking the talk elicits deep trust offeringpowerful growth strategies to his clients and their organizations.As a senior advisor in Leaders’ Quest, Gene has led learning journeys for over twenty years on fourcontinents with senior executives from multi-nationals committed to integrating purpose and performance.When Covid hit, he pivoted from his primary work with Leaders’ Quest to establish a virtual coaching andconsulting practice.He presently is coaching the CEO and the President of 100 Coaches Agency, a talent organizationbirthed by Marshall Goldsmith and Scott Osman that curates and connects senior coaches with Fortune50-100 CEOs and senior executives in the US and abroad. He is a member of the Board of Advisors forthe Business Leaders Network. He also has led the collaboration of a globally sourced program exploringthe development of 10x Mindset and Action. His most recent writing includes 200 posts on the subject of10x Mindset, 100 of which can be found at his LinkedIn site.Previously, he co-founded Genomic Health, a Silicon Valley molecular diagnostic company that producedthe first genomic based, breast cancer diagnostic test. In addition, he was Vice-Chancellor of Operationsat the University of the Nations-Kona, the original resource campus for this global university with branchcampuses in over 600 locations. While living in Copenhagen, he co-founded the first NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Institute in Europe to train professionals in sophisticated communication skillsand helped develop NLP institutes in six European countries. During this time, he also worked with CEOsin the Academy of Chief Executives (UK) as a strategic thinking partner in executive development. HisPhD is in leadership and organizational development.
gene.early@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/geneearly
 

J.J's BIOA Small Man in a Big Man’s GameTo appreciate the Hero’s Journey that is JJ Birden’s life, youmust first know a few important facts: Less than 6% of high school seniors go on to play college football Of the 150,000 draft-eligible college football players, only 253 (less than 1%) are selected in the NFL draft The average NFL career is less than 2 years The average NFL player is 6’2, 245 lbs.The odds of making it to the NFL are staggering. The odds ofstaying in the NFL are even more amazing. The odds of doingboth are the most astronomical of all when you’re undersized and play one of the sport’s mostphysical positions. Good thing JJ Birden never cared about the odds of success.Despite being the #1 high school wide receiver in Oregon, JJ didn’t receive a single D1scholarship offer. He was fast enough for sure, but at 5’9 and 133 lbs., JJ was just too small toplay with the big boys. At least that’s what the naysayers thought; JJ knew he was goodenough, and he set his mind to achieving the impossible. All he needed was an opportunity, nomatter how small, even if it meant making his own.After receiving a scholarship to the University of Oregon for track & field, JJ earned a walk-onspot with the football team his sophomore year. He was at the bottom of the depth chart andnowhere near seeing actual playing time on the field, but his coaches and teammates didn’tknow how hard he was willing to work. It didn’t take long for them to find out: JJ became astarter the next season, his junior year.But like all long-shot stories and underdog tales, JJ’s trials were just beginning. The remainderof his college career was plagued with injuries and unimpressive stats. Still, JJ’s speed andtoughness were enough to earn him an invite to the NFL Combine, a yearly gathering of the top300 college prospects in the nation. Unsurprising to his teammates, coaches, and fans, JJdominated the Combine. His performance earned him the 216th pick in the 8th round of the 1988NFL Draft. That’s when the going got really tough. A series of injuries and failed physicals culminated in one of the darkest moments in JJ’s earlycareer, and one of the hardest weeks imaginable for anyone: JJ was rejected by 4 NFL teams in5 days. He could have walked away from the game and given up hope in spite of what seemedlike insurmountable odds, but JJ didn’t even flinch. Instead, he did what he’s always done whenfaced with adversity—he found a way to win.JJ would go on to play 9 seasons in the NFL (remember, the average career is less than aquarter of that) despite never being the biggest, strongest or most physical guy on the field.What kept JJ on the field for almost a decade wasn’t just how he played the game but ratherhow he approached every day like it was game day. JJ was willing to put in the work and dowhatever it took to improve.Now a motivational speaker and performance coach, JJ shares lessons from his life that helpaudiences of all ages, backgrounds, and professions realize the most important thing aboutsuccess—it is never given, but always earned. JJ’s inspiring keynote presentations outline theprinciples and strategies that helped an undersized wide receiver overcome spectacular odds;the same principles and strategies that can help anyone perform at the highest levels in allwalks of life.JJ is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, husband and father. He hasbeen married to his college sweetheart, Raina, for 30 years and has 8 children (3 biological and5 adopted nieces and nephews). He and his family reside in the Phoenix area.JJ Birden is an engaging communicator, passionate presenter, and a leading authority onhelping individuals seize their opportunities in life. Request more information to speak with JJand to learn how he can tailor his motivational keynote presentations to empower your group toachieve greatness.
JJ Birden | Inspiring Your Team To Success | jjbirden.com | 888 584-41

JASON’S BIO:
Jason Meland is a former firefighter who’s career was cut short after a near fatal electrocution accident…
After the fire service, he began pursuing a career in the fitness industry where he grew a gym in South Florida to over 250 members.
During Covid, things took a turn and he launched himself fully into the online fitness coaching space where he grew his business to multiple six figures using organic social media in just under 12 months.
He is now the founder & CEO of the In Demand Coach, where he teaches coaches how to grow their businesses through his Organic Growth System.
Jason has been featured on American Ninja Warrior, ABC, Entrepreneur.com (http://Entrepreneur.com) and multiple other publications.