Dan Thurmon
Workplace Performance Expert, Best Selling Author, Hall of Fame Speaker
Dan Thurmon is the founder and President of Motivation Works, Inc, a company that helps leaders and their organizations move confidently through change and transformation, so they become, achieve, and contribute MORE.
His clients include Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, Marriott, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Prudential, State Farm, and Walmart.
Dan is an expert speaker and performer. He’s delivered thousands of presentations across six continents for audiences including world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, educators, and even troops on the front lines of battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2011, he was inducted into the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame -- and is one of fewer than 200 living speakers to have received this honor.
Dan has served as the President of the National Speakers Association. During his tenure, he led the Board of Directors and the 3,000+ member organization through a critical transformation, which included new governance; new mission, vision, and values; higher member value; and greater financial accountability.
He is also a writer and content producer. He’s authored three books: Success in Action, Off Balance On Purpose, and Positive Chaos.
Along with his speeches and books, Dan produces an ongoing, weekly video-coaching series and podcast in which he shares leadership principles and life-enhancement strategies in under three minutes.
Dan and his teenage daughter, Maggie, have become social media sensations on TikTok. Several of their videos have been viewed more than 30 million times, and their personal channel has well over a million subscribers. Maggie and Dan’s creative and enthusiastic content resonates strongly with an audience that spans the world.
Dan built his first company, a live entertainment firm, in the late 1980s as a means of financing his education at the University of Georgia. There, he received his degree in Business. In the mid-1990s, Dan changed his firm’s focus, from live entertainment to corporate education, so he could more fully use his knowledge about peak performance and help businesses succeed at a much higher level.
He is a health and fitness advocate. In his 50s, Dan continues to train and perform advanced acrobatics, and enjoys hobbies such as golf, mountain unicycling and the flying trapeze.
Positive CHAOS
We're living in a time where "change" has become"CHAOS." Events that seem unpredictable and out of our control can create an environment of anxious overwhelming stress. Or, you can leverage today's CHAOS into breakthroughs of understanding and exponential future results.
Dan will teach you the truth about CHAOS. You'll gain insights and tools to transform your CHAOS from a negative state to a strategic advantage.
Learn to see clear patterns in what now appears random, and take intentional action to shape them for your benefit!
- Understand and use the principles of Chaos Theory in order to take more confident action during uncertain times.
- Identify existing patterns within seemingly random or unpredictable events, or within consistent recurring similar situations and obstacles. Shape those patterns more intentionally to create dramatically better future results.
- At the end of this presentation, attendees are more resourceful, confident and comfortable in the midst of change, for themselves and those they lead.
Off Balance On Purpose – Improving Work-Life Alignment
The incredible challenges of COVID have impacted every aspect of how we live and how we work. It's now crystal clear that there isn't a "work life" and a "home life." You get ONE life, and improvement starts with handling what matters most.
Dan Thurmon believes we set ourselves up for failure trying to "compartmentalize life" or "achieve balance." Balance isn't what you get. It's what you DO. When we recognize what's necessary and initiate meaningful changes, you are living Off Balance On Purpose. You are also more successful, productive, and fulfilled.
This keynote will help you embrace lifelong learning and stretch into the next opportunity, leveraging your past experience into present action and future success. Dan amplifies his messages with exciting stunts and interaction, making the learning memorable. Your audience will talk about this presentation for years to come!
As a result of attending this program attendees will:
- Know how to act with confidence, even when it's uncomfortable.
- Have a model to align personal growth to professional excellence.
- Feel more excited and optimistic about what's to come, and their role in making it happen.
WORKSHOP: Off Balance on Purpose in Practice
Your people are your organization. When individuals perform well, the organization does too. For organizations to truly thrive, especially with a millennial workforce, they need to provide hands-on opportunities for personal development and create a culture of personal performance.
“Change is hard. Motivation is only valuable if there is ACTION that creates change. That is why I created this workshop – to help you deliver real change for your teams.” Dan Thurmon
This workshop is interactive (each participant gets their own workbook), introspective and personal. After the course, participants will be equipped to better integrate all aspects of their life so each area is strengthened and fully developed. Participants will also take stock of what they should stop/start/continue and create an action plan for themselves.
Enhancing personal performance is the new corporate strategy. Adding this workshop to Dan’s keynote on the same day will reinforce and solidify this year's goals for your organization.
Perform – Ability
It isn’t really possible to “always be at your best because every moment counts” - some moments count much more than others. That’s why it’s more important to be your best when it matters the most.
In this keynote, peak performance speaker Dan Thurmon explores the reasons why some individuals fail under pressure, and why others seem to naturally rise to handle critical moments with ease and excellence. This isn’t an innate talent – it’s an ability that can be learned and mastered. Dan calls it “Perform-Ability."
The key to being able to “perform,” or deliver excellence when it matters the most, is to prepare properly and understand the mindset and methods of top performers. Dan demonstrates these concepts in his signature high-impact style that includes juggling, acrobatics, and even a unicycle. Audiences leave this unforgettable session armed with new tools and the enthusiasm to tackle their biggest challenges.
The most memorable keynote speaker we've had!
Dan is, without a doubt, the most memorable keynote speaker we've had in the past ten years – a span that covers more than 250 events. And equally important to us, he is the most professional speaker we've ever met. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Dan and his team.
Jack Mortimer, Government, Technology Events
We couldn’t stop talking about the session. The entertainment elements were all tied to the learning. It was a home run!
Jim Mulcahy, Training Director, McDonald’s
Dan was the perfect end to a very successful day. I'm still getting positive feedback on your message four weeks later!
John Nyland, Managing Partner, IBM
Your ability to weave what you learned during our meetings and your trip with one of our consultants in the field really helped build up your credibility with our field staff.
Mark G. Moraitakas, Chick-fil-A
You challenged us to use our gifts, and to take action when we have the chance. On behalf of all 72,000 members of the Raytheon team, please accept my deepest thanks.
William SwansonChairman and CEO, Raytheon Company
Your lesson to let go of things that hold us back was exactly right for our members who face the daily challenges to make the right decision for their communities - it truly resonated.
Ross King, Executive Director, ACCG
The power behind your motivating speech helped our field force to make sure about the importance of attitude, take commitment with action and how looking up is superior to looking down!
Elaine M. Acosta, District Sales Manager, GlaxoSmithKline P.R.
I have heard attendees say that you are the BEST presenter they have ever seen, and I have to agree! Your energy and enthusiasm are evident from the moment you take the stage, and it's infectious.
Ellen H. Wentz, Deloitte
Dan not only made the presentation fun and engaging for our attendees, he seamlessly wove our company messaging into his performance. This was voted the best keynote we have ever had at this conference.
Julie Ewing, Transition Coordinator, JLL
The valuable strategies you were able to visually convey through your presentation gave our participants a strong image and affiliation with our goals and objectives.
Pam Elledge, Director of Business Development, Delta
