Darrell “Coach D” Andrews

Interview with Darrell Andrews

What got you interested in motivational speaking?

2 decades ago I sold Diagnostics Systems for Abbott Laboratories, a Fortune 500 company.  During my time there, they had a tape lending library. When I would do my daily sales calls, I would pop Les Brown, Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn and others to listen to for motivation. I eventually became a top sales producer for Abbott and I realized it was listening to the motivational messages on a daily basis that helped me to do so. It was then that I decided that I wanted to use my oratory gifts to do the same for others. It was then that I decided that speaking was my passion and desire. The influence of great speakers influenced me to pursue becoming the same.

Do you have a favourite experience from your speaking career?

Too many to mention one but I will give it a try.  I was invited to speak in Nairobi, Kenya to business leaders there.  To my surprise, the expected small group quadrupled in size!  I enjoyed speaking in Nairobi to business leaders there because they were like sponges. I ended up speaking there multiple days because they wanted to learn and grow and were hungry for knowledge. It did not take much to motivate them because they wanted to be motivated. They wanted to grow their businesses, engage their staffs and increase their business possibilities. Nairobi is an emerging market with great business potential.

How much does humor factor into your keynotes and other speaking engagements?

One of my mentors was Zig Ziglar. He told the many of us who he mentored over the years “If you are not adding humor into your speeches, don’t speak.” A keynote audience is coming to be inspired, engaged, informed and enlightened. The seasoned keynote speaker understands that you need a confluence of all the aforementioned. My audiences love the humor I add and are very much open to the strategies and insights I share in the presentation.

How are your keynote presentations unique?

One of my world renowned lines is “Motivation without information is simply a good conversation.”  This is why I call myself a “Motivational Strategist.” Companies and organizations pay me tens of thousands of dollars annually to speak, train and consult. As much as I want my audience to be entertained, my background in corporate as well a community leadership tells me that they need to be informed.

The word “Motive” is derived from “Motivation.” A motive is an inner state that is driven by a goal! People who attend my events walk away with a changed inner state that is fueled by the pursuit of goals. I want them to as motivated by achievement of goals and objectives as listening to me speak on the stage!

What inspires you; what motivates the motivator?

Speaking impacts people more than anything. I am inspired when people tell me their life, career or circumstance was changed by my speech or training. I am motivated by seeing organizations and individuals motivated to maximize their potential.  I am also motivated by my amazing family. I have been married for 24 years and have 4 of the most amazing kids on the planet. They are my daily fuel and inspiration!

Describe yourself in 3 words

• Passionate
• Strategic
• Committed