COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY
Speaking | College and University
Resilience is Everything
The Struggle and The Proof
For students who have faced immense challenges, the path to a college degree can feel daunting. Dee Hankins's keynote is a powerful and empathetic message for students in support programs like Guardian Scholars, EOPS, and others. Drawing directly from his personal journey of navigating the foster care system and the apathetic statistics that come with it, Dee meets students where they are. He shares how a single turning point a caring vice principal who saw his potential helped him overcome feelings of hopelessness and become the first in his family to not only graduate high school at the top of his class but also attend a university. This keynote is more than a story of survival; it’s a living example that life's "curveballs" can be hit for "home runs," empowering students to embrace their own journey, find strength in their story, and pursue their education against all odds.
The Mental Game of Life and Sport
College-Level Sports Teams
As a former Division 1 track athlete, Dee Hankins knows what it takes to win against all odds. In this high-energy keynote, he speaks directly to student-athletes, drawing powerful parallels between the challenges of life and the demands of competition. Dee shares his story of building the mental fortitude required to succeed on and off the field a resilience forged through a challenging childhood. He demonstrates that the drive to win a championship, overcome an injury, or secure a starting position is the same inner power required to overcome any of life’s "curveballs." This presentation is an essential message for any team, helping them understand that true strength isn't just physical; it's the ability to master your mindset, unite as a team, and channel adversity into the fuel needed to win in both life and sport.
Resilience is Every thing
The 3-Bucket Philosophy: A Champion's Mindset
Resilience is Everything
For students who have faced immense challenges, the path to a college degree can feel daunting. Dee Hankins's keynote is a powerful and empathetic message for students in support programs like Guardian Scholars, EOPS, and others. Drawing directly from his personal journey of navigating the foster care system and the apathetic statistics that come with it, Dee meets students where they are. He shares how a single turning point a caring vice principal who saw his potential helped him overcome feelings of hopelessness and become the first in his family to not only graduate high school at the top of his class but also attend a university. This keynote is more than a story of survival; it’s a living example that life's "curveballs" can be hit for "home runs," empowering students to embrace their own journey, find strength in their story, and pursue their education against all odds.
Participants in this workshop will learn how to:
Identify what is in their control: This is the bucket of "My Choices," containing their actions, their words, their effort, and their reaction to every situation. This is the only place they can actively work to strengthen their "Core Four" their physical and mental health.
Stop frustration and blame: They will learn how trying to control an unchangeable force, like an injury or bad weather ("Act of God"), leads to frustration that drains their energy. They will also understand how blaming teammates or officials ("Your Choices") robs them of their power to make a different choice next time.
Grow it: It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
OUTCOME
“Dee came to speak to our team. They were engaged and inspired by what he was teaching them. After he left we saw a drastic change in our players' attitudes, efforts, and teamwork. We've started our season undefeated”
Etiwanda Football Team