Meet Dan
SPEAKER | AUTHOR | LIFE COACH
Dan empowers others to conquer whatever is
keeping them from living life to the fullest.
About Dan
Dan Kuiper is an energetic and engaging storyteller and teacher who delivers high-impact keynote presentations, seminars, and retreats that challenge audiences to rise above whatever threatens to prevent them from living life to the fullest. Audiences have discovered that his tools and strategies have significantly enhanced their lives at both a personal and professional level.
Described as passionate and genuine, Dan has spoken around the country to a wide variety of groups in addition to offering one-on-one life-coaching. Dan sees himself as a tour guide, helping individuals and organizations to overcome common roadblocks to success — obstacles like busyness, lack of direction, and negative thinking—and leading them to freedom and fulfillment they never thought possible.
Integrating humor and gut-wrenching honesty, event-planners will tell you that Dan is a master at connecting, not just with people’s heads, but with their hearts. Having grown up in an abusive, alcoholic home, Dan is especially passionate about helping others to overcome a painful past so they can heal their hurts, recognize their value, and discover their purpose. Dan is a certified addictions counselor and, before beginning his own business, served for several years as Director of Prevention and Education at a counseling agency in Lansing, Illinois.
Dan has been a Hoosier since birth and currently lives with his wife Jan in South Bend, Indiana. He is the father of three grown children and grandfather of eight.
When he is not traveling to speaking engagements, Dan can be found tending to his half-acre hosta garden, watching his beloved White Sox, listening to pop music hits from the 60s and 70s, and getting into mischief with his grandkids.
My Story
As the child of an abusive, alcoholic father, I grew up following the three rules of growing up in an alcoholic home:
- don’t talk
- don’t trust
- don’t feel
I didn’t talk about what was going on in my house because I was ashamed and embarrassed. Dad’s drinking was a family secret and was never to be discussed. I had a hard time trusting others as a kid because the people closest to me always seemed to let me down. I learned at an early age that if I wanted something done, I’d better do it myself. And I didn’t allow myself to feel. I kept all my anger, sadness, and fear inside, telling myself that no one would understand or care anyway.
Following those three rules protected me as a child. But I unwittingly continued to follow them for much of my adult life. And it almost killed me.
I credit my survival with the eventual realization that for me to live a whole and healthy life I needed to break the rules. I needed to talk about what was going on in my life. I needed to trust that there are good people in the world who love and accept me just as I am. And I needed to feel all those feelings that for years I had hidden, repressed, and denied.
In breaking those don’t talk, don’t trust, don’t feel rules I have experienced freedom I never thought possible. And it is my heart’s desire to help as many people as possible to find that same freedom. My childhood, as painful as it was, has brought about a lot of good in my life. It served to deepen my passion, strengthen my faith, and broaden my awareness of how—for good or bad—our past can affect our present.
In my life’s journey I have encountered countless people who are being held back from experiencing true joy and fulfillment in their lives because they are carrying burdens we aren’t meant to carry. Many are handcuffed by fear. Some are held captive by their past. Still others are weighed down by doubt, shame, or unforgiveness.
These unresolved issues affect every area of our lives—our self-concept, our marriage and family, our business relationships. My passion is to help people understand that no matter how difficult our life circumstances, we have choices in the matter. We are not destined for a life of misery, disappointment, and regret. We can conquer anything that threatens to hold us down. But we must first choose to do so. The journey toward hope and healing begins between our ears!
In my talks and coaching sessions, I provide practical tools to empower people to break through their doubt and despair so that they can live a satisfying and significant life. I have committed my life to helping others to become the best possible versions of themselves.
3 Reasons to Hire Me…
- I genuinely care about people. Said one 'Free to Soar' workshop participant, "Dan made me feel like the most important person in the room. Then I looked around and realized everyone else felt the same way."
- My purpose is to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. If you're looking for a keynote, conference, or retreat speaker, you don't want someone to make a speech. You want someone to make a difference.
- I offer what successful people not only want, they need. Money and possessions are nice, but a truly abundant life includes things money can't buy — like peace, hope, and joy.
