Chad's life is an example of overcoming adversity with perseverance, commitment, and hard work. Chad's infectious enthusiasm will speak loudly in the life of every listener.
Growing up in a broken home in the Detroit, Michigan area, Chad learned at a young age that life is sometimes unfair. From early childhood, Chad found himself surrounded by some of life's cruelest realities. Chad grew up watching his mother violently abuse alcohol and drugs, and basketball soon became his escape from the troubled lifestyle that surrounded him.
He was labeled an at-risk kid and should have been a statistic, but instead he beat insurmountable odds and every obstacle before him and became a high school All-American in basketball while playing for Detroit's Catholic Central High School. After high school, Chad went on to star at the University of Pittsburgh where he was a two-time captain and Bell Atlantic Scholar Athlete. After college, Chad realized his dream of playing professional basketball in the European professional leagues where he became an all-star and won the slam-dunk contest his rookie season. Then, at the height of his career, with more money awaiting him than he'd ever imagined, he left it all to pursue a greater purpose: helping others achieve their dreams no matter the odds and obstacles before them.
Today, Chad is the CEO of The Chad Varga Company and has established a national reputation as a communication expert who has an undeniable ability to relate with audiences of all backgrounds. He has spoken to more than 3 million people throughout America and has been a featured guest on many of America's major television and radio networks. Chad was named one of six up-and-coming leaders in America by New York Times Best Selling Author Dr. John Maxwell and has recently been nominated as one of the REAL Richest People In America for his work with students.
He is the author of two celebrated books: "Bounce: Down is Inevitable, Up is a Choice," and "If You Only Knew." He and his wife Kristie make their home in Bradenton, FL and are the proud parents of two incredible children, their son Cameron, and daughter Kiersten.
• Show Me Your Friends and I’ll Show You Your Future
• Average: Your Greatest Enemy
• Excuses Are a Sign of Weakness
• Hard Work Always Pays Off
• Attitude: The One Thing You Can Control
• Respect for Authority and the Opposite Sex
• Standardized Testing: Staying Motivated for Success
• Why Dreams Are the Key to Students Success
• Leadership: Why You Matter Now More than Ever
• Bullying, Teacher’s Edition: What It Really Looks Like and the Very Real Consequences
• Meeting Students at the Point of Their Greatest Challenges
• Why Your Child’s Dreams Matter
• Understanding Your Child’s Greatest Challenges
• Social Media: What You Should Know that They Already Know
• Keeping Your Child Accountable: It’s Not Sheltering…It’s Parenting
• Teachers Are a Key Ally: Partnering for Success
No matter what you’ve been told, your dreams matter. Pursuing them is the key to unlocking your passion and purpose in life. It is also the key to taking responsibility for your choices and becoming successful in the other areas of your life.