My name is Darryl C. Richie, and I became an inspirational speaker in 2013 after meeting my Life Coach. He encouraged me to be an inspirational speaker after I told him about my story of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee during my four years of high school.
I’m looking to inspire teenagers and young adults with my superhero story.
My Life Coach said I’ve overcome so many adversities at such a young age and I should share my story with others because I could inspire people who have been through similar situations and to move forward with their lives.
When I approached him with my new and improved PowerPoint Presentation, I have a section where I talk about my connection with a video game superhero character named Cole MacGrath from inFAMOUS. When I first showed him my PowerPoint, I thought he was going to judge me because I was talking about my connection with a digital character.
Turns out he understood where I was coming from because he said my story is a superhero story. He is older than me, and once I knew I got through to him by showing and telling him about my connection with Cole. I realized I had something special on my hands that has never been done before.
To check out my “The Connection” speech about how I connect my experiences and realities of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee to the digital world of the inFAMOUS videogame franchise and superhero Cole MacGrath, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zQ2xvCoxw0
To check out my “CalmandStrong: Part 2.5 Slideshow Video with inFAMOUS Music Montage,” click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L51lC_mmkuM
I applied for many jobs and couldn’t land a long-term position from 2013 to 2014. In 2015, I decided to pursue being an inspirational speaker full-time. When I put all my energy into “CalmandStrong,” I slowly began to feel better about myself because I was doing something I was passionate about.
To find out more about how and why I started my company, “CalmandStrong,” click here: http://www.calmandstrong.net/calmandstrong-retrospective
I also knew I wasn’t going to become an exceptional inspirational speaker overnight, so I worked on perfecting my craft by joining Toastmasters and CSUSB and I started volunteering at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital (the same hospital where I did my chemotherapy treatment at 14 and 17 years old from 1999-2000 and 2002-2003).
Even though I haven’t made any income from my hard work yet, I still feel great about what I’m doing because I’ve always been passionate about what I’ve created. I believe the money will come eventually, and even though the progress has been slow, it is still progress getting me closer to where I want to be in life.
“Money don’t make my world go ‘round, I’m reaching up for the higher ground.”
– British Soul Singer Des’ree, Crazy Maze, I Ain't Movin'
To check out photos of my accomplishments and acknowledgements so far, click here: http://www.calmandstrong.net/photos
My story alone of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee is unusual and dramatic enough, but I wanted to take it a step further by talking about my connection with my favorite superhero: Cole MacGrath.
I had to get my right leg amputated at 17 years old in 2003, and I was struggling to find my purpose in life. When the original inFAMOUS was released in 2009, it helped make my life a little bit easier because I felt I knew what Cole was going through when electrical superpowers were forced upon him, because I was forced to have knee cancer twice during my teen years.
The game helped me make a decision: to think positive and do something to help myself; or stay in a dark and depressing place because I didn’t have control of my situation.
To find out more about my struggle, pain and accomplishments, click here: http://www.calmandstrong.net/about-darryl
To find out more about my connection with inFAMOUS and superhero Cole MacGrath, click here: http://www.calmandstrong.net/letter-to-sucker-punch
From all the events I’ve been invited to during the last few years, about 95% of the people I came across understood my vision and what I want to accomplish as an inspirational speaker. For instance, most people told me congratulations for being alive, and since I look younger than my age (32 years old), I was told I could really appeal to the teenagers and young adults because of the way I look.
There have been a few times during my journey when I felt like giving up because I’ve been working hard and wasn’t receiving any fruit from my labor. This mindset would only last a few hours, because I enjoy the process of getting a new creative idea and perfecting it before putting out for the world to see.
This is when I realized “CalmandStrong,” is my divine connection because no matter what I do, I always find myself coming back doing what I love.
* On June 5th, I received an e-mail from Blackbox Connect 19, and they help start-up founders perfect their craft. The last day to send in applications was June 19th, and I’m anticipating to waiting to hear from them soon about my application. I will have updates once I receive an update from Blackbox Connect 19.
Disclaimer…
I don’t own any image or video content from the inFAMOUS videogame franchise.
No Copyright Intended. All content is copyright to their respective owners. All rights go to PlayStation, developed by Sucker Punch Productions.
I do not own any content from the images displayed from music artist Nas. No Copyright Intended. All images are copyright to their respective owners. All Rights go to Nas.
Crazy Maze lyrics courtesy of Des’ree from the album I Ain’t Movin’.
King, S. Infamous 2 Soundtrack Cole vs Nix. Digital image. YouTube. Www.youtube.com, 2 Dec. 2012. Web. 29 June 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0-YzAp0jZk
Nas Stillmatic Album Art. Digital image. www.genius.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29th June 2017. http://genius.com/Nas-stillmatic-album-art-lyrics
Weeks, D. Perf. Moreland, P, Smith, V. Crazy Maze. Des’ree. Epic, 550. 1994.
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