Derrick McManus

Derrick McManus's Biography

Shot 14 times in less than five seconds

Multiple massive life-threatening injuries

Lying on the ground for three hours before rescue

Doctors don’t know how he survived

Two years later he returned to full duties with the elite Police STAR Group

Sniper, Tactical Diver and Counter-terrorist Operative

Derrick's story is one of raw determination and unbreakable willpower where the grit and determination to fight for life were put to the ultimate test. Doctors said, “All the textbooks say he should be dead, but he obviously hadn’t read the textbooks.”

In a hail of gunfire, Derrick was hit 14 times in less than five seconds. Massive life-threatening injuries should have killed him, but he refused to go down without a fight. He returned fire and so began the longest siege in South Australian history – 41 hours.

Derrick was lying on the ground, fully conscious and bleeding for three hours, it took every ounce of his mental, physical and emotional strength to manage his mindset and body for survival, even as he watched his blood pooling on the ground next to him.

Derrick's story is an inspiration for anyone who has ever been told that something is impossible. He is a true warrior who never gave up, fought against the odds till the very end and won.

He shows you that the physical, mental and emotional inner strengths he used to survive the shooting are the same strengths we all possess. He’ll also show you how to access them to create your own success against the odds.

PERSONAL PERFORMANCE: Derrick's focus on personal performance is unwavering, from preparation to execution and follow-through. He shares insights on fostering optimal performance in others, tailored to their unique circumstances.

MENTAL HEALTH: Derrick's mental fortitude and resilience are remarkable. His mental health remains unscathed. Despite the mental trauma and physical injuries that will live with him for life, he was immediately psychologically cleared to return to work and needed no ongoing therapy. This experience informs his ‘Human Durability’ workshops teaching mental fitness, agility and strength.

The story of the shooting is captivating and inspiring. The story of surviving and thriving, resilience and durability, is absolutely fascinating and of most value to putting our everyday struggles into true perspective.

Derrick is powerful, commanding, relaxed, and life-affirming with a quick-witted, cheeky sense of humour. He is discerning and inclusive in message and delivery that will align with your conference theme.

Current Work

Derrick is a renowned authority in the field of human durability and resilience, with extensive experience as an international keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and researcher.

With a passion for helping individuals reach their full potential, Derrick's research encompasses a wide range of disciplines and includes partnerships with South Australian Universities and military and emergency services. He is also constantly seeking new ways to test the limits of human performance, most recently (2023) through his mountain biking adventure in the Himalayas and higher than Mt Everest Base Camp.

Derrick's philosophy of human durability encompasses not only the bounce-back of resilience, but also the ability to sustain optimal levels of performance physically, mentally, and emotionally.

He works with a diverse range of clients, from CEOs and entrepreneurs to hairdressers, Fighter-Pilots, tradies, Financiers, students, and everything in between, and has presented to audiences ranging from small groups of 7 to large events of 4,000.

Television, Radio and Podcasts

Most recently interviewed three times on Sunrise (Ch 7) about the murder of 2 Queensland police officers. He has featured in NEWS interviews in every state, A Current Affair (Ch 9), I Survived (Fox TV), Fox News and others.

He has been interviewed on AM and FM radio in almost every state and on dozens of national and international podcasts.

Speaking Topics Include

Thriving on the Edge: Human Durability and sustainable optimal performance

Human Durability refers to the capacity to achieve the best possible results under stress. It is different from perfection and peak performance, which are difficult to maintain consistently. This approach prioritizes the idea of achieving the very best possible in the given circumstances.

Resilience, a popular term for managing challenges, is defined as the ability to recover from setbacks. Human Durability incorporates resilience, but Durability goes beyond just bouncing back and emphasizes sustaining ‘optimal performance’ despite challenges.

Derrick has created a practical and effective method for improving Human Durability.

This cutting-edge approach provides a roadmap for individuals and organizations to enhance their ability to perform while reducing the stress of doing so.

Unbreakable Mindset: Harnessing Your Inner Strengths for Success

Derrick's remarkable experience and outcome showcase his immense mental, physical, and emotional fortitude. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges, he never gave up, harnessed his inner strengths to survive and won.

His story serves as an indisputable source of inspiration.  His tools for mindset, perseverance, focus, and grit are practical and immediately implementable for anyone and everyone.

Derrick's unwavering focus on performance and attention to preparation, execution, and follow-through make him a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their own performance or help others do the same.

• Pure inspiration
• 5 Drivers for Success
• How to build confidence, courage and capacity
• Managing attitude and perspective
• Amazing example of resilience

And much, much more …

The 7 Pillars of Leadership

Derrick was a sniper, tactical diver and counter-terrorist operative in the police Special Task And Rescue (STAR) Group and trained with the elite military special SAS Regiment. Selection and training for both sections require peak performance at any instant and sustainable optimal performance. It also requires personal and team leadership in the toughest and most demanding work environments in the world.

The 7 Pillars of Tactical Leadership are the driving force behind every operation in the special forces arena.  In this workshop, they have been distilled and made applicable to any and every office civilian environment.

• Comfortably step up to leadership
• Make decisive decisions
• Form contingency plans and take action
• Simplify risk assessments
• Give directions and get results
• Empower your team to perform at their peak
• Maintain mental health

2 x Resilience: Functional Resilience plus Aspirational Resilience

Unlock the secrets to managing stress and achieving your aspirations with a deeper understanding of the two forms of resilience.

The 6 steps of functional resilience help reduce the stress of routine tasks and everyday difficulties, while the 6 steps of aspirational resilience empower you to tackle challenging and exciting goals normally outside of your comfort zone.

In aspirational mode, you know the challenges and stress will be there but you have a passion to take them on.

The key is to navigate between the two types of resilience with agility and confidence for optimal mental health, family balance, and work efficiency and effectiveness.

Key Takeaways include:

Reignite your drive for greater achievement

Mindset Mastery

Cultivation of confidence, courage and belief in your capability

Practical / Pragmatic tools for personal success and mental health

Messages and lessons that last a lifetime

Other topics:

 

Rising From The Dust: Predictable Success Against The Odds

The Warrior Mindset: Defying And Destroying The Odds

Risk And Reward: Push Your Limits For Ultimate Success

The Optimal Performer’s Toolkit: From Theory to Action

Mental Health Mastery: Greater Success With Less Stress