How many of you think our world needs more gutsy, bold, disruptive leaders? Our next speaker believes we do and is here to show us how we can embody this type of leadership.
David Vobora grew up with a football in his hands and the NFL in his dreams. His path to the NFL, however, was anything but simple. After playing football at the University of Idaho, he was the last pick in the 2008 draft earning him the not-so- coveted title of Mr. Irrelevant. David used this underestimation of his skills and abilities to his advantage during his 4-year career with the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
David’s career wasn’t over after he hung up his jersey in 2012. On the contrary, it was just beginning. Upon retiring from the NFL, he opened Performance Vault — a sports performance training center aimed at helping rebuild wounded warriors whose potential was grossly unrecognized by society. At Performance Vault, he emphasized strength training, a tribal mindset, and the ability to use one’s underdog status to their advantage.
Soon after, David met quadruple amputee and military veteran, Travis Mills. This chance encounter led to an explosion of growth at Performance Vault and the launch of a non-profit organization called Adaptive Training Foundation.
The growth trajectory at ATF has been astounding. They’ve built a world class team and they now operate out of an 18,000 square foot facility in Dallas, Texas.
David’s desire to pour his heart, mind, and soul into everything he does has resulted in a new industry standard for training those with physical disabilities. ATF’s first-of- its-kind Train the Trainer program provides physically disabled people access to equal means of physical fitness.
David has an unmatched ability to connect with people. He genuinely believes in others until they believe in themselves. He has the gift of making people feel loved for who they are and not for what they do or what they can provide.
David is a hope dealer, an alchemist of human development, and a sweat psychologist. He always has one eye on personal and foundational growth, the other eye ensuring no one is left behind in the process, and both feet firmly planted in the present.
And we’re grateful he is here with us today. Please join me in welcoming David Vobora.