Unstuck & Unashamed

I've worked with Derick for almost a year now and it has been one of the most meaningful investments I've made in myself. When I first began coaching with him last March, I was navigating a number of challenges in various spheres of my life. Today, I can genuinely say that many of the issues that once felt overwhelming have been worked through with clarity, grounding, and real progress — and Derick's guidance has been central to that transformation. What sets Derick apart is the unique blend of professionalism, care, humour, authenticity, and genuine love he brings to his work. He creates a space where you feel both supported and challenged in all the right ways. His ability to listen deeply, reflect thoughtfully, and offer insight with compassion has helped me understand myself more clearly and show up with greater confidence and authenticity in my relationships, both at work and in my personal life. Derick has a remarkable talent for helping you see patterns you may have missed on your own, and those insights have been invaluable. I've consistently felt seen, heard, and valued throughout our work together — and that sense of safety and respect has made all the difference. I'm deeply grateful for the growth this coaching journey has brought into my life, and I wholeheartedly recommend Derick to anyone seeking a coach who is not only skilled and wise, but also profoundly human in the best possible way.

From the moment I heard Derick was stepping into health coaching, I knew I had to reach out. He had already impacted my life as a leader, someone who connected with people not through authority, but through genuine presence, empathy, and insight. Coaching only deepened what was already there in him: a rare ability to truly see people. Derick doesn't come with quick fixes or surface-level remedies. He listens, deeply, and reads between the lines in a way that makes you feel not just heard, but understood. He reflects back how you're showing up in your life, gently aligning you with your core values, and helping you uncover your own truth. His gift is not in solving your problems for you, but in holding space so you can rise into your own clarity and strength. His passion for helping people feel whole, grounded, and alive was always there, coaching just gave it a name.

As a gay man, I had spent years overthinking, questioning myself, and falling into patterns I didn't fully understand. I knew I wanted things to change, but I didn't realize how much those patterns were affecting my confidence, my relationships, and the way I felt about myself. Working with Derick was much more powerful than I expected. He helped me understand where these patterns came from and, more importantly, how to actually change them. I started noticing that I wasn't overthinking everything the way I used to. Things that would have triggered me or stayed in my head for hours just didn't have the same hold on me anymore. The biggest surprise has been how calm and confident I feel now. I trust myself more, I don't need the same reassurance or validation from other people, and I feel much more comfortable being myself.

Derick is an incredibly open-minded and accepting coach who truly believes in your ability to change, even when you're struggling to believe it yourself. When I started working with him, I was dealing with a lot of inner conflict and patterns that kept me stuck in my own head. Working through Derick's 5R Framework helped me understand where those patterns came from instead of just trying to push through them. Step by step, I learned how to challenge old beliefs, respond differently to situations that used to trigger me, and make choices from a much more confident and grounded place. The change in me has been bigger than I expected. I understand myself on a much deeper level, I'm less controlled by old patterns, and I feel calmer and more confident in the way I handle life.

I felt like I wasn't being treated with the level of respect I deserved—even in small situations—and it would get to me more than I wanted. I realized I was stuck in my own framework of rules… expecting others to think and act the same way I do, which just isn't realistic. Working with Derick helped me step outside of that. Now, I actually pause before reacting. I consider other perspectives instead of immediately taking things personally. Things that used to bother me don't hit the same way anymore. It feels lighter, and I'm not as reactive. What stood out most is how Derick helps you get to the root of what's really going on. We think we understand ourselves — but without an outside perspective, it's hard to see what's actually driving our frustration. His step-by-step approach made everything clear and easy to follow. I feel more in control, more grounded, and way less affected by things that used to throw me off.

Before the program, I was confident in many areas of my life, but I still struggled with self-doubt, comparison, and needing external validation, especially in gay spaces and relationships. Now I feel more grounded and comfortable with who I am. I'm learning to trust myself instead of looking for approval, and I feel more confident showing up authentically without feeling like I need to perform or fit a certain image. The biggest shift was realizing that I don't need everyone's approval to feel good about myself. Someone else's reaction to me doesn't define my worth. What made this program different was understanding where my patterns actually came from and having practical tools to recognize them in real time. It connects directly to experiences many gay men face — social comparison, dating, body image, and feeling hyper-aware in gay spaces. Derick is knowledgeable, caring, and genuine, and you can tell he has done the work himself. I felt completely comfortable being honest without feeling judged. I'd recommend this program to any gay man who wants to build real confidence, depend less on external validation, and feel more comfortable being authentically himself.