Darren Harris uses his Unblind Your Mind methodology to give leaders and teams the confidence and skills to turn adversity to advantage through speaking, training and coaching.
His mission is to inspire people to overcome adversity and achieve their highest potential through developing the right mindset and skillset.
His vision focuses on creating a world where people see obstacles as opportunities for personal and professional growth.
His core values are:
- Inspiration: the pure oxygen that breathes life into your dreams.
- Courage: the intense heat that pushes you past your limitations.
- Determination: the steady fuel that stops the fire within being extinguished.
“Out of darkness cometh light”
Darren was born and bred in Wolverhampton, a city whose motto tells his story in just five words.
Diagnosed and treated for cancer of both eyes aged 1, he struggled to cope with the reality that he was losing his sight, and went down a mental, emotional and behavioural spiral.
“When you’re in a dark place, the best guide is one that doesn’t need sight to lead the way.”
But meeting a real-life Daredevil at a special school for visually impaired children, he finished his secondary education believing that he could do almost anything he put his mind to.
“You succeed not despite of but because of your adversity.”
However, returning to the ocular centric world, he discovered that he also needed to silence that inner voice generating excuses, in order to listen to those reasons why success was possible in education, employment and beyond.
“Mathematics reveals the patterns of the universe, while psychology uncovers the patterns of the mind—together, they illuminate both the world outside and the world within.”
With a first degree in Mathematics, master’s degree in psychology, and Honorary Doctorate for Outstanding Public Service, he is an unlikely member of the Three Degrees.
“The sports field teaches lessons no classroom can—here, theory has to be put into practice.”
Nonetheless, his greatest achievements occurred on the sports field, becoming a Paralympian in both judo and football, and becoming England’s highest-capped and most decorated blind and male footballer with 157 appearances and 10 World and European medals. Even more valuable than the caps and medals though, were the lessons he learned about life’s biggest challenges like loss, failure, and rejection.
Co-author of Amazon #1 Best Seller Transforming your Life, his story is one that inspires, empowers and enables success.