Derrick McManus

Derrick McManus is an Australian keynote speaker whose extraordinary life story and practical wisdom have made him a sought-after voice on resilience and mental well-being. Known for delivering powerful lessons with warmth and humour, he is invited to speak because his experience demonstrates, in the most compelling way, what it means to endure, recover and perform under pressure. His message resonates with audiences seeking genuine insight into mental strength, emotional endurance and sustainable high performance.

Derrick began his professional life with South Australia Police, eventually serving in the elite Special Tasks and Rescue Group, a unit working alongside military special forces and responsible for high-risk arrests, hostage situations, counter-terrorism and VIP protection. His turning point came in 1994 during a high-risk operation in which he was severely wounded, sustaining 14 gunshot injuries in just five seconds. Left bleeding for hours before rescue and coming within moments of death, he later described this event as the catalyst that shaped his lifelong commitment to understanding human performance under extreme stress. Two years later, he returned—remarkably—to active duties as a police sniper and counter-terrorist operative, determined to apply what he had learnt about courage, clarity and recovery.

In the decades since, Derrick has built an international speaking career spanning more than twenty years, presenting to special forces, fighter pilots, executives, tradespeople and students across the world. His work is grounded in the concept of human durability: a framework that explores how individuals can strengthen mental fitness, reduce stress, manage emotional load and operate with confidence when the stakes are high. He founded the Australian Centre for Human Durability in 2017 to further this mission, helping organisations improve performance, wellbeing and productivity through practical strategies that build long-term resilience. His recent keynote appearances, including high-profile opening events, continue to highlight his ability to combine real-world experience with actionable mindset tools.

Derrick is hired as a speaker because he brings authenticity and depth to conversations about mental health and resilience, grounded in experiences that few others can match. His journey of surviving extreme trauma, requesting psychological support long before it was commonplace, and transforming adversity into a practical framework for strength gives audiences a rare blend of inspiration and actionable insight. He has delivered keynotes for organisations and groups across the world, including elite special forces units, fighter pilots, corporate leaders, sales teams, educators and frontline professionals, as well as serving as the opening keynote speaker for major events such as Spy-Q. This breadth of experience demonstrates his ability to connect meaningfully with diverse audiences, making him an exceptional choice for any organisation committed to developing mentally healthy, high-performing people.