
Be Self-Confident
The Playbook for Teens and Young Adults
A simple, practical way for teens and young adults to recognize the confidence they already have—and build on it, one HERO-STEP at a time.
Explore the Playbook →MEET DW
DW brings more than 25 years of corporate experience to his work. He has performed and spoken in 15 countries and 40 U.S. states for companies, schools, colleges, organizations, and government agencies.

My Mission to Help Teens · 3:08 DW’s connection to confidence and resilience is personal. He survived three traumatic brain injuries, experienced severe bullying during childhood and his teenage years, and was raised by two parents, each facing mental health challenges.
He taught himself how to thrive by observing adults outside his family and modeling the traits and attitudes he wanted to adopt. Those experiences shape his commitment to helping young people recognize the confidence already within them and put it into action.
DW and his wife, Liz, have raised their two children into thriving adulthood. His commitment to helping Moms raise resilient teens and young adults also comes from his experience as a parent.
DW started selling at nine years old. He went on to spend more than 25 years in the corporate world, excelling as a million-dollar sales executive with a global multibillion-dollar medical information analytics company.
An international award-winning U.S. Army movie/TV actor, writer, director, and amateur magician, DW brings business experience, visual storytelling, and theatrical performance together in his work.

DW is the creator and performer of Superhero Confidence Crusader™ (CC).
His two uniquely different audience-interactive one-man shows—My 21st Century Experience and Confidence Matters!™—combine storytelling, humor, “a little magic,” heartfelt honesty, and theatrical performance to create a deep, authentic connection with his audiences.
He also delivers topic-targeted keynote presentations and workshops—as Confidence Crusader or as himself.

DW is the founder and creator of the Confidence Matters! Movement and the creator of THE HERO IS WITHIN PROJECT.
THE HERO IS WITHIN PROJECT invites teens, young adults, and Moms to share their own stories—and read, listen to, or watch stories shared by others.
REAL STORIES. | REAL YOUTH. | REAL MOMS.
DW is the author of five published books, including:

The Playbook for Teens and Young Adults
A simple, practical way for teens and young adults to recognize the confidence they already have—and build on it, one HERO-STEP at a time.
Explore the Playbook →
His upcoming sixth book:
The Mom’s Playbook for Raising Resilient Youth
Introducing the CO-PILOT Parenting Model, with stories, humor, and practical tools to help Moms guide their teens and young adults.
Coming Early 2027
Explore the Playbook →“DW empowered our leaders to grow their confidence immediately using his Pivotal Management Confidence Builder. He is the “real-deal.” His unique presentation style of “facts and funny” are sure to keep your audience at the edge of their seats.”
“When it comes to CONFIDENCE, Mr. Starr, you really have the ‘RIGHT STUFF.’ It’s been six months, and we are still using your Teams Confidence Pulse Formula, which is making a measurable difference in our productivity.”
“By the end of your program 3 of my team leaders came up to me and said they were putting your Formulas in place starting tomorrow. Now that’s immediate results!”
“DW, thank you for kicking off our conference with a bang! Your “Belief Systems Identity Model” presentation was a big success. Dollars well spent!”
“I’ve given over 2,500 professional presentations. I have seen hundreds of speakers. DW is one of the best. His passion, enthusiasm and especially his expert grasp of Confidence provides your audience with a power-packed, hands-on experience. If you could only hire one speaker on building Confidence, DW is the one! He’s worth every dollar!”
Confidence hacks they can put into action—starting today.
Bring DW to Your Audience →