​Meet Daniel Merza

Daniel Merza is an award-winning international speaker, certified virtual trainer, author and coach, specialising in wellbeing and leadership.

Having worn the "underdog" cap growing up, Daniel's story can be summed up in three words - "Defying the odds".

Bullied for a decade, diagnosed with a mental illness aged 13, and labelled as a student with “no hope”, Daniel faced up to his tormentors at 16 and turned his life around.

During an illustrious corporate career spanning 15 years with leading companies like KPMG and BDO, Daniel spent considerable time developing the weaker spots of younger staff - such as tenacity, emotional intelligence, stress management, self confidence, and leadership - as part of his senior leadership roles.
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Having witnessed first-hand as a manager the degree to which young people lacked the essential skills to thrive post-school, Daniel left behind a six figure corporate pay packet to embark upon his mission to inspire tenacity, optimism and empowerment in high school students and “get them ready” to flourish in the real world.

Based in Sydney, Daniel has developed clever and fun ways to engage, empower and equip thousands of people worldwide  – from students, parents, educators to corporate professionals and business entrepreneurs -  to get the monkeys off their back and become the ​leader of their life. He has been featured on the radio and various newspaper and media outlets, and his work has also been acknowledged in NSW Parliament. Daniel is the president of Professional Speakers Australia (NSW Chapter) for the 2022 year.