About the Book
Watch out, you’ve got monkeys on your back !
They are stopping you from living a happy life. An honest life. A healthy life.
These monkeys are preventing you from reaching your full potential - in the classroom, on the sporting field and on the streets of life.
They are hard to see, and harder to recognise. Until now.
Inside the covers of this game-changing book, you will get to know Enzo, Scooter, Darryl, Tyson and Moi - and discover how to get these monkeys off your back.
Written in a conversational way, this book is packed with inspirational stories and easy-to-implement strategies to help you:
It’s time to step up, take control and become the leader of your life.
It’s time to get the monkeys off your back.
These monkeys are preventing you from reaching your full potential - in the classroom, on the sporting field and on the streets of life.
They are hard to see, and harder to recognise. Until now.
Inside the covers of this game-changing book, you will get to know Enzo, Scooter, Darryl, Tyson and Moi - and discover how to get these monkeys off your back.
Written in a conversational way, this book is packed with inspirational stories and easy-to-implement strategies to help you:
- develop greater self-awareness and unlock self-belief and potential
- develop healthy relationships to beat bullying and peer pressure
- identify social media addiction and take the steps to beat it
- manage mental health issues
- overcome failure, setbacks and adversity
It’s time to step up, take control and become the leader of your life.
It’s time to get the monkeys off your back.
Reader Reviews
""In his book Get the Monkeys off Your Back, Daniel Merza, an accomplished motivational speaker, draws on personal experiences as an adolescent to provide insight into what holds young people back. As a principal in a Positive Education school, his message spoke to me and will touch the lives of young people, parents and educators alike. His personal accounts of being bullied give this highly readable and accessible work true credibility. Written from the heart, as a young man who experienced the effects of bullying, his brutal honesty is inspiring and his practical exercises will give young people from all walks of life relatable scenarios and strategies to move from ‘victim to victor’. A compelling read."
Peter Wade, Principal, Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield
"Daniel Merza has written from the heart. As a high school teacher with many years of experience and as a mother of two teenagers, reading this book gave me many new ideas in how to manage the various curved balls that life throws at our kids these days. Especially the newer problems, such as cyber bullying and internet addiction. Every chapter is packed with stories from real life and each one suggests practical, well-balanced thoughts on how to cope with these challenges. It is written in simple, easy-to-read language that teens can relate to and understand, and the exercises at the end of each chapter are encouraging and supportive. I think I even built a little more ‘emotional muscle’, as Daniel calls it, myself!"
Rita Fin, Assistant to the Headmaster, Sydney Grammar School
"Daniel Merza is both a bold and brave new voice in providing young people with the emotional literacy to identify the ‘monkeys on their back’ and to challenge the status quo which limits their potential. Written with a uniquely distinctive voice, whilst drawing upon the wisdom of the ages, Daniel is able to communicate directly with young people to explore the challenges of contemporary adolescence and emerging adulthood. It is authentic in that Daniel draws upon his own experience and written with a lightness in tone to deflect the serious nature of much of the conversation. I would heartily recommend this book as an enlightening read for adults, educators and young people seeking to discover the best version of themselves. Daniel’s commitment to ensure that young people engage with life, fully aware of the various pressures and challenges, they will confront both internally and externally is commendable. His own purpose is clear!"
Dr Steven Middleton, Head of Berwick Grammar School
"Daniel has provided an inspirational, practical resource for teens to see the light in any situation, build resilience, develop self-awareness and ‘get the monkey’s off their back,’ so they can truly thrive. It’s modern, readable and the personal stories make it real and provide hope for any teen facing challenges. There’s also an underlying message of compassion and understanding towards others by reading the trials and tribulations of a diverse group of people. This is an important book for any teen."
Amanda Rootsey, Youth Mentor, Author and Founder of Teen Academy, ‘Shine From Within’
"Daniel Merza’s book – Get the Monkeys off Your Back – is an exciting one. Filled with real life stories, from himself and others he has interviewed, this book is emotional, raw, relevant, and most of all, it is practical. With summaries at the end of each chapter and practical application exercises, so it won't just be another nice book you read, it will be something that you can apply to your life – to change your life, literally! Young people need to read this, as should older people. Bravo Daniel, a brilliant book that will impact the next generation."
Brett Murray, CEO, Co-founder of the Make Bullying History Foundation, Author, Professional Speaker
"Get the Monkeys off Your Back is a must-read book for anyone interested in levelling out the peaks and troughs of their adolescent journey of self-discovery. We are told that resilience is the key to survive and thrive, but are not often given the tools required to nurture or develop resilience. Daniel Merza’s monkey metaphor is a quirky and appealing one, which will appeal to his teen target audience and keep them engaged as he imparts his wisdom to educate and empower them. These monkeys, which have personalities and names, represent common limiting beliefs, allowing the reader to easily identify which of the limiting beliefs, or ‘monkeys’ are holding them back. The five monkeys, together with the exercises at the conclusion of each chapter, provide a useful tool kit to help develop the resilience required to navigate life and provide a guide towards the achievement of the reader’s full potential."
Randa Habelrih, Multi-international Award-winning Speaker, Author and Social Inclusion Advocate
"Goosebumps! Awesome! This is a fantastic book with a truly inspiring and heartfelt message, and features a truly remarkable series of stories and practical tips on how to overcome challenges and become a better version of yourself. I love how the book focuses on emotional resilience and mental wellbeing, and also how it has the ability to help the reader develop confidence and self-belief. I hope every young person has the opportunity to read this book."
Marco Capobianco, CEO, Conviction Group
"Navigating the minefield of adolescence has never been more challenging. As such, a book like Daniel’s is such a valuable tool for giving young people the tools, insights and inspiration to thrive in the all-important final years of school life."
Michael McQueen, CSP, Five-time Bestselling Author and Youth Trends Expert
As a teacher and parent, I believe that Daniel has written a very important and beneficial book that will guide students during their difficult teenage years. It will allow students to tackle their studies, especially Year 12, and be armed with practical strategies in building up their resilience and working to the best of their ability. I was moved and inspired by the case studies provided and particularly by Daniel’s strategies. I wholeheartedly endorse his advice and guidance.
Marella Healy, High School Teacher, Parent
"This is a wonderful and easy-to-understand book which thoughtfully draws on the many challenges and sources of anxiety in young people today and unpacks effective ways to deal with them. I found the clear and concise format of topic, exercise and summary makes this book a fantastic source for students to re-read in times they are feeling most in need for some support. Rhetorical questions throughout the book allow young readers to engage with the written text simply, allowing them to adapt the examples to their own life. A must-read for all teenagers."
Year 12 Student
"Daniel gives a simple and practical guide to help improve both your mentality and spirituality towards achieving or accomplishing anything. Coming from a background which meant that marks were the only means of success, the book shows and reassures you that there are actually so many ways to achieve victory. Everyone goes through a tough time and this book gives a strong encouragement to help you persevere and stay determined on the road ahead in any given circumstance."
Year 12 Student
Peter Wade, Principal, Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield
"Daniel Merza has written from the heart. As a high school teacher with many years of experience and as a mother of two teenagers, reading this book gave me many new ideas in how to manage the various curved balls that life throws at our kids these days. Especially the newer problems, such as cyber bullying and internet addiction. Every chapter is packed with stories from real life and each one suggests practical, well-balanced thoughts on how to cope with these challenges. It is written in simple, easy-to-read language that teens can relate to and understand, and the exercises at the end of each chapter are encouraging and supportive. I think I even built a little more ‘emotional muscle’, as Daniel calls it, myself!"
Rita Fin, Assistant to the Headmaster, Sydney Grammar School
"Daniel Merza is both a bold and brave new voice in providing young people with the emotional literacy to identify the ‘monkeys on their back’ and to challenge the status quo which limits their potential. Written with a uniquely distinctive voice, whilst drawing upon the wisdom of the ages, Daniel is able to communicate directly with young people to explore the challenges of contemporary adolescence and emerging adulthood. It is authentic in that Daniel draws upon his own experience and written with a lightness in tone to deflect the serious nature of much of the conversation. I would heartily recommend this book as an enlightening read for adults, educators and young people seeking to discover the best version of themselves. Daniel’s commitment to ensure that young people engage with life, fully aware of the various pressures and challenges, they will confront both internally and externally is commendable. His own purpose is clear!"
Dr Steven Middleton, Head of Berwick Grammar School
"Daniel has provided an inspirational, practical resource for teens to see the light in any situation, build resilience, develop self-awareness and ‘get the monkey’s off their back,’ so they can truly thrive. It’s modern, readable and the personal stories make it real and provide hope for any teen facing challenges. There’s also an underlying message of compassion and understanding towards others by reading the trials and tribulations of a diverse group of people. This is an important book for any teen."
Amanda Rootsey, Youth Mentor, Author and Founder of Teen Academy, ‘Shine From Within’
"Daniel Merza’s book – Get the Monkeys off Your Back – is an exciting one. Filled with real life stories, from himself and others he has interviewed, this book is emotional, raw, relevant, and most of all, it is practical. With summaries at the end of each chapter and practical application exercises, so it won't just be another nice book you read, it will be something that you can apply to your life – to change your life, literally! Young people need to read this, as should older people. Bravo Daniel, a brilliant book that will impact the next generation."
Brett Murray, CEO, Co-founder of the Make Bullying History Foundation, Author, Professional Speaker
"Get the Monkeys off Your Back is a must-read book for anyone interested in levelling out the peaks and troughs of their adolescent journey of self-discovery. We are told that resilience is the key to survive and thrive, but are not often given the tools required to nurture or develop resilience. Daniel Merza’s monkey metaphor is a quirky and appealing one, which will appeal to his teen target audience and keep them engaged as he imparts his wisdom to educate and empower them. These monkeys, which have personalities and names, represent common limiting beliefs, allowing the reader to easily identify which of the limiting beliefs, or ‘monkeys’ are holding them back. The five monkeys, together with the exercises at the conclusion of each chapter, provide a useful tool kit to help develop the resilience required to navigate life and provide a guide towards the achievement of the reader’s full potential."
Randa Habelrih, Multi-international Award-winning Speaker, Author and Social Inclusion Advocate
"Goosebumps! Awesome! This is a fantastic book with a truly inspiring and heartfelt message, and features a truly remarkable series of stories and practical tips on how to overcome challenges and become a better version of yourself. I love how the book focuses on emotional resilience and mental wellbeing, and also how it has the ability to help the reader develop confidence and self-belief. I hope every young person has the opportunity to read this book."
Marco Capobianco, CEO, Conviction Group
"Navigating the minefield of adolescence has never been more challenging. As such, a book like Daniel’s is such a valuable tool for giving young people the tools, insights and inspiration to thrive in the all-important final years of school life."
Michael McQueen, CSP, Five-time Bestselling Author and Youth Trends Expert
As a teacher and parent, I believe that Daniel has written a very important and beneficial book that will guide students during their difficult teenage years. It will allow students to tackle their studies, especially Year 12, and be armed with practical strategies in building up their resilience and working to the best of their ability. I was moved and inspired by the case studies provided and particularly by Daniel’s strategies. I wholeheartedly endorse his advice and guidance.
Marella Healy, High School Teacher, Parent
"This is a wonderful and easy-to-understand book which thoughtfully draws on the many challenges and sources of anxiety in young people today and unpacks effective ways to deal with them. I found the clear and concise format of topic, exercise and summary makes this book a fantastic source for students to re-read in times they are feeling most in need for some support. Rhetorical questions throughout the book allow young readers to engage with the written text simply, allowing them to adapt the examples to their own life. A must-read for all teenagers."
Year 12 Student
"Daniel gives a simple and practical guide to help improve both your mentality and spirituality towards achieving or accomplishing anything. Coming from a background which meant that marks were the only means of success, the book shows and reassures you that there are actually so many ways to achieve victory. Everyone goes through a tough time and this book gives a strong encouragement to help you persevere and stay determined on the road ahead in any given circumstance."
Year 12 Student
A Night Of Inspiration
- Official Book Launch
About Daniel
Daniel Merza is an award-winning speaker, author, and coach, specialising in student wellbeing.
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.
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 inspire thousands of people to live a more fulfilled life. He is passionate about empowering his audiences to break through barriers and build resilience to overcome challenges, so they can live up to their full potential.
Daniel is also the author of Get the Monkeys off Your Back, a book specifically written for teens (and parents/educators), covering important topics such as self leadership, resilience, mental health, bullying, social media addiction, self discovery and peak performance.
Daniel has been featured on the radio and various newspaper and media outlets, and his work has also been acknowledged in NSW Parliament.
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.
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 inspire thousands of people to live a more fulfilled life. He is passionate about empowering his audiences to break through barriers and build resilience to overcome challenges, so they can live up to their full potential.
Daniel is also the author of Get the Monkeys off Your Back, a book specifically written for teens (and parents/educators), covering important topics such as self leadership, resilience, mental health, bullying, social media addiction, self discovery and peak performance.
Daniel has been featured on the radio and various newspaper and media outlets, and his work has also been acknowledged in NSW Parliament.