Discovering the Warrior Within

March 2026

D.J. Vanas, president of Native Discovery Inc., former U.S. Air Force officer, member of the Ottawa Tribe and author of multiple books, including The Warrior Within, will discuss the importance of warriors in our lives at the 2026 ACA Conference & Expo in Columbus, Ohio, April 9-11. He discussed the inspiration behind his book and upcoming speech with Counseling Today.

What inspired you to write your latest book?

I wrote The Warrior Within during the height of the pandemic after having many heartfelt conversations with clients and colleagues that were struggling a lot.

These were all people dedicated to serving others, in areas like health care, education, social services and government. They were running themselves ragged and falling apart emotionally, mentally and physically.

I wanted to write a book that leveraged timeless warrior principles from our tribal communities to strengthen, inspire and encourage those who are serving others and see themselves and their capabilities through a different lens.

What was your journey in becoming a motivational speaker like?

My journey to become a speaker started after I graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy. I served as a recruiter in the admissions office for a year. I found that I absolutely loved going out and presenting to groups, sharing ideas and stories, encouraging students and promoting my alma mater. After that one-year assignment was over, I went into my regular career field but kept speaking on the side.

One night, I was talking to my friend, Brent Henry, about a recent conference where I was a speaker. He shared that his dad, the late Robert Henry, had been one of the founding members of the National Speakers Association. Brent Henry invited me to attend the upcoming national conference — and it changed my life. A few years later, I left the Air Force as a captain and have been a full-time speaker ever since.

Without giving too much away, what is your speech going to focus on?

In our Native American communities, the term “warrior” isn’t the typical Hollywood image we see in media. It was about taking our Creator-given talents and abilities and developing them over a lifetime so we could benefit the tribe we served. Warriors were protectors, leaders, contributors, teachers and, ultimately, people who were dedicated to serving others.

I'm excited to deliver a message using those principles to improve resiliency, mental toughness and teamwork, make self-care a priority and effectively navigate change — all so we can serve at our best in a sustainable way, regardless of circumstances.

What do you hope counselors will take away from your speech?

My hope is that they take away a renewed sense of confidence, enthusiasm and strength in what they do and how they do it. As in all my programs, I share stories, humor, high energy, and lots of practical examples — so I hope the counselors will be ready to learn, laugh and enjoy the journey we take together during our session.