OUR  VALUES

In the Fall of 2005, this quaint cabin at the Sundance Resort in Utah became the birthplace of Optavia Leadership. It was here where Dr. A and Dan Bell – with guidance from author Robert Fritz – gathered the top leaders in the Field at that time. This group was tasked with defining and memorializing the cultural values and ways of working upon which this organization would follow. In that tradition, we are committed to upholding these same values today as the guiding principles by which we conduct our business and interact with others.

Wednesday, May 12 
(12:00 - 1:00 PM)

Overcoming It All
Dan Herod is a husband, father, friend, communicator and author. He and his family are no strangers to adversity. After enduring two consecutive miscarriages, they encountered an unimaginable tragedy when their 13-month-old daughter passed away from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Since that fateful day, Dan and his family have found the key to living an incredibly abundant life in the midst of overwhelmingly heartbreaking circumstances.

Dan lives to encourage everyone to live the best life possible. For over 15 years he has been speaking to groups of all ages and sizes. Dan tells humorous stories and shares compelling experiences in each and every talk he gives. It is his joy to share what he has discovered in the most difficult season of his life.

Since 2010, Dan has served as the Youth Alive Director for Wisconsin and Northern Michigan. Youth Alive is an organization committed to helping students live the best life possible. He loves to spend time with his family and finds immense joy serving as a volunteer fire department in his community. Dan and his family reside in central Wisconsin where the summers are ever so beautifully breathtaking, and the winters are so cold they take your breath away.

Thursday, May 13 
(11:45 - 1:00 PM)

Assistant Coach at Michigan Tech
Dallas Steward enters his fourth season as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech in 2020-21. During his first season, Steward and the Huskies went to the NCAA Tournament after winning the WCHA Championship Game. Tech finished 22-17-5 overall and was ranked No. 16 in the final USCHO poll. Four players have signed NHL contracts in his first two seasons at Michigan Tech.

Steward was an Associate Head Coach with the Chicago Steel of the USHL for two seasons from 2015-17. The 2016-17 team went 38-17-2 in the regular season, defeated Youngstown and Dubuque in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and won the USHL Championship with an overtime win over Sioux City in Game 5 of the Clark Cup.

Steward started his coaching career with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) as an assistant coach and scouting director from 2011-15. He helped lead the team to three consecutive playoff berths and a Clark Cup title in 2014-15.

Steward played 138 games over four years at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2000-04. He scored 27 goals and added 32 assists as a forward, was an assistant captain as a senior, and a three-time WCHA All-Academic selection. Steward went on to play six years of professional hockey in both the CHL and ECHL from 2004-10.

Prior to college, Steward played three seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers, winning the Clark Cup in 2000. He amassed a total of 74 points over three seasons with the Gamblers, including 18 goals and 27 assists in their championship season.
The Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin native has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public communication from UAA. He and his wife Janet have two daughters, Jade and Blake.