From Stanford Kicker To Startup CEO - Devoted Father - Derek Belch
What if the most important leadership job you’ll ever hold doesn’t come with a test or a title? We sit down with Derek Belch—former Stanford kicker, startup founder, and dad of three—to unpack what real presence looks like, how values take root, and why failing publicly can be a gift to your kids.
Derek grew up with parents who made time their superpower. That “time-rich” model frames how he and his wife run the Belch huddle today: clear rules that point to deeper principles, kindness on repeat, and respect for your body and your limits. He shares the tough-love moment that transformed his baseball path at 13, the night he missed four field goals against Notre Dame and chose to show the tape to his kids, and the day he walked off a US AM Golf qualifier mid-shanks—then owned it at home. The throughline is radical accountability: you can’t control the bad round, but you can control your response, your repair, and your next rep.
We also trace the unlikely origin of STRIVR, Derek’s VR training company, born from a Stanford coaching thesis to help quarterbacks process faster. With a nudge from David Shaw, he turned a prototype into a platform used by major enterprises to build skills through immersive learning. Along the way, Derek explains why golf’s meritocracy resonates so deeply: the scorecard doesn’t care about your résumé, only your work. That mindset fuels his audacious goal to hopefully qualify for a PGA Tour event while leading a startup and coaching four youth teams.
If you’re a parent, coach, or leader who wants practical ways to model humility, set culture-shaping rules, and turn failure into momentum, this conversation will sharpen your playbook. Hit follow, share this with a friend who needs the reminder, and leave a quick review with your favorite takeaway—we read every one.
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