Dan Walker:

How do you sum up someone that is just pure awesomeness?! Let alone the chance to korero with that someone! Well, we are going to try! Dan Walker is just one of those people that lifts the energy when he walks into a room, and has a mindset full of positivity, understanding, empathy and open to learning!

Dan is a family man, with a life goal of being the best father and husband, to his 3 beautiful tamariki and wife Michelle, he aims to be as involved with their interests as possible, this includes, soccer, karate, swimming and more! Dan does this all while being a sensei in karate, and soccer player himself, he also is developing as an individual in business, innovation and te ao Māori! He might not have known where his path would take him when he left high school but he is committed to learning whether that be through his working life, or passionately learning about his whakapapa and passing this on to his whānau! 

When he isn’t spending quality time with his whānau, he is working at Microsoft as the Global Co-Chair of Indigenous ERG, leading the Cloud infrastructure and Applications Solutions team, as well as holding many roles on advisory and iwi boards within the Auckland and Maori community. But most importantly doing his best towards helping others be their best selves and growing Māori and Aotearoa! 

Dan talks to us about many things that have happened in his life! From growing up slightly disconnected to his Māori whakapapa to now being a committed learner of who and what makes him who he is! To men’s mental health and his passion for Māori health models such as Te Whare Tapa Wha, and how these have impacted his wellness when he was going through his own mental health challenges. 

One of the key themes that comes up is whānau, although Dan shares his beacon of light wherever he goes, he and his family have gone through some very, very challenging times together. Dan talks to us about his eldest son Joshie (who has just turned 11), getting diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer. We talk about how this has changed the whānau circumstances and perspective on living their life, what has helped Dan personally, and his whānau during this time, but also what they have done to amplify a positive space for Joshie, his wellbeing and the Walker whānau wellbeing.

Dan Walker is a LEGEND. We are SO extremely grateful for him sharing so much of his wellbeing journey with us in this korero!

Action points: 

1. Get Dan to share stories with you
2. Tapestry of identity blog
3. Check out more of our inspiring interviews