Derek grew up in Halfway, Cambuslang, the oldest of four siblings in a close-knit family at the time.

At just 14 years old, his world changed forever when his mum suffered a severe asthma attack, an attack that left her paralysed. From that moment on, life was different.

For the next five years, Derek helped care for his Mum and siblings while juggling school, work, and the pressure of stepping up far too young.

He left school at 16 after sitting his exams, exams he went through while not knowing if his Mum was going to make it. She had been flown to intensive care in Leicester for emergency ECMO treatment after the asthma attack in Paisley. He spent those days constantly waiting for a phone call at school, unsure whether it would be to say she was dead or alive.

Football had always been a part of Derek’s life.

He came through multiple professional youth setups, then broke into first team football at 16 while studying Health, Fitness and Exercise at college with the goal of becoming a sports scientist. 

But deep down, he knew that wasn’t it. He was destined for more. He wanted impact and legacy, especially after realising what he was capable of at such a young age.

So, he started his first personal training business and things evolved from there.

Over the years, Derek has invested tens of thousands of pounds into personal development, coaching, and business education.

That entrepreneurial spark had always been there.

From selling tablet and macaroon door-to-door in primary school… to launching a clothing brand, flipping fitness products on Facebook Marketplace, and selling supplements as a teen, Derek’s passion for business ran deep.

But nothing could prepare him for what came next.

In 2023, Derek lost his Mum. She was just 39. He was only 19.

His Mum was his best friend, biggest supporter, and the strongest woman he knew. Losing her nearly broke him. There were days he didn’t want to keep going.

But out of that pain, a stronger mission was born, and so was the motto “Can’t to Can.”

Since then, Derek has transformed his own life and gone on to help hundreds of others do the same, through his coaching, speaking, and building movements that remind people they’re capable of far more than they believe.