Daron Franklin

Introduction and What is a Human Performance Coach

Taryell Simmons: Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast. I am your host, Taryell Simmons. Today, we dive into the power of transformation, growth, and resilience with Daron Franklin, also known as Coach Frank. Coach Frank is a human performance coach with over twenty years of experience empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to break limits and reach their full potential. Coach Frank, what exactly is a human performance coach?

Daron Franklin: It means getting the best out of people and giving them the tools to excel and exceed their potential. People are humans, and performance is what we do, so human performance coach felt like the perfect title.

Taryell Simmons: You started as a mathematics student facilitator, became a transformational athletic coach, and are now an empowerment leader. How did you get involved with Speaker Hub?

Daron Franklin: It started by updating and evolving my LinkedIn profile as a professional public speaker. One day, I received an email from Ron Storick inviting me to speak at a virtual summit. We connected, and it opened up great opportunities to continue evolving in the speaking business.

Taryell Simmons: Shout out to Ron. He is a go-getter who connects the right people. Daron's journey exemplifies embracing challenges and turning them into opportunities. As the founder of F42 Empowerment, he builds self-confidence and leadership skills through actionable tools. What initially sparked your passion for empowering others?

Early Influences and The New Orleans Village

Daron Franklin: It goes back to the village that raised me in New Orleans. Both of my parents were leaders. My father worked the graveyard shift at the post office for fifteen years and cared for his horses as a Black cowboy, which instilled a strong work ethic in me. My mother has been an educator her entire life, pouring into youth and working with Brothers Empowered to Teach to help African American males enter education. When I was fifteen, I worked at the Tambourine and Fan Summer Camp under civil rights leader Jerome Smith, known as Big Duck. He taught us about leadership, our culture, collaboration, and fighting for freedom. That foundation molded my ability to lead in sports, in my home, and in life.

Taryell Simmons: What motivated you to pursue a career in athletics?

Daron Franklin: Growing up in New Orleans, football is a way of life. My older cousin, Coach David Jack Johnson, now the running backs coach at Florida State, was a major inspiration. My father was my first coach at Milne Playground. I drew plays as a kid and played free safety, which allowed me to be cerebral on the field, line teammates up, and understand the game deeply. Being a coach on the field created a natural transition into athletic coaching.

Athletic Journey and Coaching Philosophy

Taryell Simmons: How has coaching shaped your approach to leadership and empowerment?

Daron Franklin: Success does not always equate to the scoreboard or the number of wins. Real success is measured when former athletes return years later to express gratitude for the guidance, corrections, and encouragement. In leadership, you must understand who you lead. There are three types of athletes: those who participate, those who like the sport, and those who love the sport. Those who love it are intrinsically motivated and show up regardless, but leaders must actively connect with the other two groups to bring out their best.

Taryell Simmons: That intrinsic drive separates the good from the great. How do you apply those athletic tools to your business?

Daron Franklin: These are lived experiences rather than theoretical concepts. As a former athlete and coach, I use transferable skills to empower individuals, foster discipline, and lead an organization.

Transitioning from Football Coach to Entrepreneur

Taryell Simmons: What led to the pivotal moment when you decided to step away from coaching football to become a professional speaker and business owner?

Daron Franklin: My last head coaching role was at Fort Worth Southwest High School. We went 13-3 in Fort Worth ISD and reached the playoffs every year, but the constant grind took a toll on my mind and spirit. I transitioned to South Grand Prairie as a defensive coordinator to support my son during his final high school season. Eventually, I realized I wanted to use my talents differently and build a flexible lifestyle away from the exhausting seven-day work weeks of high school football.

Taryell Simmons: What was the most difficult part of transitioning into human performance coaching and business ownership?

Daron Franklin: After going through a divorce, my partner encouraged me to share my story. My first speaking engagement gave me an incredible adrenaline rush, similar to running out of the tunnel before a big game. The main challenge has been marketing F42 Empowerment beyond athletics. We train corporate organizations and work with school districts on teacher retention and recruitment. Having worked across fourteen educational communities as a mathematics teacher and administrator, I understand how to support educators and empower staff.

Empowering Youth and the Power of Faith and Action

Taryell Simmons: Can you share a couple of success stories that highlight the impact of F42 Empowerment?

Daron Franklin: Recently, I spoke to thirty young men at Xavier University in the Magnificent Male Experience program led by Desmond Collins. We discussed earning life currency through experience, managing time, and persisting when doors do not open immediately. I also spoke at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans on faith and action. I shared a story about planting watermelons at our family ranch where a horse broke the fence and ate the crop. That experience illustrated that when plans fail, you adjust, plant again, and combine unwavering faith with purposeful action.

Taryell Simmons: Faith without works is dead. You cannot just plant seeds; you have to water them and take consistent action.

Daron Franklin: Exactly. In education, research shows that ninth-grade performance is decisive. Passing ninth grade predicts graduation, while failing math or English significantly increases dropout risks. Catching students early and equipping them with relevant life skills transforms their trajectories.

Redefining Success and Celebrating Small Wins

Taryell Simmons: How do you measure success personally and for those you mentor?

Daron Franklin: Personally, success is continuous growth. I started building my business using a simple Canva website, accepted constructive feedback, and upgraded to a professional platform. For our clients, success means implementing practical tools and achieving tangible improvements. For example, inspired by Charles Duhigg's work on habit formation, I encourage clients to document small wins. If a family has dinner together three nights a week instead of one, take a photo, write the achievement on it, and save it. Reflecting on past small wins provides fuel on challenging days.

Taryell Simmons: Making lessons relevant is essential for real-world application.

Daron Franklin: Teaching algebra in the Deep South required connecting concepts to real-life experiences. Theory must translate into practical application for people to thrive.

The Power of Networking and Building Relationships

Taryell Simmons: What advice would you give to your eighteen-year-old self and aspiring leaders?

Daron Franklin: I would tell my younger self to master networking. Growing up, I was quiet and focused solely on athletics and academics. I now teach young people to build genuine relationships and discover shared interests. Who you know gets you in the room, but what you know keeps you there.

Taryell Simmons: It is also about who knows you. When you do great work, your name gets mentioned in rooms before your feet even enter.

Cultivating Leadership and Overcoming Self-Doubt

Taryell Simmons: How can leaders build confidence and inspire their teams?

Daron Franklin: Leadership begins with rapport. In classrooms or locker rooms, identify students whom others naturally follow or those who present challenges, as they often have untapped leadership qualities. Older siblings who care for younger brothers and sisters already possess valuable leadership experience. Leaders must make positive relational deposits before delivering critical feedback. Furthermore, confidence grows when we view failure as a valuable lesson rather than a final grade. As Katt Williams noted, you must be in tune with your star player, which is yourself. Practice self-love and write daily affirmations on your mirror.

Taryell Simmons: In every failure lies a lesson, and understanding the lesson brings the blessing.

Daron Franklin: Each morning brings two options: stay the same or get better. Staying the same wastes a day. Learn from the past, maximize the present, and step forward into the future.

Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect

Taryell Simmons: Thank you for sharing such profound wisdom. Where can our listeners connect with you and F42 Empowerment?

Daron Franklin: Visit our website at https://www.daronfranklin.com to view testimonials and resources. Connect with me on LinkedIn under Daron Franklin and on Instagram at coach2_inspire.

Taryell Simmons: Be sure to visit https://www.daronfranklin.com, follow Coach Frank, and subscribe to the Rise Urban Nation podcast. Until next time, peace.

Daron Franklin: Peace.