Now imagine you’re a police officer going to work and you’re part of an elite law enforcement team that deals with all sorts of nasty things. You’re going into a situation and it changes rapidly, things turn for the worse, resulting in you lying on the ground with severed arteries, shrapnel wounds, bullet wounds and you’re fighting for your life. On this particular day you get shot 14 times within 5 seconds. 

Welcome to The Savvy Dentist Podcast, the show where great dentistry meets savvy business! Join Dr. Jesse Green as we explore the strategies and insights that drive the most successful practices.

Derrick McManus is an inspiring leadership coach and former South Australian police officer who is renowned for his remarkable story of survival and resilience. 

In 1994, while serving as a Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) Group officer, Derrick was shot 14 times during a high-risk operation. The intense ordeal, which included critical injuries and hours without medical assistance, became a defining moment in his life. 

Despite the trauma, Derrick’s mental and emotional strength carried him through, allowing him not only to recover but to thrive. His recovery and subsequent return to policing stand as a testament to the power of human resilience, mindset, and the capacity to overcome extreme adversity.

Today, Derrick channels his experience into leadership coaching, where he focuses on building resilience, mental toughness, and effective decision-making under pressure. He emphasises the importance of what he calls “Sustainable Peak Performance,” teaching others how to maintain their performance and well-being even in the face of extreme challenges. 

In this episode of The Savvy Dentist Podcast, Derrick shares his story using his unique insights to empower you to face your own obstacles with courage and confidence. His work as a coach and motivational speaker is underpinned by the principles of accountability, preparation, and the belief that with the right mindset, anyone can overcome the odds.

  • [3:16] – How to become a Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) elite officer.
  • [4:53] – The first brush with death. “I wasn’t risk taking … I was risk managing”.
  • [6:43] – How to maintain control of your emotions in everyday high-stress situations.
  • [12:31] – May 1994. Derrick explains how the day he was shot 14 times in 5 seconds turned so rapidly.
  • [17:23] – The power of open, honest, compassionate and confronting conversations.
  • [27:46] – How to summon your ‘inner mongrel’ and get things done.
  • [41:03] – The difference between Resilience … and Durability.
  • [47:14] – Strategies to give you the edge in your life and business.
  • [50:55] – Does Derrick McManus forgive the perpetrator who shot him 14 times?