About Daniel Ward

Daniel is a recipient of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President H. E. Joe Biden of the United States of America. Daniel is a magnetic inﬂuencer for positive self-actualization and inspires everyone he comes in contact with for their beneﬁt.

In 2005 Daniel founded Inward Fitness and has worked with individuals to enrich, enhance and optimize their personal health and well-being as a ﬁtness and wellness entrepreneur. Through his authentic care and motivational expertise, many have gravitated to Daniel making him a “Trainer to the Stars.” Knowing full well the importance of physical health and ﬁtness, he also weaves in the signiﬁcance of mental ﬁtness to strengthen performance, leadership, relationships and well-being.

Daniel has worked closely with a wide variety of clientele including politicians, musical artists, CEOs, attorney’s and other high performing professionals, socialites, athletes, sports teams at various levels and law enforcement personnel. Providing a robust service list, he and Inward Fitness have also worked with many companies through its Corporate Wellness program, including Kiewit, Smashburger, Vail Resorts, the State of Colorado, City of Denver, Children’s Hospital Colorado, MasTec and VF Corporation to name a few.

Navigating through his health and physical ﬁtness career, Daniel also makes a name for himself as a mental ﬁtness performance coach. Whether it’s facilitating leadership training for an Executive Leadership team, helping leaders understand next steps or connecting individually, Daniel’s reputation is well respected, results oriented and his work seen as exemplary.

Daniel is a natural coach, gifted leader and powerful speaker. His charismatic energy paired with deep empathy built from lived experiences gives him a great amount of prestige and power about him yet an extraordinary ability to make people feel comfortable – and then to begin living into their own ‘why.’ With this, Daniel seeks to use his gift of inﬂuence to inspire people to ﬁnd their true value and self worth so we may all beneﬁt from a better world.

As a results-oriented and impactful individual, he connects, he challenges and he invites curiosity that helps drive positive change. Businesses, teams, and leaders can beneﬁt from his insights on intertwining mindset, leadership, entrepreneurship, and Positive Intelligence. His captivating style and relatable storytelling provide a solid platform for his compelling messages. He’s not just a thought leader but an opinion driver where inspiration, empowerment, and transformative thinking and action are sought after.

Through relatable storytelling and focused inspiration, Daniel connects with audiences and distills useful ideas in original ways that inspire people to discover their best selves. From his challenging childhood to his internship at the Mayo Clinic to founding and co-owning Inward Fitness, Daniel has become a competitive and visionary leader who is committed to having a positive impact as a servant leader. Drawing from his own experiences and gathering stories from his work over the years, Daniel shares insights and ideas that inspire individuals to ignite their own authentic enthusiasm for making a positive impact in work, health, and community.

Daniel loves to coach, speak to and develop those at their threshold of opportunity! Whether it’s a physical, mental/emotional, personal or professional goal related to students, athletes, leaders, artists or companies, his energy and infectious engagement move people from riveted to inspired and motivated. Each individual or audience member will emerge with concrete and memorable ways to identify and work toward personal and professional goals while adding meaning to their lives.

Daniel has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, Colorado’s Best, Colorado Biz, and on 9News. He’s been recognized among the Denver Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, selected to the renowned Leadership Denver program by the Denver Metro Chamber and appointed as a Commissioner for Colorado’s Civil Rights Division for the State of Colorado. In addition to his day job leading Inward Fitness, Daniel also works as a personal trainer and performance coach for the internationally known band Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

A ﬁrst-generation college student, Daniel earned his undergraduate degree in health and exercise science from Colorado State University with a Minor in Anatomy/Neurobiology, where he was a Division I athlete. He has given back to his alma mater, serving CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences Executive Leadership Council, speaking to students, faculty, and graduates, and mentoring minority, bi-racial and multi-racial student-athletes through the John Mosley Leadership Program.

Daniel keeps his mind and body active and healthy with gym workouts, reading, connecting with others, mountain biking, hiking, camping and snowboarding. He also enjoys learning languages and traveling. A ‘girl-dad’ through and through, he lives with his wife and two daughters in Denver, Colorado.

"It’s always a joy and inspiration to connect with Daniel Ward. His wonderful keynote speech during commencement captivated our most recent Colorado State University graduates. Daniel has an extraordinary ability to relate to his audience and to distill useful ideas in original ways. His was far from a typical keynote speech. Each member of the audience walked away with concrete, memorable ways to pursue meaningful lives. Every time I talk with Daniel, I am struck by his phenomenal energy, his insight, and most of all his drive to positively impact others. His commencement speech was a perfect example. As an alumna myself, Daniel makes me and CSU proud!"

"Challenge. Curiosity. Connection. Daniel Ward is an outstanding speaker who motivates people to find their impact, intention, and meaning through these “3 C’s.” A proud and successful alum of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University, he spoke to graduating undergraduates at the College’s recent commencement ceremony. His energy, enthusiasm, and infectious engagement had students riveted. As dean, I have heard countless graduation speeches, and without a doubt, this one captivated. He inspired thousands -- students, their families and friends, and faculty – in person and streaming online – with his message of movement into being one’s best. A powerful story teller and gifted leader, he connects, he challenges, and he invites curiosity. He bridges backgrounds and experiences to motivate people to energize their passion for impact."

"I run a music management company and I have been in this profession for over thirty years. Our number one goal is to define with our bands their definition of success and then to go out and achieve that for them. Daniel Ward’s presence, guidance, training and mentorship plays a major role in our largest band and their success. The strains on the life of a traveling musician and the challenges for a healthy lifestyle are significant. Whether on a zoom across continents or together in a sweaty gym Daniel keeps the teams bodies and heads right. Daniel has greatly increased the well being of the entire band and crew at home in Denver and on the road."

About Me

Book Daniel for Your Next Event

What People Are Saying

Ready to achieve more, lead stronger, and live from YOUR gift?