Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrick Standifer.
Hi Derrick , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I flunked out of two colleges before I finally found my purpose ironically in education. What changed was my mindset. I realized that life, like a Rubik’s Cube, is full of twists and turns, and the key isn’t avoiding the challenges, but learning how to solve them.
I went back to school, earned my bachelor’s, master’s, and eventually a Ph.D., all while being a full time single father to two beautyfully trouble making babies. During that time, I lost both of my parents and went through a nasty divorce. However, instead of breaking me, those experiences built me, sharpened my resilience, and taught me that success means nothing if you can’t help others find their own.
Today, I’m an educator, speaker, and thought leader who teaches resilience and problem solving through my framework, Life Is Like a Rubik’s Cube. I use stories, strategy, and symbolism to help people from classrooms to boardrooms learn how to turn life’s challenges into opportunities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road?
Not even close.
There’s nothing smooth about raising two young children, building a career, and earning a Ph.D. while grieving the loss of both parents and navigating a divorce. It was overwhelming. There were nights when my kids and I were both crying and the only thing holding me together was prayer and purpose.
I questioned everything. I wondered if God was angry with me. I felt invisible, overlooked, misunderstood. At times, people only saw where I fell short, not what I was fighting through just to stand. But deep down, I knew this path wasn’t meant to break me; it was meant to build me.
I’ve learned that the heaviest loads are given to the strongest shoulders. And when I hit rock bottom, I heard a speech by Rick Rigsby that changed everything. He said, “Rock bottom can be a beautiful foundation to build upon.” That message flipped a switch inside me. I stopped seeing my pain as punishment and started using it as power.
Those hard seasons didn’t just make me tougher they made me truer. They taught me that resilience isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. And that’s the energy I carry into everything I do today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an educator, keynote speaker, and thought leader who teaches people how to solve the twists and turns of life both literally and metaphorically through my framework Life Is Like a Rubik’s Cube. I use the Rubik’s Cube as a symbol of resilience and problem-solving, helping audiences see that every challenge, no matter how scrambled, can be solved with patience, strategy, and perspective.
My work sits at the intersection of education, personal growth, and storytelling. In classrooms, I teach students how to think critically and believe in themselves. On stages, I help educators, leaders, and organizations build cultures rooted in purpose and perseverance. And in every setting, I bring the same energy, part educator, part motivator, part mirror helping people see the strength already inside them.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the degrees or the titles, but it’s the impact. It’s watching a student who doubted themselves solve a Rubik’s Cube for the first time and realize they can solve anything. It’s seeing audiences tear up because they see their story in mine.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just talk about resilience, I live it. I’ve learned how to turn pain into purpose, and I teach others to do the same. My life’s mission is to help people make sense of their chaos, find clarity in their challenges, and align their lives just like the colors of a cube one turn at a time.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Absolutely. The best advice I can give is stop looking for mentors and start looking for models. Mentors are people you talk to; models are people you learn from, even when they don’t know you exist. Early on, I studied how other leaders carried themselves, communicated, and built relationships. I watched my models on youtube, I took notes, asked questions when the opportunity presented itself, and I found ways to add value before ever asking for help.
When it comes to networking, my philosophy is simple: don’t chase connections, build relationships. Real networking is about serving, showing up, and being consistent. My favorite question to ask is, “How can I serve?” Every opportunity I’ve received came because someone saw my work ethic long before they heard my pitch.
I’ve been blessed with mentors who didn’t just tell me what to do; they showed me how to think. And that only happened because I stayed curious, coachable, and humble enough to learn from anyone, regardless of their title and despite the fact that I have a PhD.
If you want to grow your network, be someone worth connecting with. Bring energy, value, and follow through. The right people will find you because excellence always attracts attention.
Pricing:
- My book is $20.
- Contact me for coaching, consulting, or keynotes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lifeislikearubikscube.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.derrickstandifer?igsh=MXI1MDlsb3F1cmk0Zw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiCRVQYbZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
