Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrin “Boomer” Williams.
Hi Darrin “Boomer”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I often say my story didn’t start when I picked up a microphone or stepped onto a stage it started long before that, in the moments where I had to decide who I was going to become when no one was watching.
I grew up understanding the power of discipline, sacrifice, and belief. Sports became my first classroom. As a professional athlete, I learned early that talent can open doors, but mindset is what keeps them open. Competing at a high level taught me how to push through pressure, adapt in unfamiliar environments, and perform when expectations are high. Playing internationally, especially across Europe & South America, expanded my worldview and showed me that purpose has no borders.
But like many athletes, I eventually faced the question that comes for all of us: Who am I beyond the uniform? That transition was pivotal. I chose not to let my career end……. I chose to let it evolve.
I moved into sports marketing (creating Sicilian Based Agency Ambassy International), leadership development, and education, completing a dual doctorate while building programs that help athletes and students translate confidence, discipline, and identity into real-world success. Along the way, I realized that the messages I was sharing in classrooms, locker rooms, and keynote stages were resonating deeply ….. because they weren’t theory. They were lived experience.
“You Are The Champion” was born from that realization and transition.
This album is the intersection of my life, recorded across Europe and the United States, shaped by different cultures, different struggles, and the same universal truth: greatness starts within. It’s not music in the traditional sense, it’s motivation, affirmation, and mindset training set to rhythm and emotion. It’s for the athlete redefining themselves, the student doubting their potential, the professional rebuilding after setbacks, and anyone who needs to be reminded that they are still in the fight.
Every track reflects moments I’ve lived, wins, losses, reinvention, faith, and resilience. My journey hasn’t been linear, but it’s been intentional. I’ve learned that champions aren’t just crowned, they’re built daily through belief, action, and consistency.
And that’s the message I want people to walk away with:
You don’t have to wait for permission to win.
You don’t have to look the part to be powerful.
You already carry what it takes.
You are the champion! Before the applause, before the title, before the world catches up…..
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. It’s been far from a smooth road … and I think that’s an important part of the story to tell. As my wife says “OWN YOUR STORT”.
When I transitioned to public speaking and global entrprenuership, I put away my extensive history in music, that silently prepared me to speak on stages. Going by the name “Darrin Mclaren”, i was blessed and fortunate to open for NAS, Big Sean, Migos, Slaughterhouse, and even perform on the same stages as Twista, Dej Loaf, Pleasure P, & Jacquees.
There were moments when the plan didn’t work, when doors closed unexpectedly, and when I had to confront uncertainty head-on. Transitioning from professional sports was one of the biggest challenges. When the game ends, the applause fades quickly, and you’re left with a real question: Who am I without the title? That identity shift can be uncomfortable, even painful, if you’re not prepared for it.
I also faced the reality of starting over…… building credibility in new spaces, navigating business, education, and leadership without shortcuts. There were financial sacrifices, long nights, and seasons where progress was happening internally long before it showed up externally. Studying for my doctorate while working, raising a family, and continuing to serve others tested my discipline and patience in ways sports never did.
Recording “You Are The Champion” came with its own challenges as well ….. balancing travel between Europe and the United States, aligning creative vision across cultures, and staying authentic while creating something meaningful, not just marketable. There were moments of doubt, moments where I had to remind myself why I started.
But every struggle sharpened the message.
Those obstacles taught me that confidence isn’t loud…..it’s consistent. That resilience is built in repetition. And that purpose often reveals itself in pressure. The setbacks didn’t disqualify me; they refined me.
That’s why this album is so personal. It’s not about pretending the road was easy…… t’s about proving that it was worth it. The struggles became the soundtrack, and the lessons became the lyrics.
Because champions aren’t defined by smooth journeys…..they’re defined by how they rise when the road gets rough.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work sits at the intersection of **mindset, leadership, and transition**… helping people recognize who they are *beyond* a title and teaching them how to leverage their experiences into long-term success.
At my core, I’m an educator, speaker, and strategist. I specialize in leadership development, athlete transition, and personal brand elevation. Through my work in education, professional speaking, and global sports consulting, I help athletes, students, and professionals translate discipline, confidence, and adversity into real-world outcomes …. whether that’s in business, academics, or life after sports.
I’m best known for my ability to **connect worlds**. I bring the mentality of a professional athlete into classrooms, boardrooms, and communities. I don’t just talk about resilience or leadership …. I show people how to *apply* it. My programs and talks focus on identity, ownership, and execution ….. because motivation without direction fades quickly.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building pathways for others while continuing to grow myself. Earning my doctorate while actively working, mentoring, and raising a family reinforced everything I teach about discipline and consistency. I’ve also had the privilege of working internationally …. across Europe and the U.S…….creating opportunities for athletes and students to see beyond their immediate environment and think globally.
What truly sets me apart is authenticity and lived experience. I’m not teaching theory from a distance….I’ve lived the highs of professional sports, the uncertainty of transition, the grind of reinvention, and the responsibility of leadership. I understand what it feels like to start over, to bet on yourself, and to rebuild with purpose.
*You Are The Champion* is an extension of that work. It’s mindset training in audio form …. designed to meet people where they are and remind them who they already are. I don’t see success as a destination; I see it as a decision made daily.
If there’s one thing people know me for, it’s this: I help individuals stop waiting to be chosen ….. and start choosing themselves.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Without hesitation, it’s **intentional consistency**.
Talent opens doors, confidence gets attention…. but consistency is what builds trust, mastery, and longevity. I’ve learned that showing up every day, especially when motivation is low and results aren’t visible yet, is what separates potential from progress.
Intentional consistency means I don’t move randomly. Every decision has purpose. Whether it was training as a professional athlete, earning my doctorate, building programs, or creating *You Are The Champion*, I committed to daily actions aligned with the bigger vision …. even when no one was clapping.
It also taught me patience. Growth doesn’t announce itself. Many of the most important wins in my life happened quietly, long before they were recognized publicly. Consistency allowed me to outlast doubt, adapt through setbacks, and keep moving forward when quitting would’ve been easier.
That mindset is what I try to pass on to others: you don’t need to be perfect …. you need to be persistent. When belief meets consistent action, success becomes inevitable.
Pricing:
- Album Title: You Are The Champion Format: Digital motivational album (spoken word / mindset training) Availability: All major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music)
- Digital Album Download: $14.99
- Champion Mindset Bundle (Album + bonus affirmations + guided focus track): $29.99
- Speaking & Coaching (Related to Album Themes): Keynote Speaking Engagements: Starting at $5,000
- Booking & Inquiries: https://www.onlyoneboomer.com/contact
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.OnlyOneBoomer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyoneboomer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlyoneboomer
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrinboomerwilliams/
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/onlyoneboomer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnlyOneBoomer
- Other: https://geo.music.apple.com/album/you-are-the-champion/1861933328
