D.J. Vanas

D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas is a thought leader, celebrated speaker and best-selling author whose expertise is showing people and organizations how to apply the warrior spirit at work. He is the author of the best-selling book "The Tiny Warrior" which is printed in six countries and the novel "Spirit on the Run." Vanas’s newest book, "The Warrior Within" was published by Penguin Random House in 2022.

Vanas is an enrolled member of the Ottawa Tribe and a former U.S. Air Force officer. He inspires organizations to strengthen their tribe and practically apply traditional warrior principles to serve at their best, stay resilient and lead with courage. For over two decades, he’s delivered his dynamic programs to clients such as Walt Disney, NASA, Intel Corporation, the U.S. military, Amazon, Costco, Mayo Clinic and over 500 tribal nations. He’s also been invited to speak at The White House - twice.

He holds a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an M.S. from University of Southern California and has served on the Board of Directors on the National Board of Certified Counselors. Vanas is featured in the PBS documentary "The Warrior Tradition" and was the host and producer of his own PBS special "Discovering Your Warrior Spirit." He’s been featured in high-profile media outlets such as NBC, the Daily Stoic podcast, United Airlines Hemispheres Magazine and Forbes. He is also a regular contributing writer for Men’s Journal Magazine.