The record,
not the pitch.
Anyone can tell you what they'd do. This is what I've already done — in this community, with my own time, and with nothing asked in return.
Seven events. Seven causes. Over $175,000.
I started the “Give The Boot To” series to put real money behind causes that hit close to home in Niagara. Every year we pick one, and every year we hand over a cheque. Together with some amazing people, we've raised just over $175,000 in seven years.
| Event number# | Event | Who it supported |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Give The Boot To: Cystinosis | Cystinosis research |
| 02 | Give The Boot To: Parkinson's | Shaver Hospital |
| 03 | Give The Boot To: Mental Health | Pathstone Mental Health · RAFT Kids · Canadian Mental Health Association · Southridge Shelter |
| 04 | Give The Boot To: PTSD | Refuse To Lose |
| 05 | Give The Boot To: Bullying | Anti-bullying books donated to every school in the Niagara Catholic District School Board |
| 06 | Give The Boot To: Cardiovascular Disease | Niagara Health's St. Catharines hospital — new equipment for the cardiology department |
| 07 | Give The Boot For Ronald McDonald House | Ronald McDonald House — sponsored a room for families |
The cardiovascular event has since grown into an annual gala supporting Niagara Health's cardiology program. Niagara Health told that story here.
Shoulder to shoulder with the people doing the hardest work
Being an ambassador isn't a title you hang on a wall. It put me in the room with the organizations dealing with poverty, housing, and addiction in this region every single day — and that's a large part of why I'm running.
- Ambassador, Start Me Up Niagara — two years supporting people facing poverty, homelessness, and mental health challenges across the region.
- Ambassador, GROW Niagara Falls — one year.
- Founder, Give The Boot To fundraising series — seven events, over $175,000 raised for Niagara causes.
- Cardiovascular health advocate — after surviving a cardiac event, speaking publicly about heart health and raising funds for Niagara Health's cardiology program.
BTO Performance Group and Personal Training
Three years in Niagara Falls, eleven in Thorold, and counting. A studio built to feel like family — everyone welcome, nobody judged.
- Nominated, Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year, 2017
- Niagara Impact Award for Best Business, 2022
- Best Personal Trainer — 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026
- Best Fitness Instructor — 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026
- Best Fitness Club — 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026
- Best Personal Training — 2020, 2021, 2022, 2026
Be That One
A fitness apparel brand built around one idea: stop waiting for someone else to step up.
Author & speaker
Be That One: Why Does It Have To Be Someone Else, Why Not Me? — written with Perry Lefko. Dan also speaks to teams, schools, and organizations across the region.
Visit the studio
A kicker who was told he wasn't good enough
Two Grey Cups, a national soccer team, and a high school hall of fame — from someone whose guidance counsellor recommended he give up on more school.
2000 & 2004
BC Lions, 2000. Toronto Argonauts, 2004.
Pro football
- Toronto Argonauts1999, 2001, 2003, 2004
- Ottawa Renegades2002 — 2nd pick, 1st round, dispersal draft
- BC Lions2000
- Buffalo Bills (NFL)2000
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers2009
Soccer & school
- Canadian National Soccer Team
- Ontario Soccer Team
- Niagara Regional Soccer Team — 3 years
- Niagara Falls Club Italia, NSL
- Denis Morris High School Hall of Fame Sports Award, 2000
Recognition I didn't go looking for
I've never done any of this for an award. But when your own community, your old school board, and Rotary all say the work mattered, that's worth putting on the record.
- Canada 150 Award for Community Service
- Niagara Impact Award, Business, 2022
- Distinguished Alumni Award — Niagara Catholic District School Board, 2022
- Paul Harris Fellow — The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
- Hall of Fame — Thorold Runway of Recognition, 2021
- Hall of Fame — Denis Morris High School, 2000