Rising Stars: Meet Derrick Malone Jr of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrick Malone Jr

Hi Derrick, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began on the football field, where I played linebacker at the University of Oregon. From the outside, it looked like I was living the dream. But internally, I was battling depression in silence, feeling trapped by the stigma surrounding mental health, especially as an athlete. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom—after a shoulder injury cut my NFL aspirations short—that I realized I needed to embrace vulnerability to truly heal.

Writing became my outlet. I started by sharing my mental health struggles in a blog post called “Depression, I Deal With It Too.” It was the first time I had openly admitted my battle with depression, and the response was overwhelming. The outpouring of support from friends, family, and even other athletes who resonated with my story made me realize that vulnerability could be my strength. That’s when I decided to become a wellness advocate.

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to raise awareness about mental health and emotional well-being. I’ve spoken at universities, panels, and corporations, sharing my personal story to encourage others to prioritize their mental wellness. But I knew I needed to do more than just talk about my experiences—I wanted to leave a lasting impact, especially for the next generation.

That’s what inspired me to write my children’s book, “Why Don’t Big Boys Cry?” It’s a story that encourages young boys—and all children—to embrace vulnerability and express their emotions. I wish I had a book like that when I was younger. Through this project, I hope to help children understand that it’s okay to feel and to be compassionate with themselves.

Now, my focus has expanded to conducting wellness workshops for athletes, business professionals, and children. I help people build mental resilience, develop a growth mindset, and foster the mind-body connection. I teach mindfulness practices like visualization and journaling to improve focus, reduce stress, and support recovery. Ultimately, my goal is to help others overcome adversity, perform at their peak, and achieve long-term success—both on and off the field.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s the beauty of the journey. One of the most significant struggles was writing my children’s book, “Why Don’t Big Boys Cry?”—not just from a technical standpoint, but because it was deeply personal. In many ways, it was an emotional journey to heal my inner child. Writing about vulnerability and emotional expression for young boys forced me to confront parts of myself that I had suppressed for years. It was therapeutic but challenging to revisit those moments of pain and growth in my life.

Beyond the emotional aspect, there were plenty of practical challenges too. Since I’m a self-published author and this was my first children’s book, I had to overcome a steep learning curve. Everything from finding the right illustrator to navigating the publishing process was new to me. I had to figure out how to market the book, build an audience, and make sure it would resonate with both kids and parents. There were countless late nights, edits, and moments of self-doubt, but I knew it was all part of the process.

In addition to the book, there were the challenges of building my wellness brand and conducting workshops. Whether it’s learning how to engage athletes or tailoring workshops for different audiences like business professionals or children, it took a lot of trial and error to get it right. But I’ve learned that every setback is a stepping stone. The road hasn’t been smooth, but every struggle has taught me something valuable, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently in the process of transitioning my career from being a leader in talent acquisition for major tech companies like Google, Pinterest, and Netflix to pursuing my true passion—wellness. For years, I was focused on building high-performing teams and organizations, but I reached a point where I realized I needed to focus on helping people in a different way. Now, I’ve shifted my energy toward mental wellness, specifically working with athletes, business professionals, and children.

I specialize in wellness workshops that focus on mental resilience, the mind-body connection, and fostering a growth mindset. I teach practical techniques like mindfulness, journaling, and visualization to help people manage stress, improve focus, and achieve long-term success in their personal and professional lives. Recently, I’ve also become a self-published author with my children’s book “Why Don’t Big Boys Cry?” which encourages young boys to embrace vulnerability and express their emotions in healthy ways.

What sets me apart is my unique combination of experiences—coming from the high-pressure world of tech leadership, where I built teams for some of the world’s top companies, and now combining that with my lived experience as a former athlete who has battled and overcome mental health challenges. I bring a deep understanding of both performance and well-being, and I know firsthand how crucial mental health is to success in any field.

What I’m most proud of is the ability to turn my own struggles into a platform for change. Whether it’s sharing my story of overcoming depression as an athlete, or creating spaces for people to openly discuss mental wellness, I’m proud to be part of a movement that is making vulnerability and emotional health a priority.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that surprises people is that I’m a certified international chocolate sommelier, certified by the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting. I’ve traveled throughout Latin America to learn the art of crafting three-ingredient bean-to-bar chocolate, while immersing myself in the rich history, benefits, and power of cacao.

For me, chocolate-making is more than just a skill—it’s a deeply meditative and therapeutic practice. Some of my most grounding moments come when I’m either making chocolate from scratch or conducting a tasting. It’s a process that centers me, offering a unique blend of mindfulness and creativity that complements my wellness work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: poeticsoul__

Image Credits
(The last photo at the Rose Bowl) // Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports