By Jolene Farley
Dan Heidt, surrounded by many autographed photos of celebrities he protected in his 30 years as a bodyguard, spoke to students at Hills-Beaver Creek High School on Tuesday.
Heidt has traveled around the country delivering workshops with strong messages on right choices, drug abuse and defusing potentially violent situations.
In Hills, Heidt told students the reason he achieved such success as a bodyguard wasn't because of his strength, it was because of his ability to calm people down.
"The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone," he said. "Ninety-nine percent of the time I can get people to work with me, I can calm them down."
He stressed to students that even though he has black belts in 10 styles of Karate and is one of the top bodyguards in the United States he has been hurt.
"I want you to know that life is not like Walker Texas Ranger," he said, enforcing the fact that violence doesn't always mirror what we see on television or in the movies.
As a professional bodyguard, he always uses just enough force to protect his clients.
Heidt has first-hand knowledge of the devastation that occurs as a result of violence. He worked with staff and students at some of the recent school shootings in our country.
All the tragedies share a common grain: a lack of respect.
The shooters were bullied or teased in some way, according to Heidt.
"It's seldom ever the bully that commits the shootings," he said.
When kids get to the point that everybody is beating them badly, they give up hope.
"You can choose to be violent, or you can choose to tease someone when it isnÕt funny anymore," he said. "You have choices."
He added that drugs contributed to many of the tragedies. Someone who is battling depression can become more depressed if they take drugs, according to Heidt.
Heidt discussed some of his celebrity clients who provide good role models for youth including basketball players David Robinson and Michael Jordan and actor Harrison Ford.
Heidt used comedian Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose, as an example of someone who made bad choices. Heidt, Farley's bodyguard on more than one occasion, liked him.
"He is a perfect example of somebody who made the wrong choices," he said. "He was making millions, but had a horrible drug problem and couldn't quit."
He said many celebrities have made wrong choices about drugs. "All the time I was protecting them, they were slowly killing themselves," he said.
Heidt, who grew up in Iowa, attributes his desire to share his message to his mother and sister, both teachers.
He also thinks of his own daughter. "The last thing I ever wanted was for her to get caught up in a violent situation," he said.
Heidt grew up in a home with domestic violence and wants kids to know that they choose their path in life.
"I really believe that young people want good information," he said.
"If I can win over a few of you I will be happy."
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans paid for the workshop at Hills.