Karl Mecklenburg excelled as a student and an athlete. His writing and presentations will teach you the "Six Keys to Success" that he used to complete his premed curriculum while playing major college football. Karl graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology, allowing him to choose between a career in medicine, or in professional football.

A Former Denver Broncos captain and All-Pro, Karl Mecklenburg rose from being a college walk-on and a 12th round draft pick to a pro career that included six Pro Bowl and three Super Bowl appearances. Considered the NFL's most versatile player, Karl played all seven defensive front positions. Bronco coaches wanted him at the point of attack and would move him throughout the game. There were many games where Mecklenburg played all 7 positions in the course of a single game.

Since retiring from pro football in 1995, Karl divides his time between family, motivational speaking and his ongoing charity involvements. Karl and his wife Kathi have three children. The Mecklenburgs still live in Littleton Colorado and attend West Bowles Community Church. In 2001, Karl was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He also serves on the Broncos Alumni Council.

The Mecklenburgs have had a strong commitment to many Colorado charities through the years, which they continue to uphold. In 2006 they formed the Karl Mecklenburg REACH Foundation in an effort to further impact the youth of Colorado. REACH stands for rewarding experiences for all children. A reading program and hands on experiential learning opportunities for Denver area youth, develop lifelong passions for learning and a willingness to take on new challenges.

Karl and Kathi have both served on the board of directors for Pros With A Purpose. Pros works with Denver Rescue Mission to pair homeless families with community mentor-teams [volunteers]. These teams help the families to help themselves by providing budgeting, spiritual and vocational guidance as well as financial support such as apartment security deposit funds. Karl is a Trustee of Colorado Youth Outdoors. CYO brings high schoolers and their parents together to learn about and experience traditional outdoor sports. Karl has also served as an honorary board member with The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Aspen Youth Experience.

Karl is a member of the National Speakers Association. He has enjoyed speaking to a variety of groups over the years, and his story is both humorous and inspirational. The lessons life in the NFL taught him about teamwork, courage, dedication, desire, honesty, forgiveness and goal setting can be applied anywhere. He has hosted a radio program, done television sideline reporting and studio work, written columns for the Denver Post and had magazine articles published. He is the coauthor of Meck For The Defense and the author of Heart of a Student Athlete: All Pro Advice for Competitors and Their Families. This book, awarded the Mom's Choice Awards® Gold Recipient and the 2010 Mensa Sharp Writ Book Awards: Best Book for Young Adults, offers advice to young athletes and their loved ones about what it really takes to be successful in sports and life.

• Six Keys to Success - Success is overcoming obstacles on the way to your dreams. It doesn't happen by accident. There is a pattern, a template that these accomplishments have in common. Karl's speeches give you the Six Keys to Success that he used to rise from a college walk-on to the most versatile player in the NFL. His presentation will be tailored to the needs of your group, and is full of humor and the life lessons that the rigors of the NFL taught him. Teamwork - leadership is the ultimate form of teamwork, "think we not me"; Courage to try new things and the courage to be decisive; Dedication - hard work, constant learning, and refusing to quit; Desire - your dreams, your passion, your mission; Honesty and Forgiveness, with others and in self evaluation; and Goal Setting - the short term, reasonable, specific steps that take you to your desires. These are the keys that you can apply at work, in your relationships, in your personal life, and anywhere that is important to you.