David

Diving help and change

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My name is David Chalk, and I learned to read at the age of 62. I am featured in the documentary The Truth About Reading because I know firsthand the life-altering impact of illiteracy. Despite reading at or below a sixth-grade level for most of my life, I manage dyslexia, ADHD, prosopagnosia—the inability to recognize faces, a rare condition—and numerous other cognitive challenges. I barely survived school and was told by counselors that I would amount to nothing in life. They said people like me end up on the streets or in jail. Yet, at 20, I became an airline pilot. By 23, I started my first business, and at 28, I earned my first million—all driven by the power of goal setting, focus, and determination instilled in me by my mother.

The unconditional love of my mother was the foundation of everything I achieved. Her belief in me taught me the power of resilience and guided me through some of life’s greatest challenges. She showed me the importance of unconditional love, acceptance, and self-worth—lessons I now share with others to help them overcome their own struggles and reach their full potential.

The statistics around literacy are shocking and egregious. Over 52% of children graduate with low literacy, and more than 140 million adults in North America read at or below a sixth-grade level. I was one of them. I have spent years understanding why the education system is failing to teach reading effectively and how the brain learns. I know the neuroscience behind how we can change these outcomes, and I am committed to global change. Through ReadingRoad.ai, the groundbreaking technology I am developing, I aim to help millions of children and adults learn to read. This work combines science-based methodologies with emotionally responsive AI, unlocking the potential for transformative and lasting success in literacy.

I speak across North America on artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for education and beyond. Recently, I was a guest of honor at Stanford University’s Advanced Education Symposium, where I shared insights into AI’s role in addressing learning differences. With over 15 years of experience in artificial intelligence, I combine cutting-edge innovation with a deep understanding of human potential to inspire meaningful change.

What makes my journey unique is that much of my success has been self-taught. In business, technology, and personal growth, I relied on curiosity, determination, and an unshakable belief in the power of learning. My story proves that success doesn’t require traditional pathways. It requires resilience, passion, and the willingness to adapt and grow. 🧩

Through my personal experiences and lifelong learnings, I’ve developed a strong awareness that we are not the negative thoughts or limiting stories our minds tell us. 🦋 I have created practical methodologies to manage those thoughts, thrive despite them, and ultimately achieve more than we believe possible. These insights are at the core of how I’ve overcome challenges and are tools I share with others to help them succeed.

At the foundation of everything I do are my three core values: family, respect, and agency. These values guide my work and life, reminding me of what truly matters and the importance of empowering others to achieve their potential.

I bring an informed, dynamic, and engaging presence to every discussion. With expertise in AI, neuroscience, and education—and the lived experience of overcoming profound challenges—I provide fact-based, inspiring, and transformative insights. My goal is to empower audiences to think differently, act confidently, and see the incredible possibilities within reach. 🙏

You may use any parts

Key links

The Truth About Reading — full documentary
- screening link
https://vimeo.com/860490581/10293b81d2?share=copy

Conversations That Matter - Youtube
https://youtu.be/Gz1DPkoPlLw?si=3fCvmJAIrtxGBPwS

Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Chalk_(entrepreneur)

Success and dyslexic minds

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_dyslexia

Life was hell

https://youtu.be/TBRjhcM8oAQ?si=OcY6CCzUmvfgTJiu

https://youtu.be/Akv_YCWIny4?si=xSxmL9wgV6RJdl4K

The background story

https://on.dystinct.org/dystinct-journey-david-chalk/

Celebrity dyslexics

https://dyslexiacanada.org/en/blog/12-canadian-celebrities-with-dyslexia

My mentoring work

https://youtu.be/N9A9Yhr-Tfg?si=iR17obLwH4E_xi1Z

My speaking work - my interviews are at no fee

https://keynotespeakers.ca/speaker/david-chalk/

Thank you so very much for the opportunity to outline by life and my passion to support others