About

With DAViD Coaching Group’s executive coaches, you’ll experience the transformation you need and want. Our seasoned professional coaches help you and your organization pinpoint what’s missing, set a strategy, and drive sustainable change. We offer services and strategies that help you do what you need to do to get back on track and achieve your goals.

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Meet Johnny

Hi. My name is Johnny Karls, Founder and President of DAViD Coaching Group.

I grew up the youngest of eight kids in a tiny one-bathroom house. My dad died when I was one year old, so I was raised by my mother. My childhood stories are both comical and unbelievable.

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In 1986, I moved to Hollywood with $283, a film degree, and a dream of being a successful filmmaker. I didn’t know anyone in The Business, but eventually got a break as a delivery boy for a film company.

Over time, I worked my way into a job driving the director on a Charles Bronson movie. From there, I got work on projects at major studios like Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, and Sony, working with celebrities like Madonna, Mel Gibson, Nicolas Cage, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael Jordan. I was a part of hundreds of feature films, television, and commercial projects like Con Air, Lethal Weapon 4, Broken Arrow, and Eraser, as well as TV shows, music videos, and commercials, including Nike, Gatorade, McDonald’s, and the NBA. It was during this 15-year stint in the film industry that I met my lovely wife and had two children.

Filming Twin Peaks in Seattle

Sixty floors up in Chicago

Talking with Bruce Willis in between scenes

See more Hollywood memories >

Out of personal conviction, I decided to try something new. So, I went to grad school and earned a master’s degree in theology. At that same time, I worked as a part-time pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA with Sr. Pastor Francis Chan. We also decided to adopted two special needs kids. Soon, I moved into leadership roles and began creating media and teaching resources which have drawn millions of viewers—and even produced a #1 YouTube video. During my second career I learned volumes of lessons about people - how we think, what motivates us, and why.

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For the decade following graduate school, I worked as the U.S. based president for orphan care in Uganda, bringing dignity to those in impossible situations. Our organization raised awareness, funds, and ultimately, beautiful people with dignity and purpose. From there, with my diverse professional and life experience working with just about every type of human, I was recruited to be an executive coach. This was the perfect fit, building on my conviction that every person has enormous value and talent, most of which is yet to be discovered or inhibited.

Kathleen and Johnny, 1994

Over the years I've tasted fame, fortune, and international adventure. I also experienced poverty, disease, and hardship. These experiences help me connect with people—the great privilege of my life. Using my talents of encouragement, proven resolve methods, developing processes, and awareness, I have seen the people I coach make adjustments and thrive—from the rich and famous to the poor and obscure, and every type in between.

I've experienced the impossible made possible. And with that mindset of unlimited growth potential, I coach people to become healthier and more prosperous.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

Hiking Patagonia with sons