Famous motivational speakers, for decades and centuries past, have been influencing people, helping them deal with their situations and to be happy. They have enjoyed a vast and loyal following whether in the form of Pastors preaching from the pulpits, delivering sermons, or in the form of more secular businessmen capitalising on their Oratory skills. Motivational speakers have the ability to pierce to the death of the human condition and wield its essence so as to get millions of people to trust them, have faith in them, to be inspired by them.
Not all the top motivational speakers are perfect, far from it, most of them are quite open about their own faults and shortcomings, which makes their humanity all the more attractive and relatable, their vulnerability becomes their shield.
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10 Famous Motivational Speakers In The World
Here’s a list of 10 of the most famous Motivational Speakers in the world. So if you have a gaping hole in your life and are looking for some inspiration, look no further than this list.
#1. Eric Thomas – America
One of Eric Thomas’ greatest appeals and draws is his open personality coupled with his backstory. It’s a classic rags-to-riches story. Born and raised in Detroit, Thomas was homeless by the age of 16, but although he didn’t have much in the way of skills, money or shelter, he did have a will of steel and a determination to go with it.
He wanted to be someone better, he wasn’t satisfied with his lot in life and he wanted to turn that around, to snatch the wheels of destiny back into his own hands. And he did just that. And now he’s the amongst the world’s most famous Motivational Speakers with a beloved Youtube presence and his segment “Thank God It’s Monday.”
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” — Eric Thomas
#2. Les Brown – America
Brown hails from a really low-income part of Miami, having been born in an abandoned building, and growing up as a child thought to be mentally retarded in grade school. However, he overcame all those challenges and is now one of the best motivational speakers in the world.
His initiation into the oratory arts is in itself quite fascinating. He was watching an utterly boring person give a speech, however despite how boring he was one thing stuck with Brown, when that orator said “I know that I am boring, but I am able to do more than you and give this speech because I have rejected all the fears, insecurities, and doubts that you have accepted.” This was just the start of Brown’s own journey.
“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” — Les Brown
#3. Tony Robbins – America
Following the pattern of people with troubled childhood stories, Robbins was brought up in an abusive home which he escaped from at the age of 17. He started off promoting seminars for another speaker Jim Rohn, which gave him the idea to branch out on his own.
He has made tangible changes in people’s lives under extremely short minutes. In one of his youtube videos, he cures a man’s stutter within 7 minutes, and in another, he saves a man from a bad marriage under 8.
“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” — Tony Robbins
#4. Jim Rohn – America
He was a famous entrepreneur and motivational speaker who is credited with having mentored some of the other big names like Tony Robbins and Mark Hughes.
Rohn started off as a distributor for direct selling companies, however after an evening when he was invited to give a speech at the Beverly Hills Hotel, his life transformed and he discovered his true skills of holding an audience enraptured. His career spanned over 4 decades.
“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” — Jim Rohn
#5. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Austria-America
We know this multi-talented personality as a lot of things. We know him as the original Terminator. We know him as a former Governor of California. And we even know him as a professional Bodybuilder. However, one of his less mainstream though still, well-known skills is that of Motivational Speaking.
He was inducted into the army at the young age of 18, but even then he managed to train when others were resting, and even snuck out to compete in Mr. Europe! It is this level of dedication and passion that he brings to his speeches, and inspires others to follow their dreams.
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is the strength.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger
#6. Nick Vujicic – Australia
He’s even appeared on Oprah and he’s an extremely inspirational personality and speaker with a rare disease known as tetra-amelia syndrome, which means he was born without any limbs. However, he overcame all the taunts and struggles, internal and external, and became immensely famous in turn.
At a very young age he started a non-profit called Life Without Limbs, and in 2005 he went on to win Young Australian of the Year Award.
“This life is full of great experiences if we only give it a shot.” — Nick Vujicic
#7. Zig Ziglar – America
He has seen a lot of tragedy in his life, having lost his father to a stroke at the age of 5, and a sister two days later.
Ziglar even served in the World War II army throughout 1935 to 1946, however, he’s harnessed all his tragedy and loss to inspire others and help them deal with their own griefs and losses. He died of pneumonia at the age of 86 in the the year 2012.
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as who you become by achieving your goals. “— Zig Ziglar
#8. Jack Canfield – America
He started off as a high school teacher, went on to becoming a successful author with a record for having had 7 books reach the New York Times best-seller list all at the same time.
He’s also the co-author for the world famous series Chicken Soup for the Soul, which has proven to help so many people around the world through their rough patches. It has been published in 40 languages and overall 500 million copies were printed.
“I believe that people make their own luck through preparation and good strategy.” — Jack Canfield
#9. Brian Tracy – America
He is more of a leadership speaker. And he is definitely worthy of that role, being the CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company he founded to help people develop personalities and organisations.
Tracy takes seminars on leadership skills and personal development for elite corporations and organisations. He has already written 65 books which have been translated into over 42 languages. Among his books, the most famous ones are Eat That Frog and Earn What You’re Really Worth.
“All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.” — Brian Tracy
#10. Robin Sharma – Canada
More an author than a speaker, he nonetheless deserves to be on this list for the massive success and impact of his seminal work “The monk who sold his Ferrari”, which is about a man who sold his home and Ferrari to go on a spiritual journey.
He’s had 15 successful books published since 1995, and that earns him a position on any list of famous Motivational Speakers.
“Dreamers are mocked as impractical. The truth is they are the most practical, as their innovations lead to progress and a better way of life for all of us.” — Robin S. Sharma
So these are some of the most famous motivational speakers in the world. Do go through their stuff and let us know down in the comments section which of these famous motivational speakers most influence you and why. We’d love to hear from you!
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