Who is the number one motivational speaker in the Philippines today?
While I’m tempted to drop a name, I’d rather not. At least that came from a good friend of mine who told me that I may not be the best motivational speaker but I’m able to position myself as such. He said being best is so subjective that you must be able to position yourself so well to at least be perceived as such.
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But my job as the highest paid motivational speaker under the age of 30 is more than perception. When I am up on stage to share my message, I perform. I’m not just giving it without sweat. I do it with gusto, energy, power, and enthusiasm. I’m passionate with what I do and I love how I do it—people laugh, get serious, laugh again, get serious again—or in other words it’s a dynamic, moving experience.
There are many motivational speaker in the Philippines and Asia and I must say that I know some of them. I’m 27 years old and I’d like to meet some more doing almost the same mission that I do—not for the profit but for the hope that we can make a lot of difference should we learn to maximize our potentials.
My job as motivational speaker isn’t about being number one or two or three. I don’t see any competition in this industry although some may insist there is and that they are older, more established, seasoned, and experienced. I really don’t care at all. I do my stuff and I do it with passion.
When I produced a John Maxwell show back in 2008, I had to experience older people bullying younger people. Even though I was the producer, it didn’t exempt me from feeling inferior about business. I was able to work with some guys of great reputation—so great that I almost forgot my own greatness inside. I was torn out by different ideas and realities going around. There are people who just don’t let you get away with some accomplishments without any fight. And I don’t think I did a great fight.
I started feel small and I looked down to myself. It dawned on me that I was just, just a small boy trying to penetrate and conquer Goliath’s country. I didn’t have a known family name or a foreign descent. I didn’t have the riches and the comfort growing up. I didn’t have a business background or private education. All my life, I was struggling.
But then there I was, trying my very best to fit in—and maybe please those Goliaths. Maybe they will learn to love me and make me feel I belong.
I only got disappointed and frustrated. At the end of the day, I found myself homeless and helpless. The people that I used to look up to turned out to be the people who pinned me down. In my hardest time, they were there not support me but to tell me to surrender.
“We cannot let you speak on stage Lloyd. You are a risk,” said the gentleman.
But I think that’s the essence of life. You get into something and you must be able to respond to that “something.” Your response becomes the basis of your results. And most of those results make up the person you become.
I got the message. And I decided to get up and turn the table again. I decided to believe in my own greatness because I knew there’s something in me that they just cannot take. I’m not sure if they’re afraid of me and what I can do. But as I said, it’s never a competition.
In fact, one gentleman from the same Mafia would always tell me, “Lloyd, there’s no competition. There’s only coopetition.” Well, I hope he got his own message. Because, that’s exactly what I believe now. And that’s one of the things that I live up to to this day since he first told me that statement.
Number one motivational speaker, anyone? Whew! I hope I can volunteer. But let’s ask some people around who have experienced how we deliver our message or hope and fulfillment.
I may not be the best. But I’m sure I’m always doing my best once I’m up on stage. More than half a million people have listened to me in the last four years. That’s what makes me feel I am able to do my best—for now.
