“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius

This quote by Confucius describes why Doug chose to be a professional keynote speaker.

Here is his story.

I have been speaking in public since I was a child.  As the youngest in my family, I found speaking gave me a rare opportunity to express my thoughts without being interrupted!  In the 6th grade, at a school career fair, I noticed that professions which consistently piqued my interest were those that involved helping and teaching others. 

Although as a teenager I spent the majority of my time with friends and rock and roll, I also discovered a love for reading.  Novels never caught my interest. However, I discovered a fascination with books such as As a Man Thinketh and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  I had an insatiable thirst to learn as much as possible about personal growth, success skills, and relationship skills so that someday I could share what I learned with others.

After many years of study in higher education and through profound conversations with mentors Viktor Frankl and Steven Covey the fire ignited inside of me to overcome my personal challenges and then help others do the same.  Truly the joy of my soul is to share hope with, uplift and strengthen others!

My first professional keynote speech was given in 1993.  I was addicted. Giving all I could to help the audience learn to overcome personal challenges and take control of their lives exhilarated and fulfilled me. The fact that the audience connected enthusiastically to my message blew me away.  From this point on I knew that my path would be professional speaking.

God has placed everyone on this earth with a mission and purpose that only he/she can fulfill.  It is only through saying “Yes” to this mission that a person can become their most amazing and authentic self!   I feel speaking is my mission--part of my spiritual DNA

Saying yes to this journey has been one of the most exciting, scary, and rewarding paths I have taken.  I am passionate about every aspect of being a speaker and thank God for this wonderful opportunity.   

Shortly before his death, Viktor Frankl said to me “I feel grateful knowing that I have passed the torch on to others like you, who will keep the message of personal liberation alive!” Since that time I have done all I can to live up to this “great trust” by one of the world’s great men.