Speaker's Corner: Jarvis Green Inspires From the Heart July 30, 2008 Looking for a motivational speaker to get your staffers ramped up and ready to go? Take a look at the "Speaker's Corner" to get the scoop on some big names you may want to book.
By Robert Tuchman
When talking about inspiration, New England Patriot's football pro Jarvis Green should come to mind. With history-making play records, an exceptional off-field business career and a history of "giving his all," he's one speaker that knows how to motivate any team, corporate or otherwise. Here, Incentive online columnist Robert Tuchman catches up with Green and asks what drives him to succeed.
What is life like for you nowadays? It's pretty good, I'm doing a lot of things off the field right now. It keeps me calm, and some are the things I always dreamed of doing, like opening another business venture and building my non-profit organization up. I can tell you this, with three kids and a family it keeps everything in perspective.
What is your typical speaking topic? I speak more about my life and struggles that I've been through. For example, my first time ever playing sports…I quit.
Tell us about your career after football… I’m building my career as I speak. I own a retail store now in Baton Rouge. And, in a few months, I will be opening my first restaurant in my hometown. I plan to continue that model with both opportunities.
What do you enjoy most about giving speeches? I enjoy relating to kids, letting them know everything is possible if they want it.
How do you prepare for these speaking engagements? I usually get an index card and write down the main topics. From there everything else comes from the heart.
Do you enjoy the interaction with clients, signing autographs and taking pictures? That's an easy question. Signing autographs and taking pictures comes with the territory, and I always feel free to sign or take a snapshot with anyone. The fans are the reason why the sport is the way it is today.
How many private appearances and/or speeches will you do a year? I probably do 10 to 15 a year. I think I could do more, but I stay very busy with my foundation and my off-field businesses.
Are your speeches more motivational, spiritual or comical? I use a piece of all of them in my speeches. I grew up in a Christian home: both of my parents were ordained ministers. The motivational part comes from my ups and downs of life. Being comical is a part of me—I like to make people laugh in any way that I can.
How do you come up with your speech topics? I usually just talk about my personal life and the things that got me where I am today. I remember when I was in college: I went to school, played football, took care of my mom (she lived with me during college for three years) and I carried two jobs in the summer while majoring in Engineering at LSU. I have a lot to talk about. That's what motivates me about speaking to others.
INCENTIVE online columnist Robert Tuchman is president of celebrity marketing firm TSE Sports & Entertainment (www.tseworld.com).
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