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Try till you die

>> Motivational speaker taps into pride and passion for client success

by CHRIS BARRY

Photo by Jason Felker

Name: Stephen Libman

Nickname: Rollo

Age: 40

Occupation: Motivational speaker

Remuneration: “The money is good—for sure.”

Cologne: Obsession by Calvin Klein

Bio: This modest and charming West Island windbag has been conducting private motivational seminars for over 15 years now. A particularly successful player in the travel business, Stephen found his natural gift for public speaking was continually being put to good use at the countless keynotes, presentations and training sessions he was constantly being asked to deliver to others in his industry. Recognizing his talent, he soon began contacting other motivational speakers like Tony Robbins to see what was involved in turning pro, and, after studying the traits of several famous über-achievers, finally decided he was ready to take the plunge. Now hired primarily by large corporations, various organizations and the odd call centre eager to motivate their lacklustre sales staff, this former “nearly pro” football player says he probably does “what other people call work” about 100 hours a week. “It’s always been my passion to help others improve the quality of their lives and to achieve the things they have yet to achieve.”

The primary element which motivates people to get out of bed in the morning: To realize their goals and the pride of achievement which comes along with being able to do something that was once a challenge.

Is fear a good motivator? Not especially. “That’s what I call caveman motivation.”

Does he ever have trouble motivating himself to go speak at yet another one of his seminars? “Sometimes, certainly.” But only until the inevitable “adrenaline rush” of public speaking kicks in.

A couple of things he does not address in his seminars: “I never talk about personal weight problems or smoking simply because I am an ex-smoker and I’m somewhat overweight. I’d rather not preach about something that I don’t have a handle on myself. There are experts in these areas and I would prefer people see them instead, rather than come get some esoteric concept from a speaking guru.”

Could Tony Robbins possibly be the messiah? “Of course not. There is no such thing as a motivational speaker who is any more or less screwed up than the people he is talking to.”

Does he own a van down by the river that he can go live in just in case his fortunes take an unexpected turn for the worst? No.

One of his many hobbies: Diving with sharks and dolphins.

The creatures he is most wary of while scuba diving: Wild dolphins—unless the sharks in the area are really hungry. He had three ribs broken by a motivated and playful dolphin off the coast of Bahamas not that long ago.

Childhood ambition: To become a forest ranger.

Last book read: Dianetics, by L. Ron Hubbard. “But I’m not a Scientologist.”

Does he ever smoke pot? No.

Television preferences: The West Wing, Third Rock From the Sun, Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Words of wisdom: “No matter what happens, keep trying.”

Two words he would like to see written on his tombstone: “He tried.” :

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca