14 Best Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth

Experts estimate the typical person has between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day.

Surprise, 4 in 5 of those thoughts are negative, and 19 out of 20 are repetitive. And that was before 2020.

If you’re like most, your subconscious mind repeats a constant loop of pessimism. No wonder it’s so hard to get and stay motivated.

I talk a lot about setting goals and achieving them through habit and doses of inspiration. But who can you turn to for that instant jolt of motivation? Sometimes you need that killer quote or speech that reshapes your thinking.

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth

When I was at my low point, as teenager close to dropping out, I had few role models or positive influences. Instead I had a long list of critics eager to stymie my growth. Have you been there? often you have to look beyond your circle for that optimistic, hopeful message. 

Good news: the Internet has made it easier than ever to find motivational speakers and influencers to inspire your personal growth. Here are my favorites – some familiar, some new. I hope that you find their quotes inspiring and delve deeper into their work:

1. Tony Robbins

 “Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers. “

Tony Robbins is the most famous motivational speaker in the world. His books, videos, and seminars have had a substantial effect on the lives of millions. His 1992 book, Awaken the Giant Within, helped me turn own my life around. 

Tony’s teachings range from business proficiency to relationships to wealth attainment. Podcast guests include venerable investor Ray Dalio and legendary basketball coach John Wooden. Over the years, Tony’s shifted his focus to the business realm, interviewing top executives and entrepreneurs. 

Are you looking for personal finance advice? I recommend reading his Money: Master the Game, or Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook.

2. Mel Robbins 

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Mel Robbins

 You Are One Decision Away from a Completely Different Life”  

Mel Robbins started her career as a defense lawyer and later became a CNN legal analyst. Her motivational speaking career took off after she wrote her first book and delivered a viral TEDx Talk, “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over.” 

Her trademark ‘Five-Second Rule’ (not to be confused for the one about dropping food on the floor). It’s a simple mental trick that short-circuits fear by acting in five seconds or less. She calls this the ‘push moment’ where we can push ourselves to do the uncomfortable.

Her newest work is centered on helping women get ahead in the workplace. Mel is one of the most popular female motivational speakers in the world.

 

3. Gary Vaynerchuk

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Gary Vaynerchuk

 “Whether you’re 9 or 90, stop trying to fix the things you’re bad at, and focus on the things you’re good at.” 

Gary Vaynerchuk is a Belarusian-American author, speaker, and internet personality. His roots are in entrepreneurship, where he grew his family’s wine business from $3 million to $60 million. He now runs VaynerMedia, a successful digital agency.

Gary brings a brash, high-energy style that feels very authentic and engaging. His raw, unfiltered life advice focuses on work and marketing your brand. His podcasts include interviews with accomplished entrepreneurs and coaching sessions with aspiring ones. It also features recorded excerpts from his motivational talks given throughout the world. Gary often branches out into the creative world to interview inspiring artists, musicians, and athletes.

Gary implores his listeners to use the Internet to turn their passions into businesses. If you’re interested in side-hustles or social media marketing, I recommend checking out his books and podcast.

  

4. Tim Ferriss

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Tim Ferriss

 “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.” 

Tim Ferriss is the bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek and Tools for Titans. He has been an entrepreneur, angel investor, and advisor to high-profile tech companies. A self-described “human guinea pig,” Tim’s approach is to try many things in life and learn from the best.

Tim’s podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, is perfect for those interested in financial freedom, personal productivity, and health advice. His guests offer diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In recent years, he’s featured the likes of actor Terry Crews, media mogul Arianna Huffington, and billionaire businessperson Richard Branson.

One of Tim’s clear strengths is the unique and insightful questions that he prepares. He researches his guests and extracts the best nuggets of wisdom out of them, to the benefit of his audience.

5. Lewis Howes

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Lewis Howes

 “Your job is to create a vision that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning.”

Lewis Howes is a former Olympic athlete, and professional arena league football player turned bestselling author and lifestyle entrepreneur. Lewis’s podcast, School of Greatness, teaches small business owners and entrepreneurs on how to achieve success.

Lewis interviewed an impressive list of experts, ranging from OSU coach Urban Meyer to fashion entrepreneur Daymond John. In recent years, he’s interviewed NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and Brene Brown. 

His interviews and content focus on inspiring stories of greatness and how to achieve more by learning from some of the world’s most motivational people.

6. Dave Ramsay

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Dave Ramsay

 “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” 

Dave Ramsay is not best known as a motivational speaker. But he’s inspired millions of people to achieve coveted financial freedom.  Dave is a businessperson and author of over a dozen popular books on personal finance, including the bestselling Total Money Makeover.

His podcast, the Dave Ramsay Show, is all about how to manage and budget your money, get out of debt, and build wealth. The format is a classic radio mix of monologues and live calls from listeners. 

I recommend Dave’s work if you need practical advice on how to invest smart and avoid common financial pitfalls.

7. Joe Rogan

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Joe Rogan

 “I love a success story, but even more than a success story; I like a dude who f***s his life up and gets his life together again story”

Joe Rogan is a comedian, UFC commentator, and former host of Fear Factor. His popular podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, focuses on society and pop culture. But the conversations often bleed into personal development. 

His legendary podcast features lengthy, thought-provoking interviews with some of the brightest minds. Joe has hosted many motivational people and thought leaders, from neuroscientist Sam Harris to astrophysicist Neill deGrasse Tyson.

Like Tim Ferriss, Joe is adept at building trust with his guests and eliciting profound answers from them. I often walk away from his podcasts with fresh thoughts and perspectives.

8. Les Brown

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Les Brown

“The greatest revenge is massive success.”

Les Brown is one of the most prolific motivational speakers in America. He’s known for his stirring quotes and powerful one-liners.

Les came from a low-income household and was dismissed by his teachers as being intellectually disabled. He proved them wrong, later becoming a famous author, media personality, and elected politician. 

Les gives motivational talks to Fortune 500 executives, small businesses, and non-profits.He’s also published books like Live your Dreams and You’ve Got to Be Hungry.

9. Brene Brown 

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Brene Brown

 “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” 

Brene Brown is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Houston. She’s also the best-selling author of books like Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection. Brene is an engaging speaker, as you’ll see in her viral TED Talks and Netflix special. 

What her fans seem to appreciate the most is how she has redefined the notion of courage as being vulnerable. Her ideas have since permeated the worlds of business and leadership.

10. Eric Thomas

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Eric thomas

 “The most important thing is this: To be able at any moment, to sacrifice what you are, for what you will become!” 

Eric Thomas is a motivational speaker and coach. He overcame a tragic upbringing, being born to a teenage single parent, and dropping out of high school. Eric went from homelessness to getting his Ph.D. in education and helping young people break the cycle of negativity and hopelessness. 

Eric’s persuasive speeches went viral on YouTube, propelling him to success as a world-renowned speaker and author.  

 

 11. David Goggins

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - David Goggins

“Suffering is the true test of life.”

David Goggins is an American endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and author. David writes in his memoir, Can’t Hurt Me, how he suffered a traumatic childhood of abuse and bullying. Despite having asthma and a heart condition, David went from being obese to becoming a Navy SEAL. 

David boasted top finishes in some of the world’s toughest ultramarathons and triathlons. David hypothesizes that most people tap into just 40% of their capability — I agree.

 

12. Richard Branson

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Richard Branson

“Don’t be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them, and start again.”

Richard Branson is a business mogul, investor, author, and philanthropist. Richard is famous for his outlandish marketing stunts. He once attempted to hot air balloon around the world and drove a tank down Fifth Avenue in New York City. But his business and philanthropic exploits are just as impressive – pushing green energy, joining world councils to combat global issues, etc. Not known as a motivational speaker per se, there’s a lot to learn from Richard’s unapologetic “live life to the fullest” philosophy. He’s written a series of inspiring books, such as the best-seller Finding My Virginity. He also hosts a blog on the Virgin website.

13. Jocko Willink  

Motivational Speakers that inspire personal growth - Jocko Willink

  “Discipline equals freedom.”  

Jocko Willink’s resume could fill this entire blog post. Jocko was a Navy SEAL who deployed for the Iraq War. His courage in combat earned him a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and rank of Lieutenant Commander. 

He now runs a leadership consulting firm and hosts the popular Jocko Podcast.  He co-authored several bestselling books, including Extreme Ownership, which outlines a leadership approach to business and life.

14. Suze Orman

  “People first, then money, then things.”

Another motivational speaker who focuses on personal financial success, Suze Orman is has written several #1 New York Times bestselling books on wealth creation, early retirement, and more. She also hosted The Suze Orman Show on CNBC television host and is a financial advisor for her self-titled firm. She’s inspired over 25 million readers to strive or financial freedom.


What are some motivational people that inspire you? Send me an email or post in the comments below!

[PS: If you enjoyed this article, then you might find my other writing on performance and human behavior useful. Each week, I share self-improvement tips based on proven scientific research through my free email newsletter.]

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