Ronnie Doss has spent over a decade building a successful career as a speaker, trainer, and author. For an episode of Kevin & Fred’s Next Level Podcast, I talked to Ronnie about his story and how he got to where he is today.

You might have guessed that there’s no exact path to becoming a professional speaker.

For Ronnie, it started when getting sick during junior year of college led him to take a medical leave of absence and discovering that he was ready to take his life in another direction. Later, after speaking at his father’s funeral, Ronnie was invited to speak at a church. From there, his career in motivating and inspiring others began.

Things didn’t just fall into place. It took hard work, determination, and practice to build the skills that would set him apart from the competition. “Don’t complain about the results you get from the commitment you weren’t willing to make,” Ronnie says in the podcast, while sharing stories about the hours spent practicing talks, including some conversations with a crowd of stuffed animals.

If you’ve never heard Ronnie speak in person, you’re missing out. He’s done leadership trainings and speaking engagements for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, top universities, and even NASA. There’s one “secret” that Ronnie says helps him connect no matter where his career takes him – being present with people by meeting them where they’re at. That’s a lesson that can be used in any industry.

Click to visit Ronnie’s website for more information and to book him for your next event.