Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Mark Brown immigrated to the United States at the age of 18 with only $40 in his pocket and a dream for a better life. He spent 15 years working as a computer analyst before choosing to develop his public speaking skills, defeating 20,000 contestants from 14 countries to win the illustrious Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Southwestern Consulting's Ron Alford sits down with Mark to cover his upbringing in Jamaica, his unique path to success in the United States, the importance of choosing the right words, and the role faith, both in yourself and others, plays in business and leadership.  And as an added treat, Mark uses that championship voice to serenade listeners with his best renditions of Harry Belafonte and Bette Midler classics!

Mark has earned the coveted designation of Certified Speaking Professional from the National Speakers Association, and he has become one of the most popular inspirational speakers in the world.  He is an expert in helping people overcome their fears to reach their maximum potential, he uses a unique combination of humor and poignancy to reach the most diverse audiences, and he continually inspires people from all walks of life to achieve ever-increasing levels of excellence.

Mark has been featured in the New York Times, Men’s Health, on CNN Headline News, and even had his own PBS Special, ‘Words Count – with Mark Brown,’ which was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Mark also serves as the Convention Announcer/Voice of God at the Toastmasters International Convention each year. He has shared his insights across a wide variety of industries, and to major corporations including: The South African Reserve Bank, Sprint, Sheraton, Principal Financial Group, Prudential, Trane, and Cathay Pacific Airways. Additionally, Mark has been a guest lecturer at premier academic institutions such as Penn State University, Xavier University and The University of Florida.

He is the co-author of the book The Speaker’s Edge, and co-host of the weekly Unforgettable Presentations Podcast. He lives in Lizella, GA, USA, with Andrea, his wife of more than 35 years.

Learn more at MarkBrownSpeaks.com.

For continued listening, you can check out Mark's previous appearance on episode 287 of The Action Catalyst by clicking here.

The Action Catalyst is presented by the Southwestern Family of Companies. With each episode, the podcast features some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Learn more at TheActionCatalyst.com, subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts, and be sure to leave a rating and review!

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