Episode #570

Turning Adversity Into Purpose

With Lance Cibik

“I’m trying to use stories so the audience can find themselves in the story as it relates to their life, but then extract the lessons learned, the principles to help, to overcome, to move through the process that’s executed, to use adversity as fuel for purpose.”

This week, Grant Baldwin sits down with Lance Cibik, peeling back the curtain on what it really takes to build momentum and establish yourself in the world of public speaking. Lance’s background is a blend of experiences, not just as a speaker but as someone constantly evolving and adapting. Grant drives home the importance of clarity, knowing who you serve and how you help them, then communicating that message with confidence.

Moreover, focus in your messaging is non-negotiable, but it’s not just about what you say; it’s about who you say it to. Both Grant and Lance highlight the necessity of consistent outreach. You can have all the passion in the world, but if your calendar isn’t full, it’s time to revisit your prospecting strategy. Move beyond waiting for gigs to land in your inbox. Instead, get proactive by following up with past clients, checking in on leads, and never underestimate the value of your existing network.

Don’t make the process of getting booked more complicated than it needs to be. Simple shifts like asking for referrals, sending thoughtful follow-ups, and refreshing your pitch can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Ultimately, landing speaking gigs isn’t about luck; it’s about showing up, nurturing relationships, and remembering that every “no” gets you closer to the next “yes.”

You’ll learn:

  • Speaking roles in corporate settings 
  • Using adversity as motivation and keynote themes
  • Translating personal experiences into audience-relevant lessons
  • A four-step process for overcoming adversity
  • Treating speaking as a business
  • Taking messy action, gaining reps, and audience validation
  • Redefining success and mentoring others
  • And much, much more!

“If you find yourself in a situation where you’re looking around and saying how did I get here, I’m stuck, I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. How are you going to respond to that? Number one, be the change. It’s a mindset shift.”

Ready to build a real speaking business?

Take the free Speaker Business Assessment to see exactly where you are and what to do next. 17,000+ speakers have built paid speaking careers with SPEAK in the Age of AI.

About Lance Cibik

Born into difficult circumstances, Lance lost his mom to suicide before his first birthday. He grew up paycheck to paycheck, and by 17 years old, was living on his own.

Despite it all, he became a first-generation college graduate with a degree in Business & Finance, earning the Certified Financial Planner designation.

He spent over 22 years in financial services in consulting, sales, and leadership roles before a life changing car accident took a man’s life and radically reoriented Lance’s path toward purpose.

Today, he is a top keynote speaker, performance coach, and best-selling author dedicated to helping others transform adversity into purpose, impact, success, and fulfillment.

In his free time, Lance enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, volunteering in his community, playing basketball, and lifting weights at the gym.

Episode Resources

Share This Episode 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email
Reddit

Explore Recent Episodes

#595: The Truth About Speaker Bureaus: 3 Things You Need to Hear
“I finally realized I was not paying for a service. I was paying for hope. And hope is not a business strategy.” Welcome back to The Speaker Lab Podcast! Fair warning — host Dan Irvin is ruffling...
#594: Which Type of Stuck Speaker Are You?
“Preparation feels like progress. It’s not.” Welcome back to The Speaker Lab Podcast! After thousands of calls with speakers at every stage, host Dan Irvin has noticed something: it stops...
#593: Why Your Follower Count Isn't Filling Your Calendar
“A speaker with 200 followers and 30 conversations a month is going to out-earn a creator with tens of thousands of followers and zero conversations. Every single time.” Welcome back to The...