Episode #313

Overcoming Adversity

With Chris Ruden

Overcoming adversity is an experience almost everyone has at some point in their lives. Our guest today was faced with this challenge early on and today he shares how doing so led to his speaking career.

Chris Ruden speaks to corporations and non-profits about overcoming adversity and diversity inclusion, especially regarding diabetes. Chris was born with a limb difference, he had most of his hand amputated when he was born. At 19 he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease. That diagnosis was his wake up call to do something, which led him to his current speaking path.

On this edition of The Speaker Lab, we talk about what his speaking business looks like today (including how it shifted as a result of COVID), and he tells the story of how he landed his first $50,000 client.

Join us to hear it all on episode 313 of The Speaker Lab.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW:

  • Why it’s okay to change course when opportunities present themselves.
  • Why becoming a great speaker is not enough to have a successful speaking business.
  • When is opportunity the worst thing that could happen to you?
  • What’s the difference between someone who talks to a crowd and a speaker?
  • How can you change your outreach to increase your fees?
  • How finding your core message will help you narrow your market.
  • Why your job as a speaker isn’t over when you finish your speech.
  • What one question can you ask yourself to help define your message as a speaker?
  • And so much more!

Want to know exactly how to find and book more paid speaking gigs?

Download our 18-page guide to the 6 proven steps you can use to book more paid speaking gigs in 2024!

About Chris Ruden

Episode Resources

Share This Episode 

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Email
Reddit

Explore Recent Episodes

#581: Why Accountability Is the Key to Building Consistent Habits with Adam Gilbert
“Make sure you actually believe you can follow your plan. Because if you don’t feel hopeful, then you’re never going to feel motivated, you’re never going to feel committed, and you’re never going to follow...
#580: How Speakers Can Book Association Opportunities with Erick Rheam
“When you go to these associations’ websites, they don’t have robust staff…it’s not hard to find them. You can directly engage with them and talk to them about an event that’s coming up. You can identify,...
#579: From Free Gigs to Paid Speaking with Dr. Yvette E. Pearson
“Everything [The Speaker Lab] does is very intentional drive, step driven, process driven, and it can fit whatever time that you can give it…So time is less relevant. Consistency is more relevant.” Welcome...