A few years ago, after reading hundreds of applications and messages from people wanting to be speakers on my team, I saw something great in Matt Bennett. He grew up in Compton, California, where he had a rough childhood, saw his father get shot, slept in motels, ate food out of coolers, earned 1.28 GPA, and he lost his brother from senseless violence. However, Matt didn't let the despair or darkness or death stop him. He fought through the tears and pain to pick up his grades. He graduated from high school with a 3.5 GPA. He went to Cal Poly Pomona and earned his bachelor's degree in Marketing, and became the first man in his family to graduate from college.
Throughout college, he spoke at hundreds of high schools to students about overcoming obstacles and going to college. After graduation, he worked as a case manager for Social Services. On weekends, he taught in prisons. He was investing his life into others. Matt had the kind of heart and experience that I needed on my team, so I asked him to join my team as my apprentice and as a speaker.
When he first moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta to join me, I told him, "Matt, my goal is for you to win. My goal is for you to be completely free- free emotionally, spiritually, professionally, and financially. Ultimately, I want to teach you how to be free from needing me. I want you to be able to stand on your own. I don't want you to assist me forever. The ultimate goal is for you to go out into the world and help as many people as possible with your message, with or without me."
For the last three years, Matt and I have spent a LOT of time together on the road for work, up to 300 days a year.
Yesterday, all his hard work paid off! He has been so successful as a speaker that, yesterday, he bought an apartment building! Not a house, but an apartment building!!! Wow!
After he closed on his building, my family (my wife and 3 kids) and I took Matt out to dinner to celebrate his accomplishment. With tears in our eyes, I reminded him: "Matt, when we began this journey together, I told you that my goal was to help you to be free. Well, today is THAT day. You don't need my help anymore. You are free! I am so proud of you!"
After reflecting on the journey, he said on Facebook today, "What a journey my life has been! I slept on floors, in motels, I couched-surfed, slept in my bucket (car) some nights. I don’t ever have to do any of that again! I’m just grateful, my heart is glad. I’ve had to fight through so much, I’ve been knocked down so many times, but I kept pushing. It doesn’t matter how hard you’ve had it. It doesn’t matter where you’re from! It doesn’t matter how many doors have been slammed and double-bolted in your face! It doesn’t matter who your family is. It doesn’t matter how many times your dreams have been delayed. It is not a denial!!!! You can do it! I am living proof. I'm ready a for a BIG 2019!!!...I am forever grateful for my dear friends, Manny and Alice Scott, for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime, and for their genuine love and support, and for being examples of what happens when you trust God and work hard. I'm a better man because of you."
Matt won! He doesn't need my help anymore! Mission accomplished! All I wanted was for him to be free!
I feel the same way about anyone I take under my wing as a speaker. I want you to be free!
If you have ever thought about becoming a speaker, or have wondered about how to grow as a speaker, then check your schedule to see if you can join me next Thursday, 12/27/18 at 8PM (EST) where I will be teaching people LIVE for FREE about the speaker training process I taught Matt.
Again, it will be a FREE, LIVE Webinar. Only 100 e-Seats are available, and it's first come, first served. Reserve your spot today at the following link: https://mannyscottcf.com/speak...
Remember, Even on Your Worst Day You can Be Someone's Best Hope!
Manny