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I have a good friend named Joe Martin who resides in Tallahassee, Florida. Joe and I first met a few years ago when we were speaking at the same conference. When I first met Joe, there was something that I immediately liked about him. However, I couldn't quite figure out what it was. After the presentations, I invited him to dinner. I figured we would spend an hour or so eating and talking. The more Joe talked, the more I wanted to listen and find out more about him. Intrigued by stories of people who have overcome tremendous challenges in order to create a successful life. What Joe needed to overcome amazed me.

Joe grew up in Liberty City in Miami, FL which is among the worst inner city ghettos in the United States. He said, “James, you wouldn't believe some of the things I witnessed growing up as a teenager like drugs, prostitution and people killing people.” Joe said that on one occasion he called his mother on the phone, but he couldn't hear her because of a lot of loud noise in the background, which he thought was from the television. So he asked his mother if she'd turn the volume down. She responded by saying that she didn't have on the television. With amazement, Joe asked, “Well, what’s all that noise in the background?” Surprisingly, Joe’s mother responded, “Oh, people are just out back shooting at one another!”

Joe said that when he heard this he immediately new he had to do something to help get his mother, his sister and himself out of that ghetto, or he knew they could be killed. So he changed his attitude and decided to make a commitment to educate himself. Joe said, “It was not a big change; I just changed my attitude and looked at myself and my future differently.” When Joe did that he found out that his grades in school improved. They improved enough to get him through high school and into college.

In college, Joe continued to keep his attitude tuned into the right station, and, as a result, his grades and overall success improved tremendously. As a matter of fact, he went on to graduate with a 3.8 grade point average (GPA) and status as the top student in his class. Joe then went on to become the youngest person in the history of the state of Florida to become a college professor. He accomplished it by age 24. Currently, Joe’s a professor at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL where he inspires students to overcome challenges and pursue their purpose by teaching them his core life philosophy:

“It does not matter where you start in life. It matters where you decide to finish.” -Joe Martin

Today Joe Martin is one of the most requested motivational speakers in the educational system. He is successful, ambitious, and brilliant. He is one of the best role models for young people who live in conditions that are less than favorable. He is a living model of showing people that although you cannot change your past, you can create your own future.

“Sometimes the best fighting position is on your knees; we call it prayer - the ultimate in hand to hand combat.” -Joe Martin

James Malinchak, Showcased on ABC’s Hit Television Show Secret Millionaire, is known as by many professionals as the World’s #1 Big Money Speaker Coach and Trainer. For Totally free Video Trainings regarding how to receive money to speak and the ways to be a public speaking skills, visit www.BigMoneySpeaker.com.