10-Things about Jonathan
1. Jonathan is a former teacher and once taught kindergarten for one year.
2. Jonathan's first speaking gig was for a $12 money order
3. Jonathan goes to Bikram Yoga everyday, sometimes twice a day.
4. Jonathan's passion is working with kids.
5. Fall is his favorite time of year.
6. Jonathan has read over 300 books in the area of personal and professional development.
7. Jonathan loves spending time with his kids
8. Jonathan has the ability to remember thousands of quotes.
9. Loves his wife Karen unconditionally.
10. Once I accidentally stalked, "I mean ran into", Wayne Dyer
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See this "Off The Wall" interview with Jonathan! Find out how he can use these experiences to relate to your audience!
Interview with Jonathan
The year that I was scheduled to complete my student teaching the kindergarten teacher that I was paired with was out ill the entire school year with a serious illness. The Principal thought that I could handle it so she decided to roll the dice. That year was one of the most interesting years of my life as an educator. Can you imagine 34 five year olds from 8:30 - 11:00 and then another 30 in the afternoon from noon - 3:30?
When I started my speaking business after being downsized from the Detroit Public Schools I was desperate to show the world (family and friends), that I could make it.I began speaking every where from barbershops, bars, backyard
party' s and half way houses. I must have passed out over 500
business cards trying to persuade anyone to book me to speak
for them. After several long months I received a call from a
mother who caught my act at a local barbershop. She told me she had a $12.00 money order left over from paying her bills that month. She wanted to know if I would be willing to speak at her son's graduation, and of course I said YES!!!!
the years I've worked out like a manic and in the process I almost destroyed the joints in my knees, elbows and lower back. At one time I could bench press 405 lbs (only one rep) but to be 6 ft and 220 lbs, that is an incredible feat. With Bikram Yoga it's not about brute force, testosterone, ego or demand. It's all about becoming one with the practice, going to your edge and listening to your body.
I've always loved mentoring and working with kids. Over the years, I've mentored over 100 kids and I've helped send over 20 of them off to college. I believe in giving back especially
after so much has been given to me. Thomas Thackery said
"Take a good look in the mirror, a mirror gives a reflection of it's own
true self, when I see you, I see me." Every kid that I work with I
see myself in them and that's why it's so important to me that I do
my small part to preserve the future.
I remember as a youngster I used to love to get in from school and immediately go outside and play in the leaves. The colors to me were so beautiful and the smell of the leaves were intoxicating. Fall weather represented to me the time when everything slowed down and people became nicer and friendlier. It's amazing that even as an adult those memories of creating piles of leaves and diving into them provide me with a great sense of calmness.
The amazing thing about the number of books that I've read is throughout
high school I only read two books cover to cover. Now I read a minimum
of two books every two weeks. I guess you can't judge a book by it's
cover. Someone once asked me how do you become an expert at
something and I replied, read as much as you can about the subject and
then read some more. (Simple)
I cannot explain the joy of Fatherhood. I have three incredible kids and because of my flexible schedule I have the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with all of them. They are amazing and they bring me so much joy to my heard and should. Watching them grow and being there to see them at their amazing moments has changed my life from the inside out. The funny story that I
Every since I was little I've had this incredible memory and freakish
capacity to store information in my brain. When I decided to become
a Professional Speaker, I challenged myself to memorize ten quotes
a day, for a year, and at the end of the year I had over 1000 quotes
memorized. Don't ask me how, it's something I can just do!
Words cannot encompass the symbolism of the incredible WIFE that God has blessed me with. Karen is the rock of our family and my very own personal motivator. My love for her is deep and it is anchored in our commitment to each other and to our family. She is the perfect balance to my effervescent personality and she is the match that lights my flame. The mother of my children, the keeper of my heart, the protector of our love and the completion of my strength. I love you!
Funny Story: I had the opportunity to hear Wayne Dyer at a hay House
convention in Tampa Florida. This guy did a 3-1/2 lector with no notes,
no water and barefoot, in a room packed with over 10,000 people Of
course after he completed his lecture it was impossible to speak to him
so I decided to (create) the right opportunity to strike up a conversation.
3-hours later and 15 blocks later I found the perfect change to strike.
He was staying at a popular hotel and when his handler started walking
to the entrance a beautiful red Ferrari pulled up and a gorgeous lady jumped out with a little bitty dress on and she appeared to be a tad bit intoxicated. At the time I just happened to be a few feet from him and he looked over at me, and said "Wow, she's gorgeous!", and a conversation with the Father of Motivation was born.
Bikram Yoga has become my new obsession, 26 postures in 90 minutes completed in a room that is 105 degrees,(if we're lucky). Focus, concentration, breathing, health benefits, ridiculous sweating, stretching and total one with self. I have never experienced any type of physical activity that even comes close and I've done it ALL. Weight training, cross training, jogging, running, hiking, karate, Billy Blanks, the whole nine yards. Over
I have to admit last year I was tempted to dive into my neighbors freshly raked pile, but I resisted. (This time!)
share with people, is how my friends who see me with the kids and the wife will say, "Man I couldn't imagine you with kids and a wife", and I reply, "I know, I've gone from Gucci to Gerber!!"
