Vet uses skills honed in Special Forces to motivate clients.
 

When Terry Johnson retired from a 20-year military career in 2000, the ex-Green Beret hit the streets selling everything from life insurance and supplements to a variety of lotions to earn a paycheck while most of his army buddies headed back to school.

The door-to-door sales jobs didn’t pay much but the experience gave Johnson an opportunity to hone his people skills, realize his passion for helping others and armed him with the courage to start a business as a motivational speaker and trainer.

His military background, which began in 1980 and included service as a drill sergeant (1984-1986), Ranger (1986-1988) and Special Forces (1989-2000), gave Johnson the tools to be able to organize and train large groups of people, write detailed reports and serve as a positive influence.

Johnson, who published an eight-step life motivation guide called "Train Like You Fight" and in March released a new book titled "Rules of Engagement," explored ways he could use his skills to write books, training outlines and business proposals for clients eager to learn success tips.

In 2002, the Mississippi entrepreneur launched Champions Within, a motivational speaker firm

that offers everything from one-hour seminars on organization tips and goal-setting to 40-hour leadership training courses for school districts, churches and corporate clients.

The business has four employees and continues to earn money despite the economy.

After he volunteered to speak in a Fayetteville, N.C.,kindergarten class, Johnson expanded the company’sleadership training services to include school children. "A strange thing happened while I was volunteering at the school," said Johnson. "I found my passion for helping kids."

"The schools fund our programs with Safe & Drug Free funds or Title IV funds. Many of the schools that operate

 in impoverished areas normally get the bulk of these funds," he said. "This allows my team to work in what I call the combat zone. We love going to these tough communities and delivering a first-class product to empower the youth for greatness."

His character education program targets kids in fourth grade and higher and offers administrators, teachers and staff development training, as well as corporate leadership development services.

"To my knowledge, no one in the country is conducting a character education program like ours."

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