Eric Bailey - Biography
“The ability to see yourself in the future begins with the realization that the future starts in the present.” – Eric Bailey
Eric Bailey’s guiding principle can be summed up in a single word – vision.
Whether creating a successful business or the life of your dreams, the outcome you truly desire is not something that happens magically. You need a clear picture of what it is and what it looks like. Eric has helped over 1.5 million people craft visions for themselves and their organizations and manifest these into reality!
Eric is one of the world’s foremost speakers on the subject of motivation and vision. Drawing on successful careers in professional sport, executive management, sales, and as a husband and father, Eric is the spark that can ignite the burning passion that dwells in each of us. He draws on his unique life experiences and a wealth of knowledge in the field of personal and organizational excellence to create powerful and inspiring keynotes that leave audiences in awe. With presence and personality, he commands a room like few can.
His message has been delivered across media channels. Eric hosted an Australian radio call-in show for 3 years and also wrote a weekly newspaper column called Body and Soul, both on the subject of health and motivation. He has appeared on television as an expert in the field of personal development as well as an ex-pro athlete.
Eric holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, conferred by the National Speakers Association and the International Federation for Professional Speakers. The CSP designation has strict standards and a rigorous five-year certification process during which speakers must demonstrate both experience and expertise. Less than 10 percent of all speakers worldwide have this certification and it represents one of the highest achievements possible for a speaking professional.
Eric continues to inspire audiences around the world with his story and the incredible power of vision. He has delivered talks and training sessions to many multinational corporations, including Nike, McDonald’s, Ford, Nissan, Reebok, Toshiba and Canon, to name a few. He has also brought uplifting, youth-focused messages to students at hundreds of schools around the world.
Let the visionary power and teachings of Eric Bailey transform your next meeting or conference into something extraordinary!
The Story of a Vision
The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, and this you will become. – James Allen
On the rainy evening of November 26, 1960 in South Central Los Angeles, Eric Bailey came into the world. His story, one of success against overwhelming odds, was just beginning.
At birth Eric was identified as having Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, a congenital deformity of the knee joint. Unwilling and unable to handle the responsibility of caring for a disabled newborn, Eric’s biological parents gave him up for adoption.
Growing up in South Central L.A. Eric was forced to confront the significant barriers around him. Abject poverty, crime, drug abuse, inadequate medical care, a flawed educational system and negative peer influence were problems he routinely faced. Many told him of an inevitable fate: gang violence, drug addiction, prison or death. The message was simple – You are destined to be an uneducated, disabled black man who will never amount to anything.
They were wrong.
Eric, even from an early age, had an innate visionary ability. Supported by his adoptive parents he began to craft a vision for himself far exceeding the minimal expectations foisted upon him. His parents constantly reminded him that, “Life stops when you stop!”
He realized that true vision meant transforming your perspective on the challenges in your life. He refused to let his challenges become barriers. They were going to be lessons to learn from. Weights to train with. Not something to keep him down. Something to make him stronger.
In spite of his knee disease, which doctors said would rule out any athletic endeavors in life, Eric was determined to play basketball. He made his high school team, training for up to 35 hours a week. His diligence was rewarded and by the time he graduated he had earned numerous awards, including Player of the Year, All CIF (California Interscholastic Federation), All City and Most Valuable Player.
In class, however, Eric struggled. Initial rejection by all of the colleges he applied to was something he took in stride. Undeterred, Eric went to a junior college to improve his grades and ended up obtaining a scholarship to Boise State University.
Though passed over in the NBA draft he was determined to play pro basketball and headed off to Australia for a career in the NBL. Eric went on to a successful pro career, playing for over a decade with the Hobart Devils, Melbourne Tigers, Gippsland Lakers, Gold Coast Rollers, and Southern District Spartans.
After retiring from his basketball career Eric went on to have a successful career as a top salesman with a number of companies. He has organized children’s charity events and hosted celebrity basketball tournaments alongside the likes of ex-NBA phenomenon Michael Jordan and movie star Jamie Foxx. Eric also hosted an on-air radio show for 3 years and wrote a weekly newspaper column on the topics of health and motivation.
Ultimately, a desire to share his life experience and insights into the importance of vision led Eric to begin his career as a professional speaker. Since 1996 he has spoken to over 1.5 million people around the world on how to achieve personal and organizational excellence.
Eric continues to inspire audiences around the world with his story and the incredible power of vision.
Environmental Commitment
As an international speaker who frequently uses air travel, Eric Bailey is committed to taking action that will minimize his carbon footprint. For every speaking engagement where Eric is required to take a flight, he purchases carbon emission offsets. The carbon offset credits are then used to finance investments in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
Eric Bailey knows that having vision means looking ahead to the world that we are leaving future generations. Investment in renewable energy sources now means a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future for our children.
