Dr. Stan Harris – On the Move!
Electronic media campaigns! recently shared a few moments with Dr. Stan Harris as part of OnTheMove! interview series. Dr. Stan Harris is an Entrepreneur, Certified Behavior Consultant, 10th Degree Black Belt, and a member of the “Black Belt Hall of Fame.” Earlier this month, he was inducted into the “Motivational Speaker Hall of Fame.” He now occupies his seat among Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Stephen Covey and other greats. In 1993, he earned his Doctor of Divinity from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School. He is currently working toward his Ph.D. in Naturopathic Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Joel Robbins, College of Natural Health, Oklahoma.
Dr. Stan’s oral presentations often include attention-sustaining karate demonstrations in which he breaks bricks, blocks of wood, and lies on a bed of like 100-pound nails. of bricks are smashed into his chest with a sledgehammer. He has shared the platform with Jim Rohn, Les Brown, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, Doug Firebaugh, Barry Donaldson, Jerry D. Rhino Clark, and others. To date, Dr. Stan has spoken in 49 states and 17 countries.
“Dr. Stan Harris has that unmistakable charisma that puts him in the winner’s circle. His unforgettable presentations dramatically demonstrate how to break through mental barriers to achieve peak performance in the real world. I have shared the platform with him and been among their audiences. Their reviews always mention the same four words: life changing, smashing, success!”
-Dr. Denis Waitley, author of “The Psychology of Winning”
We asked this two-time hall of famer to share more about his life, his current projects, his visions and, of course, his spectacular and inspirational martial arts oral presentations.
EMC! Good morning, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Dr Stan Harris: The pleasure is mine.
CEM!: Could you tell us more about your background?
Dr Stan Harris: I have two brothers and two half brothers. We grew up in a single parent household in the roach and mouse infested projects (Smith Holmes) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I remember waking up to giant water bugs crawling across my face! At age 6, while playing on a playground, a gang of teenagers jumped, hit, tarred and feathered. They left me in a field. Someone found me and took me to the hospital before I suffocated from the thick tar. I grew up wondering if anyone cared, I never heard the words “I love you”. I was neglected, confused, and abused, verbally, emotionally, sexually, and physically. I was hit on my back and head with a steel folding chair, as well as a choker chain (for a dog), by my mom’s boyfriend, unbeknownst to her of course.
CEM!: You are a survivor. How did you get interested in Karate and Martial Arts in general?
Dr Stan Harris: One day my mother won a free month of Karate Lessons (ShotoKan Karate). She liked it so much that she kept training for quite some time. One day she got into a fight with her boyfriend because she had physically abused me. She knocked him out with a side kick to the jaw. My brothers and I looked at each other in surprise. We went to the man on the ground who was unconscious and we said, “Whatever you do, don’t mess with my mom anymore, because my mom is bad, man; my mom is bad.” I was so impressed by the event that I began training in Isshin’ryu Karate with the hope of learning how to protect myself and one day become a champion and get the attention that I craved as a child.
CEM!: Would you say that realizing that you can empower yourself using the principles of martial arts ignited your desire to help others become empowered in your daily life?
Dr Stan Harris: Yes. They (the instructors) taught us to have self-discipline, before learning self-defense. We learned that the greatest of all victories is the conquest of oneself. I wanted to share with others my newfound power to channel my anger and frustration into something productive. I also wanted others to experience the new, enhanced self-image that comes with self-control and achievement.
CEM!: Dr. Stan, what are the visions you concoct in your mind that drive your desire to contribute?
Dr Stan Harris: I see myself supporting 100 missionaries. I always wanted to be the role model for others, which I personally never had. The power of expectation and belief from someone we respect and admire can unleash large amounts of power that have been held back. I also envision continuing to present health seminars across the country (USA).
CEM!: I hear the passion in your words, Dr. Stan. Most people who know you, and even those who are only remotely familiar with you and your work, describe you using the word “passionate.” Is passion something you work to manifest on a daily basis?
Dr Stan Harris: Definitely. A woman met me at the airport and said, “Whatever you do, I want to be a part of it because you exude so much compassion and power.” Like John Westly of old, I just burn and people come to watch me burn!
CEM!: Who has the council benefited the most from?
Dr Stan Harris: In addition to the Bible, William E. Bailey, who also mentored Jim Rohn, Les Brown, and others.
CEM!: His oral presentations often include a dynamic martial arts demonstration. Amazingly, you break 22 inches of bricks with your bare hands using incredible speed and power. Can you describe the impact it has on your audiences?
Dr Stan Harris: Because our generation is very visual. I like to use visual aids that they can relate to, to add extra impact to my message. People are often spellbound, and they truly understand that we can overcome our limitations, no matter how hard or difficult it is!
CEM!: That certainly paints a picture. Can you give us some examples that show how people’s lives changed for the better after watching your brick-breaking presentation?
Dr Stan Harris: This is what Rita Graves from Texas had to say:
“Dr. Stan Harris was so inspiring! He touched my heart tremendously. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to meet him and hear him speak in person. Wow…we could see all his enthusiasm! This event inspired each and every guest. It filled our hearts, minds and souls with inspiration, motivation, empowerment, knowledge, strength and success. Now we can keep moving forward in a positive way and know that we are all worthy of the great things to come.” .
Ned Rae said: “Dr. Stan Harris, who taught us all how to master our fears and have a life-changing ‘breakthrough’ when we all tore our 1” boards apart with our fear written on the back. See everyone from 8 years old. 81 year olds queue up to take their first step beyond their fears by breaking that board with their hand, a true “breakthrough” well worth the cost of attendance.”
Cheryl Rae, the CEO of her company, informed her CEO:
“The highlight for me was Dr. Stan’s ‘breakthrough’ performance. I have to admit, when he handed everyone a board, I wasn’t too sure I could break it. It was a tough board! But when I saw a kid from 8 year old did it and 81 year old Maggie did it… that was it. If they could, so could I. And with Dr. Stan coaching me, I did it on the first try! It was so easy and no nothing happened to my hand, it was an amazing moment for me. I get emotional just thinking about it.”
CEM!: Dr. Stan, it’s no surprise that your workshops and presentations are in such high demand. Tell us; Who helps you manage the many daily opportunities and invitations to speak that keep coming your way?
Dr Stan Harris: Currently, I do everything myself; but i will have to get someone to take care of that for me because the demands are too great. I try to keep a personal touch as much as possible.
CEM!: What are some of the projects you are working on right now?
Dr. Stan Harris: Cynthia Kersey (author of the #1 bestselling Unstoppable and the most recent Unstoppable Women) and I are co-authors of a book called Celebrating Unstoppable African Americans. In addition, Jack Zufelt, author of another #1 bestseller, The DNA of Success, and I are producing a CD series titled How to Become a Black Belt in Your Business.” Then there’s MyOpp (My Online Portfolio Presentation). You see, residual income is great, but multiple streams of passive residual income are the best. MyOpp combines the teachings of the past, the techniques of the present, and the technology of the future to ensure success. Their mission includes: “Empowering Entrepreneurs with workable solutions, systems, and technologies that help leverage the Internet to create multiple streams of residual income.” When I would reach the top of three companies simultaneously, people would ask me, “How do you do it? Do you have to have a special gift or skill?” Well, this new system allows people who only know how to point and click to succeed. MyOpp is the Walmart; the Microsoft of marketing. Anyone interested can check out my demo site. [http://www.myopp.com/shdemo]
CEM!: They all sound fascinating. And finally, what are two of your most precious assets and why?
Dr Stan Harris: A; my faith – keeps me going. Without the Lord, he would be nothing and could do nothing of real value. And two, to be true to myself because I can look in the mirror every day. I would like what, and who do I see. It also gives me personal power with others.
CEM!: Thank you, Dr Stan Harris. You have to be one of the busiest and happiest people in the world!
Dr Stan Harris: It was an honor for me to participate. Can I leave you with my Attitude Adjuster?
EMC! We would be honored.
Dr Stan Harris:
All around me there are limitless opportunities,
Before me there are infinite possibilities,
Within me is He who has infinite power,
Behind me, who cares?
I’m succeeding in a big way and it’s about to get better, look out world here I come!
Electronic media campaigns! Interviewed Dr. Stan Harris in September 2005. He can be reached at [email protected] More information can be obtained from his website: http://www.drstanharris.com/ and by calling: 1.717.275.3508
For more information on OnTheMove! series, please contact [email protected] or http://www.franbriggs.com
