From Church Planter to Success Icon: The Chris Widener Story

Introduction

In this episode of our podcast, Walt Bayliss welcomes the legendary Chris Widener, a motivational speaker, bestselling author, and influential success coach. With a career spanning over three decades, Chris shares insights from his journey, collaboration with iconic figures like Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar, and his ventures into business and nonprofit work. This summary highlights the key moments from their engaging conversation.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Chris Widener's journey began as a church planter from 1988 to 2002, during which he founded three churches. His transition into motivational speaking and writing was driven by a need to support his family. Starting with youth speaking, Chris eventually moved into time management and leadership training, culminating in his decision to pursue writing and speaking full-time in 2002.

Collaboration with Jim Rohn

Chris's collaboration with Jim Rohn was a pivotal moment in his career. Initially ghostwriting for John Maxwell, Chris's reputation as a talented writer led to an opportunity with Jim Rohn. Together, they created the "Jim Rohn One Year Success Plan" and co-authored the book "12 Pillars." This partnership allowed Chris to integrate Rohn's principles into a compelling narrative, making "12 Pillars" his bestselling book.

Success in Writing and Speaking

Chris's success extended beyond his collaboration with Rohn. His self-published book "The Angel Inside" sold 120,000 copies before being picked up by Random House, achieving high rankings on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists. His ability to think big and create impactful content has been a cornerstone of his career.

Lessons in Personal Development

Chris emphasizes the transformative power of personal development material. He believes that success is simple yet challenging and requires consistent effort and application of learned principles. Drawing inspiration from figures like GK Chesterton, Chris underscores the importance of attempting difficult tasks rather than avoiding them.

Challenges and Business Ventures

Despite his success, Chris acknowledges the challenges of dealing with people in business. He shares candid insights into his experiences with unreliable partners and the importance of contracts. Chris's business acumen is further exemplified by his ventures into audio programs and health sharing organizations.

Health Sharing Organization: ShareRight.org

One of Chris's latest projects is ShareRight.org, a nonprofit health sharing organization that offers affordable healthcare solutions. Inspired by his personal experiences with his father's untimely death and lack of life insurance, Chris aims to provide financial relief to families through this innovative platform.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs

Chris imparts several valuable lessons for entrepreneurs:

• Think Big: It's just as easy to aim high as it is to aim low.

• Build Relationships: Success in business often hinges on personal connections.

• Be Original: Authenticity is crucial; be a voice, not an echo.

• Get Contracts: Formal agreements prevent misunderstandings and financial losses.

Conclusion

Chris Widener's journey from a church planter to a globally recognized success coach and author is a testament to the power of personal development, ambition, and resilience. His story offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to achieve greatness in their personal and professional lives.