THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MOLD

An Interview With Michael Towers

BY SHEILA FARR

There are some people whose path to freedom is inundated with entanglements, trials, and trap doors. Michael Towers gives new meaning to the phrase, "the comeback kid," as he proves that using your test to become your testimony can impact thousands. He does that each and every day!

I first heard of Michael Towers while I was attending a SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) conference in 2021. I noticed that he was speaking on mental health in the workplace, and since that was a rarely discussed topic, I felt it was imperative that I tune in for his presentation I was just finishing up an anthology about this very topic, so aside from being interesting to me, I was curious about how real the discussion would be.

What I heard nearly blew my eardrums out, knocked my socks off, and made my heart sing all at the same time! His presentation was not only vivid and transparent - it was something that every HR Director on the planet needed to know and hear. Never before had I experienced a more impactful presentation or presenter at a conference. His words were vulnerable, relevant, and made me realize two things: 1) organizations need to do more to ensure mental wellness in the workplace, and 2) I HAD to have this gentleman join our upcoming book project!

His talk that day led me to action. I immediately reached out to our local Mental Health Association to see how I could become involved and I also reached out to Michael with an invitation to join our anthology...and to my delight - he said yes! The rest, as they say, is history!

Best in Business Magazine sat down with him recently to learn more about his mission, his passion for workplace mental wellness, and to see what he's been up to since the release of the International Bestselling book, "Cage Fight: Overcoming the Battles in Your Mind."

Michael Towers, a professional speaker and mental health counselor, is the CEO of Speaking of Your Success, LLC. We asked him to share a little about his work and what he enjoys most about it. "The most rewarding part of my work is helping Human Resource Professionals serve and care for their people. Because they are wired to pour so much of their heart, time, and energy into their coworkers, family, friends, and community, " Michael said. He has made it his mission to educate HR professionals on self-care techniques to reduce burnout and stress. "HR Pros are uniquely positioned to make maximum impact and by supporting them well," says Michael, "they can make magic happen in the lives of everyone around them."

When asked why or how he chose his current profession, he remarked, "I have always said that I didn't find counseling, counseling found me My dad was a therapist, and I vividly remember him telling a client struggling with addiction, 'If you love your kids, stop killing their father.' I knew at that second, I wanted to help people. When I was a kid, I wanted to help Native Americans as an advocate because my heart ached for their decline. When I realized I had no fear of public speaking and was talented, I saw it as a vehicle to reach millions! My message is that no matter your hurts, your mistakes, or your diagnosis you can accomplish anything and live a life beyond your wildest dreams

Michael delivers mental health programs that empower leaders. His programs teach strategies that transform company culture, teach mental health first aid, instruct directors on how to show authentic appreciation, and develop leadership principles that foster a healthy workplace He shared that he is excited to announce the launch of an initiative to guide organizations step-by-step to become psychologically safe. This will help organizations become the ideal workplace where burnout and stress are at a minimum, and mental health support is modeled and encouraged His program will also help decrease turnover, increase retention, and allow employers to watch employee engagement skyrocket. He says the great news is that mental health programs have a 5-time return on investment and there are incredible tax incentives. "We spend 90,000 hours at work, so I can make the biggest impact in the workplace. What's most important to me is improving the mental health of employees so that they can go home and love their families, friends, and community better," he explains. When we hear him talk about things like this, we know that the future is really ours to mold as HR professionals!

His biggest challenge in the work that he does? "Leadership," he says, "as a counselor, the first step is admitting there's a problem A lot of leaders are too prideful, or too asleep at the wheel. Prioritizing productivity and profits over people It's the cart before the horse. Make the mental health of employees the mission and sit back and watch the magic." michael@speakingofyoursuccess.com

We asked Michael to share what inspires him. His answer: "The opportunity to help more and more people is a constant inspiration. I've experienced great success, but it wasn't long ago that I suffered from untreated mental illness and had little hope. My story can show people that the bridge from serious mental illness is a short one, I've crossed it, follow me! Also, I'm a little bashful to say, the fact that people doubted me actually motivates me!"

We mentioned that he was part of the "Cage Fight" anthology, so we asked him to share a little about why he agreed to join the project.

"I am the featured author of Cage Fight: Overcoming the Battle in Your Mind. Cage Fight is about how you can step into the ring and do battle against worry, procrastination, confusion, anxiety, anger, and feelings of unworthiness, and remain victorious in the fight," he shares, "writing is a God-given talent and calling of mine. In 'Chase the Lion," Mark Batterson said, "When God puts a calling on your heart and you don't pursue it, you're being disobedient. My desire was to publish a book that someone could stumble upon in a moment of desperation and find hope. When I use my story to help people rewrite theirs, I feel like I'm most right with God. My mission is God's Great Commission. He's called me to make disciples of all nations and baptize them. I might not lead people to Christ from the stage of an HR conference on Workplace Mental Health, but if they want to know how I made it from rock bottom to that stage, I will tell them about Christ!"

We all have obstacles, even when we're doing good work in the world so how does Michael overcome obstacles? "I use prayer, meditation, and breathwork to put God in the center of everything I do. I believe that's proactive management of future obstacles. I have strong men around me for guidance and accountability, and I'm always looking for ways to improve and grow," he says.

He credits the ability to earn an income as a professional speaker as one of his greatest successes at work, along with the fact that he gets paid to do what God has called him to do Michael shares that he does what he does because, "it's what I'm equipped to do, and what I love to do and the fact that I get paid to do it is beyond my wildest dreams."

Finally, we asked him to share any advice he has with anyone considering following in his footsteps. His reply was, "If you are considering a career in counseling, make sure you are in counseling or have been in counseling. Learn about your blind spots and get as healthy as possible. To help people become their best, be your best. If you have dreams to be a professional communicator, join toastmasters!!! Toastmasters is cheap, but priceless! It will change your life!

We hope you'll visit his website and feel free to connect with Michael Towers If you're looking for a speaker for your event, we can promise you that he truly is the best in the business!