I love the path this man is on, and I am so grateful he chose to take the time and energy to share his answers to these questions, right here on goodinthehead!
The tools he has learned, and the way he shares them, have the potential to help MANY people who are looking to upgrade their lifestyles and create a better existence for themselves, and those they love. I hope you love this interview as much as I did.
MICHAEL TAYLOR
I was born in the inner-city projects of Corpus Christi, Texas to a single mom with six kids. We were basically the poster children for poverty back in the 60’s. To say we were poor would be a gross understatement. Despite our financial situation, my mother instilled the belief in me that anything was possible and if I wanted something badly enough no one could keep me from getting it except myself. I decided to drop out of high school in the 11th grade because I convinced myself I could get rich selling vacuum cleaners. It was an extremely poor choice, however, I secured a job with a building supply company and worked extremely hard to become the youngest manager in the history of the company.
At the age of 23 I was living the American Dream with the house, the wife, the 2.5 kids and by society’s version of success I was successful. At the age of 29 my dream turned into a nightmare as I experienced divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, depression and being homeless for 2 years living out of my car.
Fortunately, I was able to rebuild my life and now I am living my version of an extraordinary one as an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker and radio host.
- What is your current age? What year were you born and where have you lived?
I was born on October 22, 1960. I am 59 years young at the time of this writing. I am a native Texan who has only lived in Texas. Corpus Christi, Austin, Houston and currently Stafford. (a suburb of Houston)
- What were the most important things you learned during your childhood and earlier years that helped you later in life?
I possibly had the worst childhood a person could have, filled with every imaginable type of abuse. I learned how to be self-sufficient and resilient and it forced me to rely on my intellect for survival. These traits are the keys to my success today.
- If your future best self from 10 years in the future appeared to you RIGHT NOW (who is stronger, more capable, and more successful than you ever imagined yourself to be), which ONE terrifying, challenging, or difficult action would that incredible future self, tell you to take?
It would tell me to not be afraid to speak my truth and to be willing to share my story with the world. It would tell me that I am destined to make a powerful positive impact on the world and to use my unique gifts and talents to make the world a better place.
- How would your future self advise you to live your life NOW, in order to ensure this future self exists?
To live my life joyfully, compassionately, and humbly with a deep sense of reverence and self-love and acceptance.
- What are the practices which you have implemented into your life, which are difficult that have built credibility with yourself and improved your self-esteem?
Constant and never-ending improvement in all areas of my life. Being willing to be introspective to uncover unresolved emotional baggage that used to sabotage my relationships and my life. Learning to love and accept myself just as I am without titles. Positions or money. Meditation and mindfulness are my go-to practices for inner peace and serenity.
- What were your biggest failures/mistakes in life, and what did you learn from them?
My mentor Wayne Dyer taught me there is no such thing as failure. There is only the nonattainment of a desired result. During my first marriage I did not attain the result of a happy family. What I learned as a direct result of my divorce was that I had a lot of unresolved emotional conflicts as a result of my traumatic childhood. My divorce challenged me to heal the emotional trauma which I did, which resulted in me finding the love of my life with whom I’ve been blissfully married to for the past 17 years or so.
- Where is your favorite place you have ever been and why?
I love France. There is a place called St. Paul de Vence which is a converted military type base which houses artist and creatives. It is the most serene and heavenly place I’ve ever been to. I would love to have a villa there and be able to write full time.
- What is your educational background?
I have no formal education. I am a self-educated idealist who loves learning new things and sharing what I’ve learned with others. I am the author of 8 books dealing with human potential and male transformation.
- What jobs/employment have you had? Which was the most fulfilling and why?
I spent most of my life in the construction and building material industry as a salesperson. I was able to take my hobbies of writing and speaking and combine them to become an author and publisher. In addition, I am a motivational speaker who is committed to empowering others to transform their lives from the inside out. Writing and speaking are my two passions but I also love radio broadcasting and podcasting.
- When you feel frustrated, angry, or out of control, what do you do to quickly and effectively return to your baseline emotion? (How do you, “Self-soothe”?)
After more than 25 years of doing transformational work and healing I very seldom feel angry or out of control. My go to self-soothing technique is deep breathing and meditation.
- If you were to believe in the idea of PRONOIA, and believed that the Universe has conspired on your behalf, EACH AND EVERY MOMENT of your entire life, what moments would prove this belief to be true?
As I reflect back over my life, I can see how every event was divinely orchestrated to bring me to this particular point in my life. Therefore, as I reflect over all of the adversities and challenges I have endured, they were all part of a divine plan and I can see the perfection in all of it. My definition of God is the Divine Energy & Intelligence which created and is still creating this amazing Universe we live in, and I know without question I have direct access to the Energy & Intelligence. Therefore, the abusive childhood I experienced, my divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure and being homeless for 2 years were all part of the divine plan and they were all simply preparing me for the extraordinary life I am now creating.
- What is a long-lasting, sustainable contribution you would like to make that lasts long after you are gone, and you do you want it to affect?
My goal is to become a billionaire. I define billionaire as someone who positively impacts the lives of a billion people. I have two companies that create programs to empower individual to reach their full potential. These companies will be my legacy and will continue to benefit humanity long after I’m gone.
- What are the principles and core beliefs you base your decisions and your life upon? Are there any principles or core beliefs that you altered/improved over the years, as you grew, progressed, and improved? (Old beliefs that didn’t serve you/were harmful vs. New beliefs which benefited you and those around you a great deal.)
As a former Atheist I used to be convinced there was no such thing as God. I now know there is a power greater than myself which I have direct access to and it gives me the ability to create anything my heart desires.
- Do you have a morning routine which you adhere to in order to, “Prime your pump,” and empower yourself to be a better, more grounded, centered, focused version of yourself for the day?
Each morning I begin my day by having a gratitude prayer before I get out of bed. I then spend time in silence and quiet meditation and then I read and reflect on a daily email I receive called Notes From The Universe by Mike Dooley.
- What are your favorite 3 quotes and why?
“Imagination is more important than knowledge”, by Albert Einstein. It speaks to my belief that ideas are the currency of the Universe and God speaks through our imagination.
“I will do today what others won’t, so I can do tomorrow what others can’t” by Jerry Rice. Success is actually pretty simple, yet it isn’t necessarily easy. This quote reminds me to do the things most people won’t do so I can have the things most people don’t have, like inner peace, dynamic health, great relationships and financial abundance.
- Do you have a book list of your favorite, most helpful books? What are the books on your list and what were the most important points from each one?
Too many to mention but the two that comes to mind are The Seat Of The Soul by Gary Zukav which taught me humans beings are still evolving into multi-sensory beings and Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch which confirmed what I had always believed about God, which is it is a loving presence that animates all of life and expresses itself through us as us.
- Who were the most important influential people in your life so far? Who do you consider your mentors? (This can be someone in your life or someone you have never met.)
My mom, Geneva Manigault, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Joe Dispenza, Bruce Lipton, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
- What will your 90-year-old self be most proud of?
That I accomplished everything I showed up on this planet to do.
- From where do you derive your value and self-worth from the most, and where would you advise a younger version of yourself to look for such things?
It’s been said if you don’t go within you will always go without. Everything I believe and everything I know for myself about myself comes from believing in a power greater than myself. Therefore, that is where I would tell myself to look. The answer to every question or problem can be found within you if you’re willing to look deeply enough.
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- Who or what has been the biggest, most helpful contributors to your life?
The Divine Intelligence that permeates the Universe. Star Wars got it right. The Force Is With Me And I Am One With The Force.
- What have been the most helpful and effective healing tools, which have helped you the most in your own, personal, unique healing journey?
Healing my inner child with the work of John Bradshaw and Charles Whitfield.
- Is there anything I have not asked you that you would like to share that you believe could benefit others?
Don’t believe the hype of the negative media. It is my belief there has never been a better time to be alive on the planet than right now.
- What do you believe is the purpose of your life?
Each person has 2 divine purposes. The first is an inner purpose which is finding out who you really are and uncovering your unique gifts and talents. The second is an outer purpose which is figuring out how to use your gifts and talents to make the world a better place. When you find your gifts and talents and figure out how to use them to make the world a better place then you have found your purpose. My gifts are speaking and writing so I write and speak to empower people to create extraordinary lives. This is my purpose in life.
- What is your main wish/desire for the loved ones in your life?
That they discover who they really are and find peace within their own hearts and minds. And of course, that they know just how deeply I love them.
- If presented with an opportunity to make a truly sustainable and lasting difference in this world, what would this offer look like, and how would you contribute to its advancement? What are you currently doing to create this reality and manifest its existence into a reality?
Participating in interviews like this to share my truth and inspire others to find and share theirs. In addition, my books, courses, lectures and podcasts are things I do to make a difference in the world.
To work on healing your inner child:
To hear new truths about the soul:
To discover HOW thoughts become things, and how to create and manifest the most optimal, beautiful reality possible: