eMediaCampaigns! recently shared a few moments with Dr. Stan Harris as part of the OnTheMove! interview series. Dr. Stan Harris is an entrepreneur, certified behavior consultant, 10th Degree Black Belt, and inductee the "Black Belt Hall of Fame." Earlier this month, he was inducted into the "Motivational Speaker's Hall of Fame." He now takes his seat among Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Stephen Covey and other greats. In 1993, he earned his Doctorate of Divinity degree from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School. He is currently working towards his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Joel Robbins, College of Natural Health, Oklahoma.
Dr. Stan's speaking presentations often include attention-keeping, Karate demonstrations where he breaks bricks, wooden blocks, and lays on a bed of nails as 100 lbs. of bricks are broken across his chest with a sledge hammer. He has shared the platform with Jim Rohn, Les Brown, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, Doug Firebaugh, Barry Donalson, Jerry D. Rhino Clark, and of the like. 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 demonstrate dramatically how to break through your mental barriers to achieve peak performance in the real world. I have shared the platform with him and been in his audiences. His reviews always mention the same four words: Life Changing, Smashing, Success!"
-Dr. Denis Waitley, author "The Psychology of Winning"
We asked this two-time hall of fame inductee to share more about his life, current projects, visions, and of course, his spectacular, inspiration-filled, Martial Arts, speaking presentations.
EMC! Good morning, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
Dr.StanHarris: The pleasure is mine.
EMC!: Could you tell us more about your background?
Dr. Stan Harris: I have two brothers, and two half brothers. We were raised in a single parent home in the roach and mice infested projects (Smith Holmes) of Harrisburg, PA. I remember waking up with giant water bugs crawling on my face! At 6 years of age while playing on a playground, a gang of teenagers jumped, beat, tarred, and feathered me. They left me in a field. Someone found me, and rushed 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 beaten with a steel folding chair across my back and head, as well as with a choker chain (for a dog), by the hands of my Mom's boyfriend -- without her knowledge of course.
EMC!: You are a survivor. How did you become 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 continued training for quite awhile. One day she got into a fight with her boyfriend that had physically abused me. She knocked him out with a side thrust kick to the jaw. My brothers and I looked at each other in shock. We went to the man on the ground who was out cold and said, "Whatever you do, don't mess with my Momma anymore, because my Momma is bad, man; my Momma is bad." The event so impressed me that I started training in Isshin'ryu Karate with the hopes that I would learn to protect myself and one day become a champion and get the attention I so craved for as a younger child.
EMC!: Would you say the realization that you could empower yourself utilizing the principles of Martial Arts, ignited your desire to help others empower themselves in their daily lives?
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 one's own self. I wanted to share with others my newly found power of channeling my anger and frustration into something productive. I also wanted others to experience the new found improved self image that comes with self control and accomplishments.
EMC!: Dr. Stan, what are the visions you concoct in your mind which drive your desire to contribute?
Dr. Stan Harris: I see myself supporting 100 missionaries. I always wanted to be the role model for others, that I never had personally. The power of expectation and belief from someone that we respect and admire can unleash great amounts of power that have been held back. I also envision myself continuing to present health seminars around the country (USA).
EMC!: 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: Most definitely. One woman met me in the airport and said, "Whatever it is you do, I want to be part of because you exude such compassion, and power." Like John Wesly of old, I just put myself on fire and people come watch me burn!
EMC!: Whose counsel have you benefited the most from?
Dr. Stan Harris: Other than the Bible, William E. Bailey who also mentored Jim Rohn, Les Brown and others.
EMC!: Your speaking presentations often include a dynamic demonstration of Martial Arts. Amazingly, you break 22 inches of bricks with your bare hands utilizing incredible speed and power. Can you describe the impact it has on your audiences?
Dr. Stan Harris: Because our generation is so visual. I like to use visual aids that they can relate to, to add extra impact to my message. People are often spell bound, and they really get the point that we can break through our limitations, no matter how hard, or difficult!
EMC!: That certainly paints a picture. Can you give us some examples which depict how people's lives were changed for the greater after seeing you brick-breaking presentation?
Dr. Stan Harris: Here's what Rita Graves from Texas said:
"Dr. Stan Harris was so inspirational! He touched my heart tremendously. Words cannot tell you how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to meet and hear him speak in person. Wow