Meet Benton Thompson III | Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benton Thompson III and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benton, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Firstly, we should never give up, generally speaking that is. In particular, we should never give up on our dreams, nor ourselves. Each new day brings with it more, new, and different opportunities for us to explore and try those options. There is so much that is unknown; the other people involved, the timing, the resources, the logistical coordination that has to take place. All the details and nuisances of a thing might not have been fully revealed yet. That being said, we should never make a permanent decision, based upon a set of temporary circumstances, and/or partial information. There are generally two indicators that I use in determining whether to continue or stop and reevaluate. 1. If the desire is still within me, then it is still alive. I must continue pursuit. 2. If doors continue to open, then my faith and belief demand that I continue to walk through those open doors and see what is behind them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a licensed and ordained minister. My faith in God is my primary driver for the work that I do as a writer and speaker. My charge is to bring practicality and clear understanding, to the otherwise complicated, persona of faith in God. The messages I share and the books I have written are relatable to everyday life. They are practical applications that we can all apply to our daily lives. I wrote my first book in 2002, Why Men Hunt / Providers or Stewards, because my life was a mess, and I was asking God why? Why am I still hunting for a job, a house, a career, and other things if I believe in you? In essence, what good is it to believe in you? I opened the Gideons bible in my hotel room and began reading at the very beginning in Gensis. I came to the story of Adam and Eve. I read how God provided everything Adam needed. A mate, a job, a place to live, and a purpose. All Adam had to do was be a good steward over what God provided. My problem was that I was in control of everything, I was trying to provide for myself and my family. That night, on the Jamesson Inn hotel pad left on the nightstand, I wrote my first draft of Why Men Hunt, asking both men and women, are you the provider, or are you the steward? Since then, I have traveled and spoken to audiences around the world, written several columns in magazines, and published CD’s and ten other books that offer practical insights to complicated everyday life issues. My belief is, though we are all different, with each of us having a unique set of fingerprints since eternity, we still have similar challenges that need solutions. I am sharing my lessons learned.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone were to visit me in Atlanta, my first thought would be about the food. I love good food. I have a stable of restaurants in the city that I like to frequent. Breakfast being the most important meal of the day we would visit a different place each day. West Egg Cafe, and get a “pileup”, Another Broken Egg, link sausage and gouda cheese grits, Ria’s Bluebird, breakfast burrito and pecan pancakes, Carrol Street Cafe, Thumbs Up, and J. Christophers. Lunchtime has numerous choices like Fox Brothers Barbeque, Twisted Kitchen, Little Azio, and for dinner I like Agaves Electric Southwestern, Ruth’s Chris, and Scalini’s Italian restaurant to name a few. The theater and arts are wonderful here, I would recommend visiting a museum or taking in a show. Atlanta is also a big sports town, professional auto racing, basketball, baseball, football, soccer is all available. The historical relevance is everywhere, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birth home and church, Margret Mitchell-Gone with the Wind, Civil Rights museum, Civil war sites, and countless others. Music, culture, celebrities, shopping, sports, food, Atlanta has it all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to Shoutout to all my family, friends and church members who have supported me throughout the years. I come from a family of nine, there is only myself and two older brothers left now. I want to acknowledge my two older brothers. Big brother Tyrone, I appreciate all the truth and wisdom you have shared with me. Brother Randolph, (RAT), I thank you for all your words of encouragement. I love you both dearly.

Website: www.bentonthompsoniii.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bentonthompsoniii/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BentonThompsonIII/

Youtube: Benton T. Thompson III

Image Credits
Hollywood Headshots – Michael Justice