474. Transformed by a Moment's Decision

Terry Gremaux

Terry learned a strong work ethic from his parents, as he demonstrated in his years working as an underground gold miner. But a life changing event and the guidance of mentors, set him on a path no one in his family even understood.

Terry Gremaux started out working as an underground gold miner 80-plus hours a week. The economy tanked and so did his job. He found himself in unfamiliar territory and knew it was time to make extreme changes and rewrite his future. Terry found a mentor who spoke with him about the principles, habits, and strategies he so direly needed. Today Terry is an entrepreneurial leader who trains business owners worldwide how to use free social media strategies to grow their businesses.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

Years before he even heard about social media, when he still thought of people in business as “those OTHER people,” Terry learned a strong work ethic from his parents. He often helped his hard-working father, who was a rancher, a farmer and an occasional gold miner. Terry held onto the work ethic but eventually left the physical labor behind.

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

Terry had a grand mal epileptic seizure one day when he was working in the gold mine. “They had to call an ambulance, take me to the hospital, the whole nine yards.” He had been diagnosed when he was 17 with a type of epilepsy that can be managed with medication and a few lifestyle changes. “I wasn’t very good about doing what the doctor told me. I wasn’t supposed to be working night shifts, but I didn’t know anything else to do to make a lot of money, and I was stubborn, so I didn’t do what the doctor said. After the seizure, I took it as God’s way of waking me up and telling me I am here to do something different. From that moment forward, everything changed.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

Starting an entrepreneurial life, it’s sometimes necessary to put some distance between yourself and anyone who is unable to encourage and support you on your independent path, Terry observes. That often includes parents and other family members and good friends. “Doing this makes room for mentors and teachers who can help you understand your desire to do something different and reach your goals. When you’ve built your self-confidence, it’s possible to renew the ties with loved ones and friends whose paths are not like yours.”

Steps to Success from Terry Gremaux

1. Make space in your life for mentors and teachers, even if that means temporarily putting some distance between yourself and some of your family and friends.

2. Cultivate a strong work ethic and practice it in pursuit of your heart’s desire.

3. Immerse yourself in learning about what interests you. Often, after investing in yourself for a while, a life change will come, and it will seem like a sudden awakening, a moment of transformation.