Motivation with Balloons

Jim Leo is a motivational speaker with a twist. A balloon twist, that is. He has been speaking to many groups around the Tampa Bay area over the summer including Real Estate Lives which meets at the Greater Tampa Area Realtors location on Kennedy. 

Real Estate Lives is a non-profit ogranization, helping those in the real estate and building industries who have been displaced due to the recession. 

Jim Leo begins his speech by passing out twisty balloons, taking his audience through the process of making a balloon dog. The point of this exercise is to experience an "out of comfort zone" moment by doing something most people have probably never done before. The reaction of the audience, when they make that final twist and are holding a balloon animal in their hands sends ripples of laughter across the room. 

Jim shares his personal journey starting from a happy time in his life where he had "the job, the girl, the home", then loses it all almost simultaneously. To show how much was on his mind at the time, Jim creates a "worry hat" one balloon at a time on the head of Steve Swann, a volunteer from the audience, describing each part as he builds the hat. The group is engrossed by his story, which is filled with humor and is something most people can relate to from their own experiences. 

Jim continues the story of his journey by showing how he found himself on an unlikely path to recovering from this point in his life. Jim delivers a message of possibilities for individuals to discover new opportunities in their own lives by using what they have available to them and what they already know. 

Erin Kane, who was at the Real Estate Lives meeting, says, "Jim Leo's message is universal. He reminds you everyone is different and unique. The best way to highlight who we are is to not be afraid of those differences, but to embrace them." 

Jim Leo has been presenting this and many other motivational messages to groups and organizations around the Tampa Bay area including many Kiwanis clubs, Rotary clubs, corporations and other non-profits. 

For more information about Jim Leo, please contact him at 727-267-5774 or jimmyleo68@gmail.com. Video can be seen on his youtube channel, jimmyleo68. 

For more information about Real Estate Lives, contact Ron Weaver at 813-222-5002 or visit their website at www.realestatelives.org.