I've heard a lot of motivational speakers throughout the years.

Hear the voice of Jason Kelce, a warrior of the gridiron, who declares with humility and candor: “I've heard a lot of motivational speakers throughout the years.” These words, though simple, strike with depth when heard through the ears of wisdom. For in them lies not only the acknowledgment of the power of speech, but also the recognition that inspiration is a stream which flows through many voices, and that even the strongest among us must drink from its waters to endure.

At the heart of his saying is the truth of motivation as a shared fire. No man, however mighty, carries endless fuel within himself. The athlete, the leader, the soldier, the builder—all grow weary. Yet in the moments when the body falters and the spirit begins to dim, the voice of another can strike the flint that reignites the flame. Kelce, who has fought in the fiercest of battles on the football field, confesses that even he, a titan before roaring crowds, has leaned upon the strength of motivational speakers to sharpen his resolve and steady his heart.

This truth echoes through history. Consider Winston Churchill, whose words during the dark hours of World War II did not merely inform but fortified the will of a nation. “We shall never surrender,” he thundered, and weary citizens found within themselves courage they had not known they possessed. Or think of Frederick Douglass, who spoke to a divided America, and whose very voice was a weapon against despair and injustice. Their speeches, like those Kelce alludes to, were more than words—they were lifelines cast into stormy seas.

Yet Kelce’s remark also reminds us that hearing many voices brings discernment. For not every speaker stirs the soul in the same way. Some inspire through fire, others through gentleness; some awaken with humor, others with solemnity. The wise listener, like Kelce, does not dismiss the chorus, but learns to take from each voice what is useful. In this way, he shows us that motivation is not one note, but a symphony, and every note, if listened to with care, strengthens the heart in a different manner.

There is also humility in his words. For by admitting that he has listened to many speakers, Kelce acknowledges that greatness does not come from prideful isolation, but from openness to the wisdom of others. The ancients called this teachable spirit—the willingness to listen, to learn, and to be shaped. It is not weakness to be moved by another’s words; it is strength, for it proves the heart remains open to growth. The mightiest oak was once a seed watered by the rains of others.

The lesson for us, then, is twofold: first, do not neglect the voices that inspire, whether they come from a stage, a book, a friend, or even a stranger. Seek them out, for they may awaken in you strength that lies dormant. Second, do not only listen, but act. For motivation is like a spark—it is wasted if it does not set wood aflame. The purpose of a motivational speaker is not to entertain, but to stir you into movement, to push you toward your own greatness.

And what actions shall you take? Listen with discernment, take courage from the words of others, and then step forward into your own battles. Do not scorn the gift of encouragement, nor imagine you are above it. Instead, gather the wisdom of many voices, as Kelce has done, and let them forge within you an unbreakable spirit. Then, when your turn comes, speak boldly, so that your own words may one day strengthen others.

Thus let it be remembered: the strongest warriors still listen, the greatest leaders still learn, and the most enduring champions are those who allow the words of others to fuel their own fire. May Kelce’s admission guide us to humility, to openness, and to the courage to act upon the inspiration we receive, that we too may rise when the trials of life demand our best.