“No one determines how long they live, but you can determine how well you live.”
This is a quote taken from The 12 Pillars, a book local author and Scottsdale resident Chris Widener co-wrote with Jim Rohn. Those words play a common theme in Widener's life's mission–one of helping people live their best lives.
Widener has found huge success in authoring bestselling books–22 to be exact–and traveling the world as a motivational speaker, teaching people how to live life to their fullest potential. He is hired by large companies and groups from all over the globe to speak his words of inspiring wisdom.
Considered one of the top executive coaches in America, he works with wealthy families, top executives, C-level executives, professional athletes, and anyone else who wants to achieve additional success in their life and business.
“I’ve been coaching people since 1988,” he explains. “It’s highly personalized coaching. I limit myself to 10 clients at a time, so everyone has my full attention and a specially designed coaching program just for them.”
Widener also helps people develop speaking careers and write their own books.
“I really enjoy helping people who have already achieved success achieve far more than they could, taking their lives and businesses to the next level,” he shares. “It’s satisfying to me to see people make breakthroughs when they get to a wall they didn’t think they could get through.”
As a youth growing up in Seattle, Washington, Widener’s life wasn't always inspired. When he was just 4 years old, his father died. Then, he and his mother moved around frequently.
“(Growing up) I lived in 28 different homes and went to 11 different schools,” he says. “I was sent to live with relatives a couple times. I was the very definition of an 'at-risk' kid.”
He had begun to go down the wrong path, until, as a teen, he had been invited to attend a Lutheran youth group. It was there where he met the youth pastor who changed his life for the better.
“He showed me there was a plan; that if I applied myself I could complete a great mission in my life,” he says. “Mentors are so very important to not only the young, but throughout our entire lives.”
Motivated by his troubled childhood and grateful to the men who helped set him on the right path, Widener was inspired to help others. He went on to study Youth and Family Studies, and also served as a youth pastor.
For the past 30 years, his personal mission statement has been, “I will use my writing and speaking skills to help other people turn their potential into performance, and succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.”
In addition to his executive coaching career, Widener and his wife, Denise, launched Swipe Right for Mr(s). Right, an audio program targeted towards singles aged 40-plus, and also co-authored a book called Better the Second Time: How to Have An Amazing Second Marriage.
Widener's books are largely fictionalized stories meant to inspire. His novel, Angel Inside, is even being considered for the silver screen. His writing works have been likened to the acclaimed book, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo.
His newest work, Lasting Impact: How to Create a Life and Business that Lives Beyond You, falls into the self-help genre and will be available in bookstores and on Amazon on Jan. 5.
Making the most of his life and leaving a legacy is paramount to Widener, and he's determined to help others do the same.
“Knowing I am helping people is the greatest reward,” he says. “The money and travel are great, but to know you have helped someone else is really incredible.”