Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. My company HappyLiving.com is on a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the world, one person at a time.
I live on Lake Norman in Mooresville, North Carolina with my beautiful wife and our two daughters.
I graduated from the University of California – Davis, where I studied Economics, ran track, and played football. I dedicated my first two years after college to becoming a professional athlete, only to come up short with the unique distinction of being cut from three different teams, in three different leagues: Canadian, USFL, and NFL.
Over the next 30 years, I focused on training myself to become a successful businessman. I was given many opportunities to learn and gain expertise in the various functions required to start, grow, and lead successful businesses.
I have shifted my focus from helping businesses to helping people. On January 16, 2014, I decided to sell my previous company and dedicate my time and resources to researching and sharing best practices for happy living.
I write to inspire others to believe that a better self is always possible – today, every day, for the rest of their lives.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Belief Road Map is my first published book.
It was inspired by something I call the seven foundations of health. I believe health is more than just a body that’s free from disease. For me, true health means a fully optimized human being. That requires a daily practice focused on many areas of one’s life.
The Seven Foundations are: Physical Fitness, Mental Fitness, Spiritual Fitness, Financial Fitness, Love, Adventure and Significance. I have created personal philosophies for each of these to guide the way to the life of my dreams.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I started writing, I was advised to set a deadline for when the book would be finished. I dismissed that advice and instead chose to commit to a writing schedule. I decided I would write 90 minutes per day, five days per week. I focused on the process of writing the book, not an arbitrary deadline for finishing it. The book would be finished when it was fully written. Until then, I just kept writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. Here is my top three.
Dr. Wayne Dyer, Stephen King, and Steven Pressfield
What are you working on now?
My next book is called Turning Inspiration into Action. It’s about connecting to the powers you need to conquer negativity, act on the best opportunities, and live the life of your dreams. I hope to have it published in the next few months.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We have a page on our website at HappyLiving.com dedicated to our books. We also utilize Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest. And we have an ever-growing email list of fans that help us.
Perhaps the best method for promoting our book is doing an interview for Awesome Gang… .
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes.
1. Read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King, and Book Launch by Chandler Bolt.
2. Believe in yourself.
3. Learn the craft
4. Do the work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
More than thirty years ago I received a piece of advice that transformed my life.
“Your day belongs to another’s dream.”
I wrote about the meaning of this on my blog: http://www.happyliving.com/2015/07/08/nothing-is-missing/
What are you reading now?
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success by Mark Coker, and The Big Short by Michael Lewis
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am currently busy marketing The Belief Road Map, I’m in the final phases of completing Turning Inspiration into Action, and this summer I’ll be working on a book project for a charity.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Goat Brothers by Larry Colton
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Author Websites and Profiles
Matt Gersper Website
Matt Gersper Amazon Profile
Matt Gersper’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account