Published: September 03, 2008 04:59 pm            

More than a motivational speaker

Zionsville’s Tom Richardson continues to shape lives

The 71-year-old Zionsville resident retired in 1997, but continues to push the gas pedal as a motivational speaker, personal trainer and business coach.

“I’m 71 but I’m still growing in lots of areas,” Richardson, a self-proclaimed “learning junkie,” said. “Why do we have to quit things when we reach a certain age? Too many people go to sit on the porch too soon.”

Aside from a busy professional schedule, Richardson also keeps himself physically active as a champion power lifter and martial arts student. He holds the Indiana state record in the bench press and dead lift in his age group, and is working to become a black belt in karate.

He also volunteers his time to work with Zionsville Community High School’s varsity athletes, and serves as the defensive line coach for the Eagles’ football team.

“There is no finer man in the world. He’s extremely enthusiastic and committed, and he’s a great role model for our kids,” Zionsville Head Football Coach Larry McWhorter said of his assistant coach.

McWhorter went on to explain how Richardson has such a profound leadership presence. He said when the team gets ready to play a game with a referee staff they haven’t met before, the officials often assume Richardson is the head coach.

“I’m standing there and he has to point me out to the officials — I’ve seen it happen a lot of times,” McWhorter said.

Richardson has several years of experience motivating athletes. After playing football for the University of Tennessee, he coached as many as four high school sports in 12 years in Tennessee and Florida.

In 1974 he became an insurance agent, which brought him to Indianapolis. As he worked his way up to the administrative vice president position at State Farm Insurance, Richardson relocated to Bloomington and West Lafayette.

During his years with State Farm, he honed his public speaking skills. In 1988, Richardson was named President of Toastmasters International, an organization committed to the development of speakers.

He took an early retirement in 1997, and decided to settle in central Indiana to work as a speaking and soft skills trainer. He and his wife Cathy decided on Zionsville because of the community and the pace. They also wanted their youngest son, Matt, to finish school in a good school system.

Richardson also held the Eagles’ football program in high regard, and immediately took a role as a volunteer for the team.

Today he is much more than a volunteer for Zionsville students. He created the Coaching to Change Lives Program where he does character training with the school’s varsity athletes. He’s also extending the program to work with coaches, parents and athletes throughout Zionsville schools and youth sports leagues.

He is active at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, where he mentors youth activities and holds leadership roles in men’s ministries.

Richardson is also sharing his gift around the country. Since 2002, he has worked with LantzQuest Performance Strategies, a company on the northside of Indianapolis, as a motivational speak and trainer. He relishes the opportunity to work in a newer, growing industry where he can work to improve people’s lives.

“A lot of people are coaches and don’t even realize it,” Richardson said. “People are becoming more interested to learn about making their employees better — it’s a rapidly growing tool in building leadership.”

He doesn’t like the term “motivation speaker” because he says, “motivation doesn’t last.” Rather, he works to help people improve their own lives.

When you’re as active as Tom Richardson, time surely goes by fast. And in 11 fast years, he has left an indelible mark on the town of Zionsville.

        

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