Unleashing Your Hero: Rise Above Any Challenge, Expand Your Impact, and Be the Hero the World Needs

by Kevin D. Brown

Develop, expand, and share your gifts as a leader to inspire others to use their own individual talents in extraordinary ways—from one of the country’s most sought-after motivational speakers with a 30+ year career in franchise development. In Unleashing Your Hero , renowned speaker Kevin Brown shares how the heroes who transformed his life are people just like you. People who stepped up and used their talents to make a positive difference within the hectic moments of everyday life. The same person your employees are looking to and trusting in for guidance and support. Through his real-life examples and stories, Kevin The unconventional yet probable path to business and personal success outlined in Unleashing Your Hero will help you and those you lead build extraordinary, fulfilling, impactful lives—at a time when your employees and your organization need the hero within you more than ever.

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you read Brown's "The Hero Effect", this is an elongated version of the same exact stories. Not much new material at all...this felt like the milking effect.

[Rochelle Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Kevin speak at a work leadership convention where he had the room of 1200 people laughing, crying and inspires all at the same time. Go out and serve and find purpose in your true self, embrace your unique talents and don’t let others write your story. By giving your best to others, you will in turn be given reward and fulfillment. If everyone treated each other this way, the world would be a better place.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I heard him speak in August 2022. He was phenomenal. His book was a lot of what he spoke about but just good encouragement for those of us who work in fields to serve people. We can all be heroes!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this unassuming little volume.
The author says right up front that he is not a highly educated man. His disarmingly casual approach makes you feel like you are sitting down in a booth at Denny's having a cup of coffee together. Sure, there are a lot of quotes that could be on those 90s motivational posters, but in addition to that, you will find a great bit of advice: just do better.
Brown uses examples from his own life, including his own autistic son, his career, failed marriage and so on, to illustrate how to try harder. He includes a lot of advice from one of his mentors, and man, that guy was on fire! Brown is now a motivational speaker, but this key idea of unleashing your own inner hero is actually quite genius.
Brown instructs the reader to ask yourself the hard questions. Do you make the people you say are the most important to you feel like they are? What if your daily agenda centered on the positive impact you wanted to have on everyone you encountered?
It's not about doing heroic deeds. You do not have to pull someone out of a burning car to be a hero. You do not even have to wait for an opportunity to do something wonderful. MAKE the opportunity. It could be as simple as making apple pancakes, or refinishing a piano bench. It just has to mean something to the other person.
We've all heard the comment that you never know what kind of day the other person is having, so be kind. This takes that one step further. It can apply to business, sure. But also to your daily life. Brown uses the example of the chef at Disney World going out after work and buying special ingredients for his son's dietary needs, just to make him apple pancakes. When she didn't even know if they would be coming back to the restaurant during their stay. And guess what? They did, and she had the pancakes, and you know what they did then? They ate there every remaining day of their stay. Years later, when they went back, she told them that she had used their son's example to spearhead an initiative to offer special dietary menus for other children, that in 9 years had been used for one million children. Imagine that! All because she stopped at the store on her way home from work. But no, it didn't start there. It started when she took the time to talk to the mom, and asked the right questions, and got the information she needed. She had since become an expert on the dietary needs of autistic children. Wow.
There are several other amazing stories in this book, but they all have one thing in common - people caring. People taking the TIME to do the thing that is just that much more than is required. This is why I think this book will resonate with many people.
I wish people didn't shy away from self help. But this could be the next Who Moved My Cheese? It could be the next Purpose Driven Life. The book is not without its flaws - there is some clumsy editing, and it could be fleshed out a little in other places. But the author's voice shines through, and I would love to hear him speak! For now, though, we will just have to be content with this book. Which I highly recommend you get, and apply it to your new year. Go on.

I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours on behalf of the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I blew through this book in two nights, and my copy if full of tabs. I know this is one I will want to reread.

[wellreadtraveler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unleashing Your Hero is such an important read anytime, but especially right now. There is so may things I loved about this book and I want to tell you everything, but most important…. when you finish you will feel inspired. Author Kevin Brown will motivate you to recognize those around you who have helped you become who you are today but also point out how you might have been an important part to someone else’s journey. Kevin tells the story about how he overcame many struggles in his life and couldn’t have done it without several mentors who believed in him.
“I was inspired to change my life, but didn’t know how”
Kevin gives the definition of being a hero as: Ordinary people who do extortionary things” but changed it to “extraordinary people who chose not to be ordinary”. I really liked the change. When I think about heroes, I don’t think of the Marvel type in movies, my mind immediately goes to the men and women on the United flight who sacrificed their lives for others, of police and fire who put their lives in jeopardy every day, and of course our military who protects us all. These are heroes, but what if there are heroes among us who save us in a different way? For Kevin it was people in his life who believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself, people who pushed him and gave him opportunities because they knew he would excel. Everyone should have a cheerleader in their corner.
Kevin is a successful motivational speaker and I felt inspired and empowered having read his book. With a good sense of humor” Mr. Delicious” gives examples of many people who don’t appear outwardly to be heroes but to him they were. I was left wondering have I inspired or helped anyone? When they think of someone who is their hero will they think of me? I hope when I’m old and grey and gone from this world I would have left a mark. I hope I changed someone’s day, lent a shoulder to cry on, cheered someone up, and made someone’s day. “Give everyone you meet the best you have to offer”

[Yolanda (readmorethrillers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the things that stayed with me after reading this book was Dr Brown’s mention of success. He emphasizes that most people’s success has been achieved with the help of a hero or many heroes. A hero being that person that believes in you and have you the support you needed in order to achieve your goals. Whether it is the boss who showed you the way to your next promotion, or the parent who believed in you even when you didn’t believe in yourself, or the partner who supported you every step of the way.

I don’t normally read self improvement books but I couldn’t let nonfiction month pass without at least reading one of these.

[Edward Loduca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Kevin Brown though a work "Day of Learning" seminar. He had a great session, much of which he further explained in this book. I've been a fan of heroes and superheroes for a long time which also drew me to this book. Kevin does a great job storytelling his experiences. He reminds me a bit of Bob Goff's style. Kevin shares his humble beginnings and how he was able to unexpectedly become a hero in his own right [not that he said that in so many words]. It's a great journey with many worthy lessons.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥✨

“𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧… 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘯.”

𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭!

In this fantastic book Kevin shares his impressive journey, how he overcame obstacles and the people who helped and inspired him become the person he is today.

Thank you HarperCollins Leadership Kevin Brown and TLC Book Tours for this gifted copy.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Natalie Ramseyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard this message from Kevin Brown directly during a conference. Would give his speech 10/10 stars. One of the most memorable I've ever heard. This book is basically a longer version of his speech so I'd heard most of it, however, it's helpful & impactful if you don't have the chance to hear him speak or you want to have a physical version of what you hear.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, but I felt the writing style was not good. I feel as if the book wasn’t as organized as it should have been.

[Theresa Dalman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is heartfelt and thought provoking. I found the stories interesting and I enjoyed pondering them. Thank you.

[Hope Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard him speak about a year ago, good book, good message, really good speaker.

[Annaliese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it better than I thought I would. I saw him speak in Aug 2022, and I thought he was full of himself. However, reading his experiences helped me understand him more as a person. He has a great story to tell.

That being said, this book is marketed as a self help book, but it is more of a memoir. He just offers what he has learned in his life experience. There is no case studies, no facts or statistics, no data to really speak of. It’s just his opinion based on experience.

[Adonis H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many others here, I first came across Kevin Brown at a seminar. The message in Unleashing Your Hero is consistent with what he shares in person, online, and on stage. The principles may seem simple, but that is part of their power. Life is complicated enough, and sometimes we need to step back and be reminded of the fundamentals that truly matter. In the end, it is about recognizing the hero within and choosing to live it out every day.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t say this is the best motivational book I have ever read. Kevin Brown gifts us with many insights while sharing his own life story. This is what made it hit home for me. He shared how his own life was changed with the heroes he encountered. He makes readers feel their worth. He makes readers want to share their talents and uniqueness with others. He makes readers want to be a hero too!

[Sarah O’Shea Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book for our CEO’s book club choice. He spoke at our national convention and was said to have been phenomenal. The point to his encouraging message is to be positive and give your very best to those you serve. Inspiring and worthy of the read/ listen.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to Kevin ad the key note speaker at the CMAA conference in Tampa. He is a great storyteller with a powerful message, I highly recommend this book to anyone that needs a positive reinforcement about anything in life .

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really sweet stories, here. I wrote this quote down from the conversation with the author after the book:

“To receive what God has in store for you, you’ve got to let go of what you’re holding on to.”

[Lindsey Price-Monk · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Many times the water we are drowning in is really just chest deep and all we need to do is stand up. (Preface)
-You have all the greatness of Superman, so why are you choosing to be Clark Kent? (ch.6)
-“Heroes are extraordinary people who choose not to be ordinary.” (Ch.6)

[M. Low · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege to hear Kevin speak earlier this year. I was worried the book would just be a rehash of the speech, but there were so many more nuggets in the book. It definitely left me thinking.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story on the everyday heros that we come in contact with. I found it a good book on the importance of character and serving others through every day actions.

[Alli Dicke · Rating 1 out of 5]

👎

[Ally Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read for work. Very expected stories regarding being an every day hero.

[Kathleen Schwantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best motivational book I've ever read. I will reread this one often and recommend to everyone I know.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Carly Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this ❤️

[Connor Magary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forced to read for work.

[Nora McGillicuddy Milam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of seeing Kevin Brown speak, twice, and each time I’m more impressed by him. His life lessons are simple, easy to apply and definitely worthy of your attention and time.

[Abbe Strauss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Kevin Brown when I heard him speak in 2022 and his Apple Pancake Story not only stuck out due to its relation to hospitality - but it's lasting impact. This is a great memoir and lesson in life.

[Darlene Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I herd Kevin Brown speak in Orlando 2023 and he blew it out of the water.
His obstacles he faced, and overcoming with the help of hero’s.