Interview with M. Curtis McCoy, Author of "How to be Successful: Think Like a Leader"

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 Digital Book Nook recently caught up with M. Curtis McCoy, author of “How To Be Successful: Think Like A Leader.” We are excited to share this insightful interview today with our readers.

When did you first decide to become a published author?

I love inspiring & motivating people to achieve more in their lives! I started writing as a way to inspire others & leave a legacy, but it’s evolved into so much more!

What is your favorite and the most challenging aspect of writing?

One of my favorite things is interviewing leaders who have achieved greatness in their lives. I cherish the connections writing & podcasting has helped me to gain. I enjoy sharing inspirational stories & interviewing people who fought against all odds to succeed.

After hitting the Amazon Best Sellers list for the first time, many additional opportunities opened up. There simply weren’t enough hours in the day to take every opportunity I received. I was working more than 80 hours weekly. There just wasn’t enough time to get everything done. For a few years, I was working so hard that life wasn’t enjoyable.

I still tend to bite off more than I can chew, but being so busy caused me to reevaluate my priorities. I realized we all have an expiration date, and life could end at any moment. I dedicate more time now to extended vacations, taking chances & making the most of every moment!

I’ve learned to delegate & outsource many of the tasks I don’t enjoy, to focus on writing, podcasting & global speaking engagements. I even ended up on radio & magazine interviews and Amazon Fire TV!

I love writing, but I don’t enjoy editing, so I’ve realized hiring professional editors was well worth the cost.

Tell us about your latest release.

By the time I was 27 years old, I was the owner of several companies in various industries, including medical, fashion, manufacturing, distribution, and pharmaceuticals. I had become successful at a young age. Life was great!

Everything changed when I started having daily grand mal seizures. In 2010, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Oncologists gave me only 60-90 days to live. I lost absolutely everything as I became unable to drive, live alone, or remember small details such as if I’d eaten or taken an insulin shot. Everything I had researched, the businesses I had built, and even my memory were gone.

My family took me to Tijuana, Mexico, to pursue alternative treatments. Uncertain whether I’d survive or not, I was inspired to make a difference in as many lives as possible.

I began contacting leaders I admired and asking questions. How To Be Successful: Think Like A Leader is a compilation of true stories & conversations with entrepreneurs to help you in your journey to success.

How did you come up with the title of your book?

I had already written my latest book & was preparing to publish it under a different title when I interviewed Jane Ubell-Meyer. She’s the owner of a book distribution company called “Bedside Reading .”

She’s incredibly sharp & she suggested my title should tell the potential reader what they would get from reading the book. With that advice, the new title was a given. Leaders in various industries shared their advice and insights on how to be successful. The title is “How To Be Successful: Think Like A Leader.”

What do you hope readers can get from reading your story?
Highlights:
  • A self-made millionaire shares how he went from being homeless to owning a Ferrari.
  • Stop taking ownership of misfortune and become successful with the resources you have.
  • US Navy SEAL Team Sniper Jeff Wobig shares his morning routine and the simple steps he takes to absolutely maximize every single day.
  • When asked about a weakness or personal character flaw in Chapter 12, Paul Watson said, “I’m a believer that nobody will allow themselves to lose forever. You can look at somebody when they go through a divorce. When somebody leaves a marriage, many times, they’re saying, “I’m not going to put up with losing all the time.” They feel like they’re always losing in the relationship. The other person walks on them and mistreats them. So, what I’ve come to find out is this: being competitive is terrific as long as everybody wins, but when you win at the expense of other people, then it’s no longer a good trait, but it’s a character flaw. It’s a weakness. So, I’m working on that loyalty piece, saying, “How do we all win? How are we all – for each other?”
  • Eric Payne shares some incredible insights about truly being yourself and living in your strengths. Eric hosts “The Annual Attempt To Burn The House Down Party” every year, and it’s an absolute blast. I think you’ll love this chapter!
  • Caujuan Mayo shares how he went from prison to launching multiple successful companies and publishing over a dozen books.
  • Does this sound like you? You’re the butt of all jokes. You’re disrespected continuously by your friends and significant other. It doesn’t always have to be that way. Learn to “teach people how to treat you” in Chapter 18.
  • Nathan Schulhof has worked with and consulted for Apple since 1980. He’s known as the Father of the MP3 Player. If you own a portable media player or a smartphone, chances are you own a product that uses the technology invented by Nathan Schulhof. Mr. Schulhof shares a unique perspective on being a comfortable minimalist after making a fortune at a young age.
  • Develop winning habits to set yourself up for success.

There is so much I’d like to share! Get your copy of How To Be Successful & Think Like A Leader now!

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I listen to 6+ audiobooks each month, but here are a few authors who I’ve enjoyed recently: H.J. Chammas, Cynthia Johnson, Mel Carson, Sean Cannell, James Atlas, Robert Greene, Chris Hogan, Tom Wolfe, Eric Schmidt, Carmine Gallow, Paul Sating, Amy Schmittauer, Phil M. Jones, Stephen Woessner, Malcolm Gladwell, Bob Burg, Tim Ferriss, Ari Meisel, F. Ed Knutson, Simon Sinek, Jocko Willink, Leif Babin, Tim S. Grover, David Meerman Scott, Donald Miller, James Clear, Grant Cardone, Brene’ Brown, Stephen R. Covey, and Dale Carnegie.

I’ve had a few of these fantastic authors on my podcast as well!

Do you have any advice for writers looking to get published?

Start creating content daily. Your first draft will probably suck. That’s okay! You can always edit later!

My second piece of advice would be to start creating your personal brand now. Don’t post anything online that doesn’t match what you want the world to think about you.


About the Author

Author M. Curtis McCoy

M. Curtis McCoy is an American entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker.

Curtis lost everything after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor but fought against all the odds to recover and return to the marketplace. He also survived Type-1 Diabetes, grand mal seizures, multiple comas, and recurring memory issues.

Despite these challenges, Curtis helps thousands reach their goals through mentoring and personal development books. M. Curtis McCoy works with professional athletes, musicians, Netflix stars, young entrepreneurs, medical professionals, inventors, investors, and industry titans.

In 2015 M. Curtis McCoy launched “Success, Motivation & Inspiration” to encourage other entrepreneurs to achieve success in their own lives. He continues to publish books on leadership, communication, and personal branding that combine life lessons with inspiring interviews.

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