Ray McElroy
Through his 20+ year motivational speaking initiative, Life Beyond the Game, Ray McElroy, unlike any other, has managed to capture the hearts and minds of youth, organizations and companies nationwide! As a leader in the marketplace, Ray’s amazing and uncanny ability to entertain while delivering a profound message of desire, discipline and dedication has impacted the lives of thousands regardless of gender, age, or profession. Ray's list of satisfied clients include CITGO, Discover Financial Services, The Chicago Cubs, Dairy Farmers of America, Countrywide Financial, Christ Advocate Hospital, Precision Payroll of America, and State Farm Insurance; just to name a few. Ray's fire for seeing individuals, companies, and organizations take their prospective businesses to the next level comes from his athletic background spending six seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, and the Chicago Bears. A native of Chicago and graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Ray also served as Team Chaplain for the Chicago Bears Organization soon after retiring from Pro Football.
In addition to his speaking profession, Ray is devoting his post football career to empowering youth, transforming lives, and making a difference one life and community at a time through his non-profit organization, A Ray of Hope on Earth. If that isn’t enough, Ray partners with his wife Michelle on her newly developed venture AIM; which stands for Activating Intentional Marriages. Through this initiative, Ray and Michelle use their 29 years of marital experience to coach couples in business, churches, and those in professional athletics; equipping them with the tools necessary to take their game to the next level relationally. Whether he is delivering an encouraging word at his church or on game day to NFL players, speaking at school assemblies or youth programs, or challenging businesses on how to boldly go where they haven't been before, Ray is truly committed to delivering tangible, life-changing results to whomever he is in.
Most Requested Programs
To Boldly Go
In Ray’s talk, " TO BOLDLY GO,” Stepping out from Ordinary to Extraordinary, we will discuss how ordinary people with average talent accomplish extraordinary things. What separates those who experience success versus those who constantly find themselves falling short? How does a person, a company, or an organization BOLDLY GO where they have never been before? How can we step out from an Ordinary place to an Extraordinary existence both personally and professionally? What a person sees, what they say, and what they show in their actions are all telling factors in their ability to take their professional and personal lives to the next level. TO BOLDLY GO is a program that dives right into the heart of a person's perceived reality, exposes the effects of negative self talk, and inspires both organizations and individuals to create momentum towards greatness; daring to achieve, accomplish, and BOLDLY GO where others around them have never gone before!
Communication of Champions
How do championship level teams and organizations achieve the ultimate prize? It’s not just that they have the best talent, or the the biggest platforms. Championship teams consistently have discovered the “secret sauce” of principles that give them an edge over their competition; specifically when the game is on the line.
In this fun, interactive, but challenging program, Communication of Champions, we discuss three essential principles of communication that can help propel any team from a pretender into a contender in whatever marketplace they may be competing in.
Testimonials
“Ray McElroy was exceptionally engaging with the Illinois FFA members attending the State FFA Convention. He was entertaining and thought provoking. He had students engaged at all levels, out of their chairs and envisioning their future. Great speaker, much more than a speaker, life changing experience for all who were there.“ - Mindy Bunselmeyer – Executive Secretary, Future Farmers of America, Illinois Chapter
"I would heartily recommend Ray for your company or your event to help bring a message and a focus to what you're trying to achieve. With his passion and ability to connect to his audience in a unique way will serve real well and help set the tone with what your organization is trying to accomplish." - Jim Cristman, Vice President, Citgo Petroleum
I have been the head, the community banking association for over 25 years. When Ray came up to speak to our association in Michigan, he was one of the most entertaining and engaging speakers I have ever heard! I sang his praises throughout our entire association. His content was relevant, captivating, and timely for our community bankers coming out of one of the most difficult times in the history of our country (COVID-19). Thank you Ray for the work you did with our association and I will continue to recommend your as an outstanding option for a Keynote presenter to our other colleagues across the country. - Mike Tierney, President & CEO, Community Bankers of Michigan