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July 10, 2025

Making the Leap (Leaving Corporate for Full-Time Speaking) with Trent Theroux

BY Jane Atkinson

Listen to this Episode (00:36:53)

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00:36:53

Making the Leap (Leaving Corporate for Full-Time Speaking) with Trent Theroux

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Quote: “I had the scare of being permanently paralyzed without being permanently paralyzed.” Trent Theroux

Alright, let’s chat about the speaker’s journey, shall we? Because let’s be honest, nearly every one of us, when we first dipped our toes into the world of speaking, was juggling it with a “proper job.” Speaking was our side hustle, our passion project, simmering on the back burner. But then, the magic starts to happen, the bookings pick up, the buzz grows, and suddenly, you’re looking at that side hustle thinking, “Hmm, maybe this could be the thing!”

On this episode of The Wealthy Speaker Podcast, we are delighted to welcome back one of my shining stars—a former client and friend, Trent Theroux —to share his incredible journey, from the corner office as a CFO of a major corporation to gracing stages full-time.

Trent was a Chief Financial Officer, a graduate school professor of business strategy, a small-business coach and finished runner-up at the 2024 NSA National Storytelling Competition. He was recognized by Sports Illustrated for his record-breaking 41-mile swim around Newport, Rhode Island.

Highlights you won’t want to miss:

How Trent became a speaker. [1:00]
The criteria for leaving corporate. [4:00]
Overcoming the fear of selling. [8:00]
How to approach decision makers. [11:00]
Winning at NSA. [15:00]
Coming attractions. [20:30]
Making a comeback. [25:00]
Not finishing isn’t failing. [31:00]

Following an accident which left him paralyzed, Trent created a foundation through the Spaulding Center in Boston to provide durable medical goods for those with spinal cord injuries. Trent funds the foundation by completing marathon swims, most recently by swimming 20 miles across Block Island Sound from Montauk, New York to Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island.

Trent energizes rooms and educates audiences with compelling stories, actionable insights, and a dynamic presence that inspires resilience, leadership, and transformative growth.

If you are thinking about giving up your day job and making speaking your full-time gig, you simply can’t afford to miss this episode!

I hope you’ll listen and learn.