Weldon Long is an expert in personal responsibility: a dynamic entrepreneur that broke a 20-year cycle of prison, poverty and addiction and grew an Inc. 5000 company with $20 million in sales in just five years. He is now inspiring greatness in others and sharing a powerful four-step process with them that he developed while in prison, teaching them how to overcome any obstacle they might face in life and achieve their dreams.

"This book comes from a magnificent person who learned the lessons of life out of profound prison experiences. Despite the harsh language, Wally Long is a true diamond in the rough who produced this inspiring and illuminating account of the path he took to freedom and prosperity."

Stephen R. Covey -- Author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time

"At 39 years old I had spent 13 years, nearly my entire adult life, living in a box, separated from civilization by concrete walls and razor wire. I was a three-time loser, alcoholic, high school drop-out and didn't have a dime to my name. I suppose you could say I was less than a long shot. And none of it was my fault or so I thought."

Weldon's new book, The Upside of Fear, jumped to #35 on Amazon.com... #1 in the Memoirs/Criminals section while receiving five-star reviews from top critics. It also reached #1 on BarnesAndNoble.com in their Business Biography section and won a spot on the American Bookseller's Association's Indie Next List for October. This riveting memoir of brutal crime and prison time has been praised by both Dr. Stephen Covey and Tony Robbins and has already been awarded by the New York Book Festival and the Hollywood Book Festival.

"Quite a story, Weldon. Congratulations on your turnaround from prison to contribution!"

Tony Robbins -- International Bestselling Author and World's Foremost Life Transformation Coach

Weldon does more than talk about overcoming obstacles and achieving success in life and business... he lives it every day. With humor and drama he also moves others to radically improve their personal and professional lives. His edgy, yet likeable style, gives participants the motivation and practical tools necessary to get what they want out of life.

It was in 1996, after his father died, that Weldon decided to change everything about his life. "My father's last memory of me was that I was in prison... again. I had abandoned my three-year-old son and completely destroyed my life and anyone else's life that had the misfortune of being involved with mine." During the next seven years, while incarcerated in federal and state prisons, he tried an experiment. "I decided to read every personal development book I could find and do what they said. Let's face it, I didn't have the luxury of being a skeptic - I had NOTHING to lose."

In 2003, Weldon stepped out of prison without a dime to his name, and within five years he achieved emotional and financial prosperity for the first time in his life. All his dreams of success came true, including beautiful homes in the mountains of Colorado and on the island of Maui. Despite dropping out of high school in the ninth grade, Mr. Long now holds a BS in Law and an MBA in Management.

Getting an audience excited is only the beginning. "Once I get them excited, it's my responsibility to show them HOW to leverage that emotion and TAKE ACTION, says Long. My goal is to get people to STOP MAKING EXCUSES and get them to START DOING SOMETHING! If I help a person realize they can achieve anything, but fail to provide the necessary tools, I have failed as a speaker. And if I fail as a speaker, I shouldn't get paid. With this results-oriented attitude, Long has ushered in his Risk Reversal speaking model. He guarantees results by offering a 100% refund of his speaking fee if clients aren't convinced they received their money's worth.

Weldon's new book, The Upside of Fear: How One Man Broke the Cycle of Prison, Poverty and Addiction is published by The Greenleaf Book Group and is available in bookstores nationwide and on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.

Other Testimonials:

"Long's true-life story is living proof of what can happen when you accelerate past weakness and fear for long-term peak performance and alignment in life and business."

Vince Poscente -- Author of The Age of Speed, New York Times Bestseller

"Weldon Long's story is a well-written, fast-flowing, self-propelled tragedy to triumph. I couldn't put it down! There are times we all need a kick in the butt to appreciate what we have and to dream bigger and he gives it to us with a steel-toed boot. Well done Wally... I am a fan!"

Jane Atkinson -- Author, The Wealthy Speaker

"My company brought Weldon in as a "kick off" to our 2009 fiscal year... his story and communication approach (was) very motivating to my entire organization (sales, service and customer service). My entire team was moved and motivated by Weldon's story and style."

Patrick O'Donnell -- Branch Manager, Patterson Dental - Omaha

"Your true-life story is an inspiration and a huge encouragement. Your hopeful message is a powerful one that people from all walks of life need to hear and your insights and applications will certainly change willing hearts and lives."

Jarle Wood -- Senior Program Manager, ComCor, Inc., Colorado Springs